Community
Volunteers

Volunteer for the Neighbourhood Care Scheme -

Making a difference - Here Now in Hanover It is now over three years since the Neighbourhood Care Scheme was relaunched in Hanover. The Scheme supports older people and people with physical or sensory disabilities by recruiting local volunteers to help them with a variety of tasks, ranging from simple social visiting, through dog walking, doing odd jobs, decorating and gardening, to assistance with form-filling and getting to the shops.

We currently have 16 volunteers in the Hanover area, but we are currently looking for new volunteers who might be able to help:

1. A quiet, housebound lady of 73, who would like someone to visit on Friday mornings.
2. An elderly woman who needs the shrubs in her backyard cutting back.
3. A woman in her forties who has cerebral palsy and lives with her elderly mother; she would like someone to take her out in her wheelchair at the weekend once a fortnight.
4. An elderly blind woman who needs someone to fix her pelmet.
5. An woman of 81 who has lost her confidence after several falls; she would like someone who could keep her company, particularly in the mornings.
6. A man of 71 who lives alone and suffers from emphysema, asthma and arthritis. He cannot get out of his home and would like someone to visit for a chat in the afternoon or evening.
7. A man of 78 who lives alone. He walks with a stick and has wide interests. He would love the stimulation of someone to talk with, and the chance to go out occasionally.
8. A woman of 40 who suffers from eating disorders and diabetes. She would like to share a various activities on a weekly basis with someone who might offer her encouragement.
9. A woman of 65 who is nervous of crowds, who would like someone to go out with her or visit for a chat.
10. A woman of 77 who lives alone. She has glaucoma and cataracts, and after two recent falls cannot go out alone. She would enjoy a chat with someone in the afternoon.
11. A woman on her own whose mobility has been affected by a stroke and who could do with someone to call on her in the morning to see she is OK and do odd-jobs if necessary.
12. A man of 59 who suffers from arthritis and breathing difficulties who would appreciate help with odd-jobs and gardening, and a lift to the shops.
13. A recently widowed woman of 89 who would like to meet a woman of around her own age to share a meal or a chat with, or with whom she could go out to bingo.
14. A woman of 85 who lives on her own, who would like someone to go out with and to help her with odd-jobs and her garden.
15. Two women - aged 66 and 84 - who are friends and live in sheltered accommodation. They would like someone to visit for a chat, or to accompany them on short walks.
16. A man of 72 who has Parkinson's disease who could do with occasional help with odd-jobs and his small garden.
17. A woman of 87 who could with some help with minor DIY jobs around her house.
18. A woman of 86 who is diabetic, and would like someone to pop in once a fortnight to see how she is and perhaps help her with odd-jobs.
19. A woman of 41 who suffers from MS and who could do with assistance with shopping (a driver would be helpful) and a variety of other practical tasks.

These people live in Toronto Terrace, Albion St, Montreal Rd, Wellington Rd, Cobden Rd, Sandown Rd, Elm Grove, Stanley St, Sussex St, Hartington Rd, Hanover Place, Rosehill Terrace, Carlyle St, Grove Hill, Ashton Rise and Bentham Rd. Neighbourhood Care Scheme volunteers can tailor their involvement with the scheme around their working and domestic lives, doing as much or as little as suits them; but the simple neighbourly things they do can make a big impact on the people they assist.

The scheme is able to offer ongoing support and training. One of our volunteers said recently: "In meeting elderly people … I feel not only am I doing something useful, but also gaining wisdom and friendship from these people … The scheme makes it easy to fit in work and volunteering, provides good support and matches people up carefully. The locality of the visits is perfect, less than 5 minutes walk … I wish I had thought of volunteering years ago. I know I will try and keep volunteering as long as possible and it will continue to add balance and enjoyment to my life."

If you need some help of the kind suggested above, then we may be able to help you.

Sean de Podesta is the Co-ordinator of the Neighbourhood Care Scheme. He is based at Brighton & Hove Neighbourhood Care Scheme, 3rd floor Carrton House, 28/29 Western Road, Hove, BN3 1AF, Tel: 01273 775888, email