Good Neighbours Scheme

Kirkby Stephen and Upper Eden Good Neighbours Scheme – Helping to make a difference to your day!

What’s it all about?

Our scheme was launched in 2016. The scheme is co-ordinated by The Community and Council Centre Staff at Kirkby Stephen Local Links and all the ‘help’ from the scheme is delivered by our fantastic team of dedicated volunteers.

All our volunteers are interviewed, DBS checked and have gone through our scheme training before going out into the community and assisting with requests for help.

The objective of our Good Neighbours Scheme is to provide a local service, to residents of Kirkby Stephen and the surrounding rural parishes, and offer help with the ‘little things’, jobs and small tasks that other organisations are unable to help with, due to limited time, resources or funding.

The day to day struggles of life, however small, can have such an impact on the overall well being and happiness of an individual. Having a little help, from a Good Neighbour, could really make a difference to someone’s day.

Since our scheme launched, we have helped with a diverse range of tasks and fulfilled a number of requests for help.   We have had volunteers living in Kirkby Stephen, Nateby, Soulby, Hartley, Winton, Wharton, Brough, North Stainmore and Warcop. Our volunteers have helped clients in who live in Kirkby Stephen, Soulby, Brough, Nateby, Warcop, Great Musgrave, Brough Sowerby, Newbiggin-on-Lune, Winton and Crosby Garrett. Here are some examples of the help we have given:
befriending, path clearing, book delivery, prescription collection, shopping, practical inside jobs, help with using TV, accessing home equipment, reading the paper, accompanying to a group and made plenty of cups of tea!!

There is no specific area of help or support that our scheme offers. We have a team of fantastic volunteers, happy to help with a variety of small tasks and eager to meet new people in the area they can chat and listen too. Whatever your needs, however small, give us a call,  we will do our best to assist with your request for help or find you the specialist support you needs.

How can we help?

If  you are struggling to get out and about or need something collecting, fixing, clearing or sorting or if you would like a regular visit and a catch up with a Good Neighbour, get in touch: 017683 71775.

Also if you need something doing, inside or outside your home, and struggling to find the right person to call, get in touch. We may be able to offer some help from a Good Neighbour or find you the specialist or professional you need, to get the job done!.

Who we help?

Anyone over 18, who needs help, living in Kirkby Stephen and the surrounding area.

When we can help?

Our scheme operates during the staffed hours of Kirkby Stephen Community and Council Centre, currently Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9 am – 3 pm, however other hours may be available in special circumstances.

How does the scheme work?

To access help from the scheme, telephone our main contact number: 017683 71775.
Ask to speak to the Duty Officer of the Good Neighbours Scheme
The Duty Officer will take some basic information from you, discuss the nature of help you need and then assign a suitable volunteer, who can help with your request.
The Duty Officer will liaise with the assigned volunteer and co-ordinate the help required, whether it is a home visit, collection, accompanying you to an appointment or a regular visit.
All our volunteers are DBS checked.
Home visits are usually for 30 minutes however longer volunteer sessions can be arranged for specific needs.
All requests for help must go through the scheme Duty Officer on the main number, whether it is a first time request or repeat/regular visit.

Who else can access help from the scheme?

We are happy to respond to request or referrals from friends, family members or care providers. If you are supporting and helping others, or aware of someone who would benefit from the help our good neighbour scheme can offer, please do get in touch, maybe we could assist with the support and help you are currently offering.

How to contact us:

Telephone: 017683 71775 Email: [email protected]