Who wants to be a Camden Millionaire? The phone quizzers tackling loneliness and bringing back memories for Camden’s older people
The continued winter lockdown and freezing weather have been tough on people across the UK. Many have sought company and entertainment on Zoom, but for a large number of older people, getting online isn’t an option.
That's why the Ageing Better in Camden team started a very popular phone quiz. Participants are tasked with questions on all things Camden, and it's helping to tackle loneliness and bridge the digital divide.
Eileen Knight, 92, from Kentish Town, lives alone. She remembered the horse and cart that would drop off coal to her childhood home, and the sense of community in Camden during the war.
She said “I keep forgetting things. I was born in Camden, so I thought this quiz might jog my memory.
It’s been fantastic, wonderful, marvellous! When you’ve been sitting talking to yourself all day, suddenly you’re introduced to other people and it’s amazing how much you remember! I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and I can’t wait until the next one. Delightful.”
At the beginning of the first lockdown in 2020 the Ageing Better in Camden Outreach Team made hundreds of phone calls to older people in Camden who were very anxious, making sure they had support with getting food and other essentials.
AnneMarie Desmond, creator of the Who Wants to be a Camden Millionaire quiz and Outreach worker at Ageing Better in Camden said, “Lots of people don’t have access to the internet or Zoom so we wanted to do something that enabled people to come together in groups to share conversation on the telephone.
Because Camden is such an interesting and diverse borough, I had no difficulty coming up with interesting questions. I’ve learnt so much from hearing people share their own anecdotes, information and memories, it’s one of the best things about the quiz.”
One man, who was anxious about joining the quiz because of memory troubles, was delighted about the memories the quiz triggered for him, including fond memories of taking his children to Kentish Town City Farm, the first urban farm in London.
“We’ve been getting phone calls from people telling us how much they enjoyed the quiz, and asking when the next one is,” AnneMarie said.
“They've been passing on our number to friends, it’s just so good that people are able to connect with one another like this.”
Ageing Better in Camden has also teamed up with local organisations including the Third Age Project, Kilburn Older Voices Exchange (KOVE) and Abbey Community Centre to offer the Camden quiz.
Telephone quiz groups will continue during February and March. Get in touch to join the next quiz! Click here for more information or call 0207 239 0400.
Here are a few Camden Quiz questions to whet your appetite. How many of these Camden questions can you answer?
1) The borough of Camden is home to many parks and open spaces. Which of the following is the largest?
A. Regents Park B. Hampstead Heath C. Primrose Hill
2) Which former MP for Hampstead and Highgate, is also an Oscar winning actress?
A. Glenda Jackson B. Judy Dench C. Maggie Smith
3) Kentish Town City Farm helps the people of Camden connect with animals, nature and the environment. It was the first city farm in the UK. In what decade was Kentish Town City Farm established?
A. 1960s B. 1970s C. 1980s
Answers:
Hamstead Heath - The Heath covers nearly 800 acres and has been preserved for the public since 1871. The top of Parliament hill is the highest point in London!
Glenda Jackson - was MP for Hampstead and Highgate from 1992 to 2010 and (following boundary changes) MP for Hampstead and Kilburn from 2010 to 2015. She won two Oscars, one for ‘Women in love’ in 1970 and one for ‘A touch of class’ in 1973.
The farm was established in 1972.