Hackney Dudes Seeks Donations for Men Over 50 2026

Key Points

• Hackney Dudes, a group supporting men over 50 struggling with loneliness and isolation in Hackney, is appealing for donations to sustain weekly sessions and activities.​
• Run by MRS Independent Living since 2019, the group addresses a gap in provision for older men in the borough.​
• Project lead Vicky Harrison stated the group formed “in response to a high incidence of men over 50 who reported feeling socially isolated” with some feeling “disinclined” to attend existing services.​
• Member Stephen Adams joined after his wife’s dementia diagnosis and said it has had a major impact on his life, helping him “keep occupied and meet people.”​
• Donations are sought via a Kindlink fundraising page to continue and expand work, with specific impacts outlined: “£50 will pay for 16 discount tickets to visit the Tower of London with packed lunch. £500 will pay for 50 men to enjoy a seaside day trip with fish and chips. £5,000 would fund six months of weekly Friday drop-ins for 40 men, including lunch, refreshments, food donations and advice worker support.”​
• Activities shaped around men’s interests include bi-weekly outings, music group and band, art group, and weekly Friday drop-ins at Dalston Curve Garden.
• Typical Friday session involves “chatting and joking, sharing stories and ideas,” help with computers, food sharing, and planning.​
• The drop-in offers hot drinks and vegetarian lunch for up to 40 men in a “peaceful green oasis tucked away on Dalston Lane.”​
• Common issues: loneliness, isolation, living alone, decreasing communal spaces, accessing support, navigating digitised services.​
• Adams attends art group and Dudes Band, performing “regular gigs at community events and care homes.”​
• Surprising connections include friendships and three men travelling to India together.​
• The group meets weekly in real life and on Zoom, with art group, electronics club, fortnightly trips; open for new referrals from February 2025.​
• During pandemic, Dalston Curve Garden provided outdoor space; volunteer Rene (97) is key at drop-ins.
• Past funding: £60,100 from City Bridge Foundation for expansion.​
• Giles Shilson, City Bridge Foundation Chairman, called it a “real success story” enabling creative benefits.​
• Vicky Harrison noted men form bonds, talk openly in all-male setting.​

Hackney (East London Times) February 14, 2026 – A Hackney group supporting older men who are struggling with loneliness and isolation is appealing for donations to sustain its weekly sessions and activities.​

Hackney Dudes, run by MRS Independent Living, was set up in 2019 after organisers noticed a gap in provision for men over 50 in the borough. The project now seeks £50,000 via a Kindlink fundraising page to save vital Friday meetups at Dalston Curve Garden from April 2026 and expand operations.

Project lead Vicky Harrison said the group was formed “in response to a high incidence of men over 50 who reported feeling socially isolated” with some feeling “disinclined” to attend existing services in the borough. Stephen Adams, who joined after his wife was diagnosed with dementia, said it has had a major impact on his life, allowing him to “keep occupied and meet people.”​

What is Hackney Dudes and Why Was It Created?

Hackney Dudes is a social club for older men living in or near Hackney who want to meet others, explore London, and experience new things together. As detailed on the MRS Independent Living website, the group meets weekly in real life and on Zoom, offering activities tailored to members’ interests.​

Vicky Harrison, Hackney Dudes project lead, explained that the initiative addresses high levels of social isolation among men over 50. In a statement reported by the East London Times, Harrison said:

“social interaction and humour are at the heart of everything.”

The organisation, a user-led independent charity working with disadvantaged communities in north-east London, identifies technical solutions and innovative services.

Who Runs Hackney Dudes and What Activities Does It Offer?

MRS Independent Living coordinates Hackney Dudes, providing services like peer support to reduce isolation among older men. Activities include bi-weekly outings, such as trips to the Cutty Sark (pictured by Vicky Harrison), a music group and band, an art group, and an electronics club.

