Drive for more village volunteers to support the elderly

Groups of village volunteers are looking to build on existing neighbourly activities, such as calling on older people in bad weather, to provide a lifeline service to people who feel lonely and isolated.

The importance of such initiatives is being championed by The Yorkshire Post’s Loneliness campaign which has been calling for the issue to be universally recognised as a health priority in our communities since February 2014. Now, charity Rural Action Yorkshire (RAY), is also encouraging more villages to get involved and set up schemes of their own.

Martha Holmes, project co-ordinator for the so-called Good Neighbours schemes, who works for RAY, said: “Good Neighbours can provide a framework that a whole village can get behind. It formalises the process of what many communities are already doing naturally, makes it easier to access help, and is a valuable service for people who are lonely or isolated.

“Help might range from simple things such as changing a lightbulb to more urgent needs such as providing transport to hospital or picking up a prescription from the pharmacy.”

A ‘Community Buddies’ scheme in the village of Scorton, Richmondshire, funded by Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group, provides an elderly persons’ befriending service.

Ian Robinson, the scheme’s chairman, said: “We have brought people together who normally don’t attend village events. It is very rewarding.”

Rural Action Yorkshire is offering advice to people interested in becoming a Good Neighbour, call 0845 313 0270.