Hackney Dudes Seeks £50k Donations for Older Men Support 2026

Key Points

• Hackney Dudes, a social group supporting vulnerable, isolated, or unsupported men over 50 in Hackney, meets every Friday at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden.
• The group, run by MRS Independent Living, currently has no funding secured beyond March 2026 and requires £50,000 to continue operations from April 2026 onwards.​
• A spokesperson for MRS Independent Living stated: “We are therefore seeking to raise £50k to secure this years’ weekly meet ups at the Dalston Curve Garden. Please help this vital men’s group to secure its future.”​
• The group combats loneliness, anxiety, and depression by offering a space for socialising, building friendships, and accessing peer and professional support.​
• One member said: “There’s no doubt about it. It gives you some kind of hope. Especially when you are alone. It makes a big difference. You have got someone with you. I have made friends here.”​
• Weekly sessions welcome around 40 men for a free lunch and activities; additional funding would support the popular day trip programme.​
• Spin-off activities include a short mat bowling club, a weekly arts and crafts group, and the Hackney Dudes Community Band.​
• MRS Independent Living is a user-led independent charity in north-east London, focusing on disadvantaged and socially excluded communities with services like peer support for older men.​
• Dalston Eastern Curve Garden serves as a vital public green space in Hackney, promoting community gathering, combating isolation, and providing health benefits.​
• The group also runs Zoom sessions, an art group, electronics club, and fortnightly trips around Hackney and London.​
• New referrals are open as of February 2025; contact Vicky Harrison, Project Lead, on 07957 432098.​
• Past funding has enabled expansions, such as from City Bridge Foundation, allowing more activities at the “urban oasis.”​

Hackney (East London Times) February 10, 2026 – A cherished social group for older men in Hackney is urgently appealing for public donations to avert closure after March 2026. Hackney Dudes, operated by MRS Independent Living, supports vulnerable men over 50 facing isolation and requires £50,000 to sustain its weekly Friday gatherings at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden.

What Is Hackney Dudes and Who Does It Help?

Hackney Dudes provides essential peer support for men over 50 who are vulnerable, isolated, or unsupported in the community. The group addresses critical mental health challenges like loneliness, anxiety, and depression through socialising, friendship-building, and access to professional help.

As detailed on the MRS Independent Living website, the Dudes meet weekly in real life at Dalston Curve Garden and on Zoom, offering a hot lunch, good times, and diverse interests. Organisers emphasise its role as a social club where men can explore London and try new things together.​

One anonymous member highlighted its transformative impact, stating as reported in initial coverage:

“There’s no doubt about it. It gives you some kind of hope. Especially when you are alone. It makes a big difference. You have got someone with you. I have made friends here.”

Why Does Hackney Dudes Need Donations Now?

The group faces an immediate funding crisis with no resources secured beyond March 2026. A spokesperson for MRS Independent Living, which runs the sessions, explained:

“We are therefore seeking to raise £50k to secure this years’ weekly meet ups at the Dalston Curve Garden. Please help this vital men’s group to secure its future.”​

Without this £50,000, the Friday drop-ins—attended by around 40 men each week for free lunches and activities—risk ending in April. This appeal comes amid broader challenges for community groups in Hackney, where reliance on donations is common due to limited core funding, as seen with organisations like Hackney Society.

MRS Independent Living’s peer support programme specifically targets reducing isolation among older men, part of their wider services including falls prevention and digital confidence training.

Where and When Do Hackney Dudes Meetings Take Place?

Meetings occur every Friday at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, a free-to-enter neighbourhood oasis in one of London’s most built-up areas. Described as providing plants, nature connection, and community gathering, the garden fosters social, economic, environmental, and health benefits while combating isolation.

The social drop-in includes a hot lunch and activities, with around 40 participants weekly. Complementing in-person sessions, the group offers weekly Zoom calls (often with quizzes) for broader accessibility.

Vicky Harrison, Project Lead for Hackney Dudes at MRS Independent Living, can be contacted at 07957 432098 for new referrals, which reopened in February 2025.​

What Activities Does Hackney Dudes Offer?

Beyond core socialising, Hackney Dudes has spawned several spin-off groups from its weekly sessions. These include a short mat bowling club, a weekly arts and crafts group, and the Hackney Dudes Community Band.​

Additional pursuits encompass a Dudes art group, electronics club, and fortnightly trips around Hackney, London, and beyond. With extra funding, organisers aim to revive and expand the popular day trip programme, enhancing outings for members.

As noted in coverage of prior expansions, new funding—like from City Bridge Foundation—has previously enabled growth in activities at this “urban oasis.” A video on the MRS site features Dudes and volunteer Irene sharing experiences, produced by Jacob from NG Bailey.

How Has Hackney Dudes Impacted Its Members?

Participants report profound benefits, with the group instilling hope and combating solitude. The member’s quote underscores its value:

“It makes a big difference. You have got someone with you.”​

By strengthening social networks, it aligns with MRS Independent Living’s mission for disadvantaged communities in north-east London, including Gillett Square in Dalston. The garden’s role as an urban wildlife corridor and creative space further amplifies these gains.

Testimonials in a dedicated video highlight direct voices, reinforcing the group’s role in building confidence and connections.​

Who Runs Hackney Dudes and What Is Their Background?

MRS Independent Living, a user-led charity, manages the group as part of its peer support services. They develop innovative solutions for socially excluded individuals, evaluating against user needs.​

Other projects include Staying Steady (falls prevention in City and Hackney), Making Room (decluttering for hoarders), Side by Side (advice for complex issues), and Digital Confidence for older people. Outreach focuses on areas like Gillett Square, building trust via word-of-mouth referrals.

The charity supplied this information via NHS directories, updated as of November 2025.​

What Is the Role of Dalston Eastern Curve Garden?

This vital green space in Dalston’s heart offers respite amid urban density. It hosts the Dudes’ drop-ins, promoting volunteering, year-round activities, and barrier-breaking engagement.​

Despite past threats from council “regeneration” plans—including potential carve-up in the Dalston Cultural Quarter—the garden persists as a community asset. Its inclusion in Hackney’s DAAP acknowledges it as a successful model for open spaces.​

Has Hackney Dudes Received Funding Before?

Yes, prior support has sustained and expanded operations. City Bridge Foundation, London’s largest independent funder, backed activity growth, as reported in their news.​

Charity Today covered how this enabled more at the “urban oasis.” MRS notes reopening referrals in February 2025, implying recent viability. Hackney Giving’s history shows similar donation drives for local crises.

How Can the Public Donate to Hackney Dudes?

The appeal urges contributions to hit the £50,000 target. Contact MRS Independent Living via their site or Vicky Harrison directly.

While specific donation links aren’t detailed in sources, community appeals like Hackney Society’s Gift Aid model suggest tax-efficient giving. Supporters are encouraged to help secure weekly meet-ups.

Why Is Support for Groups Like Hackney Dudes Crucial in Hackney?

Hackney faces green space deficiencies and isolation risks, making initiatives like this indispensable. Dalston Curve Garden combats these as a free public haven.

Amid cost-of-living pressures, donation reliance is widespread, as Hackney Giving distributed £15,000 in 2022. MRS’s targeted work fills gaps for excluded groups.

Sustaining Hackney Dudes ensures continued mental health support, friendships, and community vibrancy for older men.