Every Friday, the group hosts an informal drop-in at Dalston Curve Garden, described by Harrison as “a peaceful green oasis tucked away on Dalston Lane.” During sessions, men are often “chatting and joking, sharing stories and ideas,” while others help with computers or devices, share food donations, and “make plans for the week together.” Hot drinks and a healthy vegetarian lunch serve up to 40 men.​

Stephen Adams attends the art group and Dudes Band, where they “perform regular gigs at community events and care homes.” The group is pleased to be back open for new referrals as of February 2025, with Vicky Harrison available on 07957 432098.​

Why Are Donations Needed for Hackney Dudes?

The group is seeking donations via a fundraising page on Kindlink to continue and expand its work amid funding challenges. Harrison outlined specific impacts:

“£50 will pay for 16 discount tickets to visit the Tower of London with packed lunch. £500 will pay for 50 men to enjoy a seaside day trip with fish and chips. £5,000 would fund six months of weekly Friday drop-ins for 40 men, including lunch, refreshments, food donations and advice worker support.”​

This appeal aims to raise £50k to secure Friday meetups from April 2026. Previously, the group received £60,100 from City Bridge Foundation – London’s biggest independent charity funder – enabling expansion like the weekly art group.

What Challenges Do Hackney Dudes Members Face?

Organisers say the most common issues include loneliness and isolation, with many living alone. This aligns with broader concerns like decreasing communal spaces, difficulty accessing support, and challenges navigating digitised services.​

As Vicky Harrison told Charity Today,

“A lot of the men when they first come here are quite shy and awkward but they soon start forming bonds and making friends, and that extends outside the group – they get together and do stuff themselves.”

She added:

“They are really sensitive to each other’s wellbeing and find it easier to talk about any issues they have because it’s an all-male group. We create an environment where they feel safe and can be open. It has a big impact on their lives.”​

How Has Hackney Dudes Impacted Its Members?

Stephen Adams, who was a carer for his wife when he joined, said he was happy he found Hackney Dudes. The East London Times reported Adams stating it helps him “keep occupied and meet people,” and he participates in the art group and band performances.​

Harrison highlighted “incredibly heartening” friendships, including three men who met at the Dudes and went travelling to India together recently. Giles Shilson, City Bridge Foundation Chairman, described it as a “real success story, having grown over the past decade into a thriving community where men come together, socialise and support each other,” with funding enabling “physical and mental benefits of getting creative in a stunning urban oasis.”

What is the Role of Volunteers in Hackney Dudes?

Volunteers play a crucial role, with 97-year-old Rene celebrated as “the heart of Hackney Dudes” during Volunteers’ Week 2025 on the MRS Independent Living site. If you’ve visited Friday drop-ins at Dalston Curve Garden, you’ve likely seen Rene, a long-standing volunteer and honorary Dude.

A video on the MRS site features Dudes and Irene (likely Rene) sharing experiences, produced by Jacob from NG Bailey. During the pandemic, Dalston Curve Garden offered the outdoor venue on an old railway line site, securing the group’s future.

How Can You Support or Join Hackney Dudes?

Donations can be made via the Kindlink page: https://www.kindlink.com/fundraising/MRS-Independent-Living/dudes-2026. To join, use the form on mrsindependentliving.org/hackney-dudes or contact Vicky Harrison on 07957 432098.​

The group welcomes men over 50, with activities like fortnightly trips around Hackney, London, and beyond. MRS Independent Living’s other projects, such as Staying Steady for falls prevention and Digital Confidence, complement this peer support effort.

What is the Future for Hackney Dudes?

With the appeal targeting sustainability, Harrison emphasised the programme’s shape around “learning new things, visiting new places, sharing knowledge and skills.” Recent coverage in SAGAuk sparked discussions on loneliness in men over 50, as noted in a Facebook post by I Love Hackney group.

As a journalist with over a decade in news reporting, this story underscores the vital role of community initiatives in combating isolation amid urban challenges. Hackney Dudes exemplifies targeted support, fostering connections that extend beyond sessions. Full details remain on official sites, ensuring transparency in this ongoing effort.