Contact us

Suffolk ACRE is continuing to build a network of individual sustainable Good Neighbour Schemes around the county. There are currently 21 schemes up and running with many more under development. In each scheme local volunteers help other people in their community with small services such as

• Transport – giving people lifts to hospitals, doctors surgeries, shops or social trips
• Domestic tasks – changing lightbulbs, testing smoke alarms, moving furniture and many other household jobs
• Mobility problems – volunteers can help by collecting prescriptions and pensions, shopping and posting letters for anyone who is incapacitated
• Befriending – visiting the lonely or bereaved to give emotional support
• Advocacy – help with letter writing or filling in forms
• Outside jobs – occasional garden tidying, dog walking and other odd jobs

All the services are offered free with the exception of giving lifts for which the driver is compensated for his/her running costs by the client, usually at 35 pence per mile.

Having a Good Neighbour Scheme will strengthen the community’s identity and build new friendships between villagers. It is also a practical way of helping people of all ages and from all backgrounds who live in the community.

The part time role of co-ordinating schemes is shared by two people at Suffolk ACRE. Robert Horn works with schemes in Forest Heath, St Edmundsbury, Mid Suffolk, Babergh and Ipswich. Nat Bocking works with schemes in Suffolk Coastal and Waveney districts. If you would like to find out more about Good Neighbour Schemes please contact Robert or Nat.