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Shropshire’s Good Neighbours.

We all have times in our lives when we need a little extra help: during an illness, in an emergency, as we grow older, when someone dies, when someone is recently divorced or becomes a single parent. Having a ‘Good Neighbour’ to call on will make life easier. “Good Neighbours” schemes are formed by groups of volunteers with time to spare to offer a helping hand to someone in their community.

What are Good Neighbours Schemes?

Good Neighbours Schemes match people who can give some time with people who need some help.  Lots of people help each other out already but a Good Neighbours Scheme is a way of giving casual help more structure so that:

People who need help don’t feel they’re bothering their neighbours if they need to ask for help frequently.

People who don’t know each other, or who are new to the area, can be matched up to help or be helped.

Help offered by a Good Neighbours Scheme may include?

Each scheme can decide what they want to offer but most lend-a-hand with:

• Lifts
• Collecting shopping or prescriptions
• Small household task or light gardening
• Looking after pets/dog walking
• Simple IT guidance

What are the benefits?

To the person volunteering their time

• You can get involved with your community and do as much or as little as you want. There’s no need to feel awkward if you can’t always help.
• You can meet new people, who you might not have met otherwise, including those from different generations.
• You can make use of whatever time you can spare and you may have particular skills which could be used such as IT or gardening.

To the person being helped

• You can get jobs done that would be difficult for you to do alone.
• You can meet new people, who you might not have met otherwise, including those from a different generation.
• It could help you to stay in your own home as you get older.
• If you live on your own it could give you some company.
• If you’ve lost local services i.e. shop or post office it could lessen the impact.

How would it work?

A co-ordinator (or perhaps more than one) matches requests for help with available volunteers.

We expect most schemes to cover a defined area such as:

• A parish
• A village/small town
• A specific neighbourhood of a larger town
   

What can Shropshire RCC offer?

An overview of how Good Neighbours Schemes work for your community group, residents group or Parish Council.

Guidance on establishing if there’s demand for a Good Neighbours Scheme in your area.

A tool kit, based on national good practice, on how to run a Good Neighbours Scheme.

Assistance to get your Scheme up and running.

Continued support, including an annual get together with other Good Neighbours Schemes to share ideas and tips.

For more information contact Lisa Darkin, E: Lisa.Darkin@shropshire-rcc.org.uk or T: 01743 342162