Deeping St Nicholas community rallies to combat rural isolation
A village is fighting back against the threat of rural isolation through a number of community initiatives.
Residents, volunteers and councillors are pulling together through a number of different groups to ensure the people of Deeping St Nicholas can feel safe and welcome in their surroundings.
A Good Neighbour group, Gardening Club, social events and an impressive Neighbourhood Watch scheme – which has seen parts of the village crime free for more than 30 weeks – are among the initiatives connecting locals and giving them a sense of pride in their surroundings.
“There’s a lot of isolation in Deeping St Nicholas, so things like the Neighbourhood Watch and Good Neighbour schemes touches base on that and helps those that are isolated to not feel so isoated,” Coun Debs Croyle explained.
“We have quite a high proportion of elderly people that live in Deeping St Nicholas, but we’re aiming to help everybody in the community, not just the vulnerable.
“All of these things make a difference, it’s about having a presence.”
A Good Neighbour Scheme, similar to ones operating elsewhere in the area, sees volunteers help other villagers with important tasks such as the shopping or prescription runs.
“It allows them occasional help. It allows them to live safely and with the knowledge they have support in the community,” added Coun Croyle, who also launched the Gardening Club during the Covid pandemic in a bid to bring people together in a safe outdoor setting.
Working those green fingers has paid off as communal areas have been spruced up and 19 planters can be spotted around the area, including on the A1175 which dissects the village.
“We asked ‘how do we feel like a community instead of making people feel more isolated?” Coun Croyle continued.
“Well, with gardening we can, and it’s out in the fresh air. You get the community part, the friendship part and you’re actually creating something.
“It’s just grown. We get more volunteers now.”
The Chatter and Natter table is a regular event which brings residents together to get to know one another and get important information.
“It’s encouraging the vulnerable and elderly and single mums, anybody who feels they need help or a chat,” said Coun Rob Jarvis, who is also behind the Neighbourhood Watch scheme and launched a longstanding Facebook group to help locals connect.
“We try to get different agencies in, benefits agencies, Age Concern, South Lincs Community Connect, things like that, to come and meet us.
“It’s about getting everything out there.
“For a little parish with little funding, what’s being achieved is amazing and it’s all about the community working together and volunteers giving up their time.”
