‘The Voluntary Care Groups (Neighbourcare) are independent and offer neighbourly help to people of any age, if they have no friend or relative nearby to support them’.
CARE GROUPS FACT FILE
- Currently there are approximately 100 such groups across the county with an estimated 3,500 Volunteers providing this invaluable support.
- In the last year over 100,000 tasks were carried out collectively by the groups.
- Each group is independent, recruits volunteers from within the local community and establishes its own priorities and activities.
- Although the groups vary in size and resources, all are keenly involved in meeting the needs of people in their local community.
- Types of help offered can range from Shopping, Visiting, Befriending, Lunch Clubs, Sitting, Collecting Prescriptions, Driving, Walking the Dog, Minor Repairs, to name but a few. (The service provided by each group various - see contact details)
HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTARY CARE GROUPS ADVISORY SERVICE
The Advisory Service supports the Voluntary Care Groups in order that they can provide a safety net of care in Hampshire by offering neighbourly help to anyone who needs it.
ADVISORY SERVICE FACT FILE
- Provide Advice and Information on a day by day basis.
- Insure the groups for Public Liability / Personal Accident / Monetary loss.
- Arrange Area Meetings / Training days and events.
- Regularly visit/attend group meetings.
- Raise awareness by giving talks, presentations, campaigning, networking with other agencies and producing publications.
- Produces and annually updates a Care Group Directory.
- Develops new groups where the need is identified.
- Encourage best practice by providing a ‘Resource Pack’.
- Providing annual / start up / special grants to support group work.
- Taking up fieldwork issues and providing advocacy to individual groups.
- Maintaining a Care Group website www.neighbourcare.org.uk
The Advisory Service is sponsored by the Church of England Dioceses of Winchester and Portsmouth and supported by Hampshire County Council Social Services and the Primary Care Trusts in the county.
The Care Group's Advisor contact details are as follows –
Jackie Paterson (South East Hants.)
Tel: 023 9289 9671
Fax: 023 9289 9651
Email: jackie.paterson@neighbourcare.org.uk
Diocese of Portsmouth, First Floor, Peninsular House, Wharf Road, Portsmouth, PO2 8HB
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