Wellbeing and connection through time spent together – Masbro Elders Project
We spoke with Tina from the Masbro Elders Project about the group’s long-term involvement in our community programme. She reflects on the variety of activities we’ve developed together and how they have helped support members’ wellbeing while opening up opportunities for learning and connection.
“I manage the Masbro Elders Project, we run a programme of events, outings and activities, including lifelong learning programmes for older people in Hammersmith and Fulham. I am responsible for devising and delivering the programme. We like to have a balance of activities and events including health and wellbeing sessions, lifelong learning, opportunities for people to expand their knowledge and provide access to culture and leisure.
It has been a wonderful and a long‑lasting association and extremely beneficial to our elders. We have been invited to participate in such a wonderful range of workshops.
“I first approached Chiswick House just before the previous outreach lead, Harvinder, started in her role. We were very fortunate to be one of the first community groups involved in her programmes and projects. It has been a wonderful and a long‑lasting association and extremely beneficial to our elders. We have been invited to participate in such a wonderful range of workshops.
“We started with a mental health wellbeing programme. The sessions involved going out into the garden and drawing plants and flowers through the seasons and reflecting on the five ways of wellbeing. In one of the sessions we made mandalas using petals, leaves, buds and flowers from the garden. The grain project was incredible, watching a variety of grains growing from seedlings to harvesting and grinding corn to make bread. Lauren, one of the gardeners, conveyed her passion for the importance of planting indigenous grains and seeds and resisting the takeover of monoculture. It really opened people’s eyes to what they eat, why they eat it, and the global influences on food. It was an incredible programme.
The learning process has been fantastic because these were not just one‑off sessions. It allowed people to experience something new and provided an opportunity to learn and develop skills. That is hugely valuable and makes a real impact.
“Another memorable project was planting a tea garden. We were involved from the very beginning and then had the privilege of visiting over the months and seeing the plants growing and developing. Harvesting the first crop of leaves and petals and making an assortment of teas from these was very special. We also took part in a wonderful Indian block printing project. The learning process has been fantastic because these were not just one‑off sessions. It allowed people to experience something new and provided an opportunity to learn and develop skills. That is hugely valuable and makes a real impact.
Our members love coming to Chiswick House and Gardens, knowing they will experience high-quality sessions, skilled facilitation and engaging materials. That trust is essential in community work, where participation depends on people feeling welcome and inspired.
Recently we’ve got to know the new Community Lead, Emily Grassi, who invited our group to participate in a wonderful healthy Cook & Eat session with Manju Malhi and take part in an inspiring festive wreath-making workshop to round off 2025.
“The ongoing nature of the engagement has been especially valuable. Short-term projects often struggle to create meaningful impact, whereas long-term collaboration enables relationships and trust to grow. Our members love coming to Chiswick House and Gardens, knowing they will experience high-quality sessions, skilled facilitation and engaging materials. That trust is essential in community work, where participation depends on people feeling welcome and inspired.
Many of our elders live on their own. The opportunity to come together over food, making or discovering is crucial. People need to feel they have had a lovely day out, chatted with someone, learnt something new and broken bread with others.
“A big part of the impact is combating isolation and loneliness. Many of our elders live on their own. The opportunity to come together over food, making or discovering is crucial. People need to feel they have had a lovely day out, chatted with someone, learnt something new and broken bread with others. That is a big part of why we are funded and a big part of our success is thanks to organisations such as yours who open the door and invite us in.
“Your funders need to know about the fantastic work you are doing. The artists and creatives you bring in are wonderful. It always feels from the heart and very generous. We have been extremely fortunate to take part in all of it.”
