By 1977, KNA was making its presence known at community events. The Queen’s Jubilee fête on Kew Green included a busy “White Elephant” stall that raised funds for improvements around the area. Leafleting became huge too — more than 5,500 leaflets were delivered by volunteers and the Townmead Youth Club, spreading the word about the help available and drawing in more neighbours willing to lend a hand.

Some of the horticultural students at Kew Gardens regularly donated spare vegetables from their gardens, which volunteers delivered to local kitchens — earthy carrots, potatoes, and cabbages that were well-received by residents. KNA’s early jumble sales were another lifeline, held at St Peter’s Hall and local fairs, raising money through cakes, jams, and donated items. These small, steady efforts kept the young Association afloat and visible in the community.

As KNA grew, so did the depth of support offered. By the mid-1980s, many volunteers were helping the same client regularly, arranging weekly shopping or drives. The Befrienders group formed, offering companionship to people living alone, and St Luke’s School House became a base for volunteers to meet during the week. Despite juggling childcare and work, volunteers kept the “day book” updated and the requests flowing smoothly — a real act of commitment to local people.

Volunteers spent countless hours driving residents to hospital appointments, supporting families in crisis and responding to last-minute requests for help. Their dedication travelled thousands of miles through the streets of Kew.
A generous anonymous donation allowed KNA to create one of its earliest safety schemes: personal care-line alarms for older and vulnerable residents, providing reassurance at the press of a button. Further support from local charities strengthened the service even more.
What began as neighbourly goodwill steadily grew into a community organisation woven through with kindness and practical care.

As new families moved into Kew, many felt a growing gap in community spirit. Elderly residents needed support, and younger ones longed for connection. The group decided to form a non-political, non-denominational organisation where neighbours could look out for each other — the simple belief that everyone should feel part of a caring community.

Tina Wood first imagined each road having its own “helper” — someone neighbours could call in times of need. The idea quickly grew. By the end of 1976, there were ten helpers, and soon enough, Kew and North Sheen came under the umbrella of one name: Kew Neighbourhood Association.

Reverend Roger Lamont of the Barn Church offered KNA a meeting place and chaired early gatherings. On 3rd October 1976, the Association held its inaugural meeting there. By December the following year, around fifty locals gathered for KNA’s very first birthday party — a testament to how quickly neighbourly goodwill had spread.

In the early years, KNA hosted lively discussions — from single-parent family support to public health talks. By 1978, Ros Buckland Wright became the Association’s first true co-ordinator, working from home while raising two children. Her efforts helped KNA grow from a handful of helpers to a trusted community lifeline.