Call-out boosts Whitchurch Good Neighbours

Published: 18th Jun, 2019

 

People in Whitchurch have stepped up to support a community group which had only one volunteer.

‘Good Neighbours’ groups are run by local people who want to offer a helping hand to those in their community who are housebound or lonely.

The scheme in Whitchurch was set up by Shropshire RCC after we identified a need for befriending support in the area, but it only had one person to deliver it.

We put a callout last December to find more people who could spare some free time to spend with local people to prevent them from becoming isolated or lonely.

As a result, the group now has five volunteers out in the community, with two more in training.

Development Officer Lisa Darkin said: “We were delighted with the response from people in Whitchurch when we let them know that the Good Neighbours group needed more volunteers.

“The types of tasks our volunteers do are all pretty simple – collecting shopping, changing a light bulb, popping round for a cup of tea – but they make a massive difference to the people they’re helping.”

Ian Macleod was the first person to respond to our callout and has been visiting local resident Tom for around six months.

He said: “I have been looking at what I can do to give a little back now that I’m semi-retired and Good Neighbours seemed like the perfect opportunity.

“I love meeting new people and listening to their stories and Tom has so many wonderful stories to share, I need to take a notebook to write them all down!”

There are currently 10 Good Neighbours schemes across Shropshire including Wem and Craven Arms.

If you have at least an hour to spare a week and would like to find out more about being a Good Neighbour, contact Daphne Simmons on 01743 360641 or email daphne.simmons@shropshire-rcc.org.uk