The RGNS is looking for drivers who can take Reepham residents to medical and other necessary appointments and have no one else to take them.

Just helping with this once or twice a month could make an enormous difference. The service users pay the RGNS drivers to cover expenses.

Helping others in this way can improve your well-being and is hugely appreciated.

To find out more, call Judy Holland on 07936 576684 or send an email.

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If you do not have a driver’s licence, passport or photographic travel pass, you will need to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) to vote in person.

VACs are a new form of photo identification for use when voting at a polling station in the UK Parliamentary, Police and Crime Commissioner, and English local elections.

They are designed for people who do not have another form of photo ID that is accepted at the polls.

VAC application forms are available HERE. It is free, but you will need a recent, digital photo of yourself and your National Insurance number.

The deadline to apply for a VAC in time for the local elections on Thursday 4 May is 5 pm on Tuesday 25 April.

The polling station in Reepham is the Bircham Centre, Market Place.

Alternatively, you may wish to apply for a postal vote, which does not require a photograph. Postal vote application forms can be found HERE.

Judy Holland, Chair, Reepham Good Neighbour Scheme

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• lifts, for example, to the GP or a hospital appointment
• picking up a prescription
• getting shopping
• being someone to talk to, a friendly ear
• help with tidying up a garden
• dog walking
• other simple tasks.

Volunteering is flexible – you decide what you do and when. Training is provided and expenses are covered.

The scheme offers the chance to be part of making your community a place where people look out for each other.

To find out more or to volunteer to help others, please telephone 07936 576684 or email.

The post Become a good neighbour now appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

Left to right: Tony Dean, chief officer, Norfolk Local Pharmaceutical Committee, with Motts Pharmacy staff Maria McDowall, Linda Davies and pharmacist Guppy Kular.

The pharmacy in Market Place, Reepham, received the Pharmacy Team Award while the RGNS received the Community Hero Award, presented by Tony Dean, chief officer, and Charlotte Bowles, support officer, of the Norfolk Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC).

Last autumn, the Norfolk LPC invited pharmacy teams across the county to nominate their colleagues and communities for a Community Pharmacy Award in recognition of the extraordinary support delivered during an exceptional period of pressure on NHS services.

The LPC recognised that all teams in Norfolk went above and beyond expectations during a difficult few years, and this was an opportunity to share their achievements and take pride in local communities.

Lauren Seamons, deputy chief officer, said: “Congratulations to our prize winner and to all the pharmacy teams who have continued to deliver face-to-face services throughout these challenging times. We are proud to represent you.”

The Motts Pharmacy team “worked continuously throughout the pandemic, adjusting to patient needs, carrying out voluntary deliveries and even offering to sacrifice wages in order to get through Covid-19,” said pharmacy owner Guppy Kular. “None of them took a single day off in sickness and made every effort to keep themselves and customers safe.”

Meanwhile, the RGNS was at the forefront in helping the local community when the pandemic struck and has continued to provide vital services as needs have evolved.

A dedicated telephone line was established, dozens of volunteers recruited, and teams set up to support many of the most vulnerable people in and around Reepham, with befriending and deliveries of food and prescriptions.

“This organisation responded immediately to Motts Pharmacy’s plea for volunteers before the government got its act together,” said Mr Kular. “They arranged twice-daily deliveries for shielding and vulnerable patients in Reepham and the surrounding area.

“Volunteers, some of whom had lost their jobs or had been furloughed, spent their own money on fuel to help their community at a time when they were unsure of their own future. This carried on for many months without a break or any reluctance to help.

“We are very grateful to the Reepham Good Neighbour Scheme for coming to the rescue at a time of great need. Thank you for all you did for us.”

See our earlier story:

• RGNS chair receives Rotary community award

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At its recent annual general meeting, the chair and finance officer stood down after seven years of service working for the local community.

However, if these positions are not filled, the RGNS will have no option but to wind up in November.

Set up in 2014, the RGNS was at the forefront in helping the community when the Covid-19 crisis struck and has continued to provide vital services as needs have evolved.

