Reepham Good Neighbour Scheme making progress

It takes many things to make a community, but an important part of what it means to be a community is people looking out for one another and being there to give help and support when it’s needed. Being good neighbours, in short.
 

 
Neighbourliness is the social glue that bonds communities together. It helps create an environment where people feel safe and secure because they have a genuine connection with one another.
 
With that in mind, progress is being made towards setting up a Good Neighbour Scheme in Reepham.
 
The idea is that local volunteers will assist vulnerable, disabled or isolated local residents in simple ways such as by befriending them, helping with domestic tasks like mowing the garden or putting up curtains or changing light bulbs, arranging appointments, helping with shopping, or giving a lift to shops or appointments – the list is far from exhaustive.
 
As a starting point, a successful first public meeting was held in the Bircham Centre on 25 September, when Henry Meiklejohn of Norfolk Rural Community Council (RCC) gave a talk explaining what Good Neighbour Schemes are and how they work. As a result, 12 local people have already volunteered to get involved but more are still needed.
 
A follow-up meeting will be held upstairs in the Bircham Centre on Monday 4 November at 7.30 pm, when it is hoped to recruit additional volunteers and start setting the scheme up.
 
Good Neighbour Schemes are a great way to feel part of the community, to meet new people and to make a difference in your community. Please come along if you might like to get involved or are simply interested in finding out a bit more about it.
 
In the meantime, if you can’t make the meeting, but are interested in getting involved or have any questions about the scheme, please contact Henry Meiklejohn at Norfolk RCC by email or telephone 01362 698216.