Good Neighbours Schemes

This is a great way to get involved with your community in a very flexible capacity, meeting new people across generations and making use of whatever spare time or skills you have to offer. Also this can greatly benefit those in the community who otherwise may not be able to get tasks done alone or stay in their own homes as they get older for instance.

These schemes are usually coordinated by a phone which is held by a group of volunteer ‘Duty Officers’ who match up requests for help, with volunteers who are available. Most schemes cover a defined geographical area such as a parish, town, town, village or neighbourhood.

A Neighbourhood Watch scheme can be set up in a street, group of streets, a block of flats, across a village, in a rural area or in partnership with a Residents Association; there are no hard and fast rules. They suggest that you try to keep it local and engage with neighbours and other local residents. It’s a good way of meeting people and making new friends!