Good Neighbour Schemes making a difference: Tackling isolation in Daventry

Making a difference: Tackling isolation in Daventry District Through Good Neighbour Schemes

A blog from Emma Parry, Community Projects Officer at Daventry District Council

A project or initiative doesn’t have to be large-scale or headline grabbing to make a difference to people’s lives.  Good Neighbour Schemes are all about doing the little things at a local level but having a big impact. The schemes are established and run by local people to provide day-to-day support to other residents in their community who may need help on an occasional or regular basis. Good Neighbour schemes provide a social ‘safety net’ for their village or local area, helping to link residents who may need support with others in their community who can give it. Volunteers complete practical tasks (such as general gardening, changing a light bulb, helping with computer use, shopping, dog walking etc) and/or provide emotional support (befriending).

Northamptonshire ACRE has been working closely with Daventry District Council over the past 18 months to help set up a number of Good Neighbour Schemes in the area and this blog from Emma Parry, shows exactly why they are so effective.  Daventry District Council is keen to help more schemes set up in the area and can provide up to £1,000 per scheme for set up costs! So if your community is in the Daventry district and you would like to know more about them  please contact Emma Parry on [email protected] or phone 01327 302418.

And if you don't live in the Daventry District but would love to know how you could set up a scheme in your community, please contact Rebecca Breakwell on 01604 825884 or email [email protected] for more information.