– new initiative launched in South Lakes and Furness
to help those in need
The Oaklea Trust
is pleased to announce their ‘Good Neighbours’ scheme; a new initiative for
people in South Lakes and Furness. The scheme is being launched after
being awarded additional funding by the Cumbria Third Sector Consortium (C3C);
part of the Neighbourhood Care Independence Programme.
The ‘Good
Neighbours’ programme offers a service in the community for those in need of
help and support which cannot be supplied through Social and Health care.
It is aimed at those who may be vulnerable or at risk of becoming vulnerable
i.e. older people, people with disabilities, single parents and young mothers,
people temporarily in need through illness or anyone who may be isolated in the
community.
Activities in
the ‘Good Neighbours’ programme include befriending and companionship, shopping,
general housework, long term home support, dog walking, gardening, driving
beneficiaries to medical appointment and offering information about local
sources of help.
The Project
Leader for the programme is Sarah Thornborrow. Her role is to establish
and manage a team of ‘Volunteer Visitors’ and identify beneficiaries who would
welcome this support. Sarah comments,
“Oaklea Good
Neighbours is a really unique project which puts people together - those who
need a little helping hand and those who can regularly spare a few hours to
volunteer.
There are so
many things we take for granted, like making a cup of tea, tidying the garden,
picking up a few groceries from the shops or just doing the laundry.
Imagine if you weren’t able to do this, through illness or incapacity, or if
you were recuperating from a stay in hospital, who could you rely on?
Giving up a little time and helping could make a huge difference to someone in
your local community”
 |
| Good Neighbour Project Coordinator Sarah Thornborrow and Pam Pattinson - Volunteer |
