South Holland Good Neighbour Schemes set to spring up across area

A volunteer-run community service bringing "hope, care and compassion" to the elderly, lonely and vulnerable is set for rapid expansion across South Holland.

At least three Good Neighbour Schemes (GNS) are being considered for the area, with two ready to start as soon as next month.

East Elloe, serving Holbeach, Long Sutton and Sutton Bridge, has volunteers in training, while a survey of villagers in Surfleet has taken place and the results are due to be analysed on Friday.

There are also talks about setting up a GNS team in Spalding and a virtual meeting was held on Thursday to set up a working group whose members will develop the idea.

Val Gemmell, a working group member, said: "A lot of people in the South Holland area have already received GNS survey forms and the working group is to send out a survey to all residents in Spalding very shortly.

"We're hoping for a good response so we can set up a GNS team with volunteers in Spalding."

Coun Elizabeth Sneath, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing at South Holland District Council, said: "I fully support the suggestion of a Good Neighbour Scheme in Spalding.

"Offering time as a volunteer, giving practical help, befriending and being compassionate to our neighbours is very rewarding.

"The creation of such a group will be a lasting legacy of life during the 2020 lockdown when volunteer groups did such marvellous work delivering food packages, prescriptions and hope to so many residents."

GNS volunteers help people with transport to GP and dental appointments, shopping and prescription collections, dog walking, letter writing and home visits.

Michael Morris, chairman of trustees for health and wellbeing charity Tonic Health and one of the working group for the Surfleet scheme, said: "A survey went out to local residents through the parish magazine and the results have just come back.

"The working party has a meeting on Friday to go through the results of the survey, but we've been fortunate because the National Lottery COVID-19 Fund has given us a grant.

"This includes six months of funding for a coordinator towards the GNS and we hope to be up and running, under the banner of Tonic Health where we've got most things in place, at the beginning of November."

Another GNS group set to start next month is East Elloe which has been in development since February.

Father Jonathan Sibley, the group's chairman, said: "We're interviewing a number of volunteers after a survey showed that people have appreciated the help provided by COVID groups in the area.

"We're also hoping to promote a number of people who have been involved in those groups, fast-tracking them through safeguarding course and training so we can start GNS as soon as possible.

"Once we get clearance, we're hoping to launch the group at the beginning of November. as it will provide a lot of hope, care and compassion for the community."