To raise awareness of the work carried out by the RGNS, members will be available in the foyer of the Bircham Centre on Wednesday 13 October from 9.30 am to 11 am (the Country Market will take place as normal).

The RGNS will also be present at St Michael’s coffee morning on Saturday 16 October from 10 am to 12 noon.

Interested persons should contact the RGNS by email or telephone 07936 576684.

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To request help, telephone 020 3603 3253 – this is a special number that can be diverted to different volunteers’ phones.

If your call cannot be answered, leave your name and number with a brief message and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.

And if anyone is available to offer assistance, contact RGNS on the above number.

Meanwhile, Aylsham Care Trust is offering to deliver hot home-cooked meals to Reepham residents on Wednesday lunchtimes if there is enough demand – just £7.50 for two courses. It is also offering takeaway fish and chips on Friday lunchtimes. Contact Alison Wright on 01263 733385 for details.

Photo: Aylsham Care Trust

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The letter, headed “Self-isolating? You are not alone! Reepham is here for you”, which offers support to those residents who need help during the coronavirus outbreak, is genuine – despite containing a London telephone contact number.

Town clerk Jo Boxall explained that this number was the only one that could be diverted to different volunteers’ phones, although she admitted it had caused concern to a number of residents.

The support is being co-ordinated by Reepham Good Neighbour Scheme (RGNS) with backing from the town council and local businesses.

For further information, contact: Reepham Town Council, Town Hall, Church Street, Reepham, Norfolk NR10 4JW. Tel: 01603 873355.

See our earlier story:

• Coronavirus – what can you do to help?

The post RGNS letter is genuine, town council confirms appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

The volunteer-run scheme’s “Never Alone in Reepham” allotment project aims to provide an environment where anyone can come along and reconnect with plants and growing, no matter what the level of their horticultural skills.

Perhaps you are a former allotment holder who has had to give up a regular commitment but would still like to stay in touch with the earth?

Maybe you are new to gardening and would like to learn a few basic skills from those who have more experience?

Or perhaps you would just like to sit in the fresh air, enjoy watching others work and have a mardle with whoever is about?

It is planned to have a RGNS volunteer at the allotment each Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning. Transport can usually be arranged with a little advance notice.

It is also hoped to have a facility for making hot drinks on site in the near future. (A donation of a camping gas burner would be gratefully received.)

For more information or to book a lift, please contact Lin Garland 01603 879269 or Linda Fullegar 01603 870945.

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Meanwhile, the Lions Club has welcomed five new members, who will join with other Reepham Lions to raise funds to support international and community projects.

To find out more about Reepham Lions, please visit the website, email reephamlions@gmail.com or come along to the next meeting, which will be held at Reepham Methodist Church, Station Road, Reepham, on Tuesday, 2 April at 7.15 pm. The club meets on the first Tuesday of the month.

Liz Howes

See our earlier story:

• Reepham Good Neighbours receive cash boost

The post Lions Club raises £300 for Good Neighbour Scheme appeared first on REEPHAM LIFE.

Everyone needs a little help sometimes and the Good Neighbour Scheme offers the chance for local people to give and receive help in small but important ways.

The Scheme will be run and staffed by vetted, insured and trained local volunteers who will, in essence, help their neighbours. It is aimed at vulnerable or potentially vulnerable people in the community – typically those who are isolated, sick, disabled or elderly – and who need occasional help.

To get help they will need to call the Scheme’s helpline (07936 576684) and a suitable volunteer will then be identified to provide the help needed.

The sorts of help the Scheme can potentially offer includes changing light bulbs, taking down or putting up curtains, light gardening, shopping, dog walking, giving lifts to shops or appointments, and befriending lonely people.

The Scheme is not intended to be a replacement for emergency or social services; it is just about local people helping other local people with relatively little things that can make a big difference to their quality of life.

Anyone who needs help or would like to volunteer as a helper should telephone the Reepham Good Neighbour Helpline: 07936 576684.

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