Volunteer needed to run Good Neighbour Scheme covering Long Sutton, Sutton Bridge and Tydd
A volunteer is needed to be the figurehead of a community support network.
The East Elloe Good Neighbour Scheme is on the hunt for a volunteer co-ordinator to lead its work in the area.
The group helps fetch groceries and medicines, offer lifts to social events and provides a friendly ear for a chat.
The people helped might be elderly or recovering from an operation.
The East Elloe group covers an area including Long Sutton, Sutton Bridge and Tydd as well as south Lincolnshire communities Holbeach, Moulton, Moulton Chapel and Fleet.
The scheme has a team of five volunteers who field phone calls from those in need and about 25 ‘task volunteers’ who can carry out jobs on their behalf.
The co-ordinator would help that team to run smoothly and arrange for checks and paperwork for any new volunteers who join the team.
Katy Gale, area officer of Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service who sits on the good neighbour committee, explained: “It’s a service for the vulnerable people in the community that are still living in their own homes but are sometimes unable to do tasks or are lonely or isolated.”
She added: “We are trying to build that stronger network of neighbours and small communities - it’s looking really good.”
A series of Good Neighbour groups have been set up across the area in recent times to fulfil a social need.
They pick up people who would otherwise ‘slip through the net’ because they don’t have a specific health need that qualifies them for support from a charity support network.
They also ensure that people can access social clubs and groups by providing transport - complementing the South Holland Parish Voluntary Car Scheme, which looks after getting people to medical appointments.
The ideal candidate for the unpaid co-ordinator role should be computer literate, well organised, a good communicator and confident enough to lead a team of volunteers.
They will also be required to be part of the committee and attend quarterly meetings.
To apply - or find out more information - call Katy Gale on 07508 950438 or ring safeguarding lead Claire Symons 07584 341268.
