Clun Good Neighbours
Clun Valley Good Neighbours
Clun Valley Good Neighbours Scheme is a registered charity (Charity Number 1057573), established in 1993 in response to the difficulties experienced by many people in our community in getting to local facilities. We were awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service in October 2023. We offer simple practical help and support and have a list of more than 60 volunteers involved in our various activities. Most of our users are frail older adults.
Our helpline (01588 640016) is staffed by a volunteer from 9am to 1pm on weekdays; the number is diverted through to the volunteer’s home telephone number. The telephone coordinator identifies a volunteer appropriate to the task. Most tasks involved driving people to local appointments for instance the local GP surgery, opticians, dentists, chiropodist or collecting or delivering prescriptions. Sometimes we are asked to help with local shopping, dog walking or other practical tasks or for local information.
In addition to the helpline, Good Neighbours is also the umbrella organisation for Good Friends befriending service and the Clun Friendly Cafe which meets on alternate Friday afternoons at Haslehurst. All are welcome for chat, tea and cake to this popular event. There is a monthly Digital Drop In at the Cafe where anyone can come along with a problem with a smartphone, tablet or PC and receive advice.
We hold indemnity insurance for our volunteers, all of whom have enhanced DBS checks when required by their activity. Our budget normally is about £700 per annum, being the costs of our phone line and indemnity insurance.
We have high levels of activity in our 3 volunteer groups.
Shropshire’s Community Resource provide arms length support over matters of policy and funding.
We have three committee meetings a year to update our handbook, organise the AGM and discuss relevant issues.
Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Chrissie Verduyn, Chair for more information. The Good Neighbours Committee welcomes any other suggestions about how we can support our community.
Committee: Deborah Fox(chair), Chrissie Verduyn ( secretary), Carys Palmer (treasurer), Jane Kent (rota organiser), Mary Eminson (Good Friends), Joan Kerry (handbook), Judy Maund (data collection), Helen Vaughan and Janet Tudor.
Helpline: 01588 640016
Interested in volunteering? New volunteers are always very welcome. You can do as much or as little as you like. It’s a great way to meet people in the community. We are particularly keen to recruit Good Friends (training and support provided; contact Mary Eminson meminson@btinternet.com). For further information contact Chrissie Verduyn chrissie.verduyn@btinternet.com.