NEVILL GOOD NEIGHBOURS
Requests for help:
6 April 2024 – 5 April 2025
Lifts 57
Odd jobs 97
Prescription pick up/ surgery samples 27
Shopping 22
Befriending, KIT phone calls, home and
hospital visits 264
Signposting/advice 182
Total helps 649
6 April 2025 – 6 October 2025
Lifts 13
Odd jobs inc IT 19
Prescription pick up 12
Shopping 27
Befriending including KIT phone calls,
home and hospital visits 205
Signposting/advice 5
Total 281
We have now been running for over eight years, our data being collated to coincide with the financial year.
Year on year number of requests for help:
2017/2018 105
2018/2019 165
2019/2020 254
2020/2021 472
2021/2022 539
2022/2023 719
2023/2024 622
2024/2025 649
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
The committee meet four times a year.We have also met to discuss any difficulties which occasionally arise and are extremely fortunate to be a committee who work so well together for the benefit of individuals and
the scheme as a whole.
TRAINING AND SUPPORT
We have arranged no training this year.
At the Societies’ Fair in September 2024, where we shared a table with Southover and Ringmer Good Neighbour Schemes, it was suggested that a GNS network meeting would be worthwhile. We agreed to host one in spring 2025 and this took place in April, chaired by Eric Kihlstrom. It was very well attended with Barcombe, Ringmer, Southover, and Beacon schemes well represented: Plumpton and East Chiltington sent regretful apologies. Sue Dunkley was invited to speak, the Equality and Inclusion Officer for ESCC, with a remit under Adult Social Care and Health. Currently 26% of the East Sussex population are aged sixty five and over and by 2037 this is predicted to rise to 33%. As a result, ESCC is shifting its strategy towards prevention, encouraging people and communities to help themselves to age healthily. The five schemes shared a range of experiences and offered mutual support on a diverse range of subjects such as banking,
funding, data, communication, encouraging people to ask for help and supporting the formation of new schemes.
VOLUNTEERS AND HELPED NEIGHBOURS
We enlisted one new volunteer this year and had two expressions of interest.
There are currently 15 active volunteers, 9 friends, 12 neighbours receiving active support and another 36 neighbours registered.
Phone holders request monthly updates of regular helps to keep records up to date. Regular helps are generally home visits but also include tasks such as putting out bins. A small group of volunteers communicate through WhatsApp to arrange support for one user of the scheme. This group includes the mobile phone number to ensure phone holders have oversight.
In February we held an EGM to discuss concerns over reduced numbers of volunteers answering requests. Felicity-Ann contacted all volunteers individually to discover if anyone would prefer, for their own reasons, to become a Friend of the scheme as opposed to an active member.
Several neighbours who had been regular users of our services have now moved into care homes and several have sadly died. One of our losses was our former Secretary and founder committee member Sue Stone, who was such an organised, active, encouraging and supportive friend to us all from the outset.
Again we sent Christmas cards to all volunteers and users and, being mindful of using funds wisely, we adapted a surplus set of cards featuring Jill’s Pond (from a previous year) to avoid waste.
This community scheme depends on the dedication of its volunteers. So many
kindnesses contribute to the support of those in need, and these are hugely appreciated.
Received recently:
‘May I just write to thank you for all the work you do, and all the help and kindness you have shown my mother. We will be for ever grateful, and wish you all every success for the future ………..the Nevill Estate is very lucky to enjoy such dedication and selflessness from its residents.’
IT and DBS
This year we bought a new mobile phone. The phone remains our most frequent form of contact although some of our users are confident with email and we have regular hits exploring our website. Our contact details are on the Foundry Healthcare website. One DBS application has been made this year. New volunteers will be enlisted for the renewal service so that further applications do not need to be made every three years.
COMMUNICATIONS
We have continued to correspond with older adult stakeholders including ESCC Adult Social Services, LDC, The Foundry and Lewes Seniors’ Forum.
FINANCE
Please see separate statement.
FUNDING
No extra funding was needed this year but an application to Lewes Town Council will be made early in the next financial year.