ON Saturday 13^th September, around thirty users, supporters and invited guests attended the Annual Community Day of the We Care Group, at the Salvation Army Hall on Tendering Road.

 The We Care Group meets every Tuesday morning at the Salvation Army and is led by Harlow’s Anne Wafula Strike MBE PLY, who has an established and well-respected reputation as a Paralympian, speaker, author, and inclusion campaigner.

Anne said, “When the We Care Group was set up it was aimed very much at Harlow’s disabled people, their carers, and their families but increasingly we have broadened the offer to include everyone and anyone experiencing social isolation within the local community. During the pandemic, many people saw the heightened impact on the mental wellbeing of local residents. We discovered that by coming together weekly, supporting one another through networking, and sharing experiences over a cup of tea or coffee we could contribute to reducing isolation. By supporting each other through life’s mental and physical challenges, by sharing our experiences and enjoying each other’s company, We Care has become an effective and respected local group.

The guests at the We Care Group 2025 Annual Community Day included Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Mrs Jackie Sully. Jackie, no stranger to the town, spent her adult life living and working in Harlow. Jackie had a distinguished, 30-year career in the community sector and in 1999 founded the charity Rainbow Services where she remained as CEO until her retirement in 2017. Jackie spoke passionately about the role of grassroot organisations in responding to challenges around Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Another guest speaker was Eve Conway, BBC TV & Radio Broadcaster, and Rotary International Director 2023-25, who told the attentive audience about the work of Rotary, successful Polio Immunisation programmes throughout the world, most recently in war-torn Gaza, and the charity Polio Eradication of which Anne Strike is an ambassador.

Chris Vince, MP, was able to find time in his busy weekend to bring the We Care Group a message of appreciation and of unity, and Harlow Councillor Tony Edwards, a keen champion for disabled and vulnerable people, spoke with warmth about how well-respected the group has become. The words of Ian Beckett, Ambassador for wellbeing charity Kintsugi Hope and a regular visitor to the group, resonated with the ethos and mottos of We Care; he suggested that “We Care” is a name that reflects the true spirit of Harlow’s Community.

Food and Drink was available for all guests and visitors to the event, wonderful music was provided by saxophonist Tony Ardin, and compare Peter Barton provided the glue that held the event together! 

The We Care Group meets on Tuesdays at the Salvation Army Hall on Tendering Road. The group and the venue are safe and accessible. They can be contacted on 01279 441581 or by email on [email protected].