NEVILL GOOD NEIGHBOURS
Requests for help:
6 April 2023 – 5 April 2024
Lifts 61
Odd jobs inc IT 69
Prescription pick up/ surgery samples 19
Shopping 39
Befriending including KIT phone calls 405
Signposting/advice 29
Total helps 622
6 April 2024 – 8 September 2024
Lifts 29
Odd jobs inc IT 38
Prescription pick up 19
Shopping 3
Befriending including KIT phone calls 177
Signposting/advice 12
Total 278
We have now been running for seven years. For the first time, our number of neighbour
helps has decreased from the previous year.
Year on year number of helps:
2017/2018 105
2018/2019 165
2019/2020 254
2020/2021 472
2021/2022 539
2022/2023 719
2023/2024 622
COMMITTEE
There have been no changes to the committee this year:
Chair Penny Ollosson
Secretary Sally Attwood
Treasurer Simmy Viinikka
Volunteer co-ordinator Felicity-Ann Hall
IT and DBS Mike Robson
Funding Frances Lord
Communications Eric Kihlstrom
TRAINING AND SUPPORT
In the autumn we shared a table at the Societies’ Fair with Southover Good Neighbour Scheme, displaying our fridge magnets, leaflets and Christmas cards, which was a good opportunity to keep in touch as well as jointly promote our schemes.
VOLUNTEERS AND HELPED NEIGHBOURS
One new volunteer enlisted this year, bringing our total to 25.
The small groups of volunteers, who operate semi-independently and communicate through WhatsApp, have continued.
Another stunning Christmas card was designed by the same young resident who designed our card last year. Cards were signed by the committee over a glass of cheer and mince pie, then hand delivered to all our volunteers and users.
This is a perfect opportunity to thank all our wonderful volunteers for their generosity and kindness towards our users. Every one of the 622 ‘helps’ this year was only possible because of personal commitment to our community. Here are just some examples of the feedback we have received.
“You’ve been so wonderful. So many times I’ve needed something and you’ve been there. It’s so comforting.”
“Since I had my stroke I don’t know where I’d be without Nevill Good Neighbours. They have helped me so much. I don’t drive and they give me lifts to the doctors and dentists. They shop for me every week. I don’t know where I’d be without them.”
IT and DBS
The phone remains our most frequent form of contact and we have plans to purchase a new one in the next financial year to enable us to use WhatsApp. Our contact details are on the Foundry Healthcare website. One DBS application was made this year.
COMMUNICATIONS
There were no local GNS network meetings this year but we plan to host one next year.
We have continued to corresponded with older adult stakeholders including ESCC Adult Social Services, LDC, The Foundry and Lewes Seniors’ Forum.
FINANCE
Please see separate statement.
FUNDING
Our finances were in a healthy position at the start of the year so no further funding was needed. However, it is likely that we will need to apply for funds in the next financial year.
Penny Ollosson, on behalf of the NGNS committee