Good Neighbour schemes vary from place to place, but basically volunteers offer help out in their local community. A good neighbour may help if someone has been ill, or recently come out of hospital, or has a sick child.
Good neighbour volunteers can offer to do as much or as little as they wish, at times that are convenient to them. Each volunteer decides what they would like to offer through their local group. This could include:
- Visiting and befriending
- Help in the garden
- Writing letters, form filling
- Transport
- Changing light bulbs, fuses
- Basic DIY
- Sitting for carers
- Emergency meals
- Collecting prescriptions, shopping
- Changing library books
- Giving someone a 'Good Morning' telephone call
- Dog walking
There may be a group already operating in your area that may not be called 'Good Neighbours', but may be glad of your help. If your area does not have such a group, you may want to talk to your friends or other local people with a view to starting your own local group.
You will need to decide how much time you can spare and how often. You will also need to think about the sort of expertise you can provide, such as typing, or computer skills that could be useful.
To find out more, call the Care Development Worker for Shrewsbury and Atcham, North Shropshire and Oswestry, Sophie Griffiths, on 01743 342162 or Daphne Simmons (Shrewsbury and Atcham, Bridgnorth and South Shropshire) on 01743 342161.
This page was last updated on: 12th April 2006