Good Neighbours

Sue has a number of health problems which restrict how much she goes out and can manage alone. “I lost my partner last year and he did everything for me – things that I took for granted. I was struggling with my shopping and finding that I needed some help so Age UK referred me to Good Neighbours. Bill is a treasure, he helps me around the shop and takes all the heavy things in to my house for me. I’m so glad I found out about it.” Sue is pictured with Good Neighbours volunteer, Bill

“I’ve been coming since the start of the Good Neighbours shopping scheme with Debbie and it’s been a huge help to me. I wouldn’t know what to do without it – it’s sometimes the only time in the week I go out.” Jean is pictured on the right with Good Neighbours volunteers Bill and Debbie (centre)

“Paul picks me up from Whitley Bay and brings me here to get my shopping in. I don’t know what I’d do without Paul now, he’s a marvellous help.” June is pictured on the right with Paul (left) and fellow beneficiary Ada (centre)

“I love coming here on a Tuesday. It makes me get up on a morning and stops me from sitting in front of the television, which is what I’d be doing otherwise. I don’t have that many people to talk to these days and my legs don’t work like they used to. Paul is just wonderful, and it’s nice to have a young man running around after me!” Ada is pictured in the centre with Good Neighbours volunteer Paul, and fellow beneficiary June

“I had to give work up due to ill health and my Occupational Therapist suggested I try volunteering. This is actually the first volunteering I’ve ever done and I really enjoy it. I think I get as much out of coming along as the ladies I help – Ada and June. It’s definitely good for your health – it gives me a sense of purpose and I adore the two of them.” Paul is pictured with Good Neighbours beneficiaries, Ada and June

A motorbike enthusiast in her younger years, Anne was the proud owner of a BSA 250, but sadly her bike days are behind her now. “Coming here is actually my lifeline. I lost my daughter last year and then had a stroke so I’m very wobbly. Sometimes my eyes let me down so having some help shopping is great for me. When I got up this morning my fridge was literally empty and I wouldn’t get out on my own. Bill, who helps me, says it’s only a couple of hours to him but there’s no ‘only’ about it – it’s a great thing they do volunteering like this.”

A famous face on Newcastle’s music scene in the 1960s, Dave was a guitarist with Mersey Beat band the Delemeres and counts tuning John Lennon’s guitar before a gig as one of his many claims to fame. Dave then travelled worldwide as a tourist guide, counting Holland as one of his favourite places. In recent months, he has found himself needing just a bit of extra help with day-to-day tasks, including shopping and has struck up friendships with many of the volunteers and other beneficiaries who attend the Good Neighbours shopping scheme. “Coming along here helps me out 100%. I’d be lost without Amy who helps me– she knows what shopping I need better than I do now!”

I’ve been retired for around 8 years – I was a senior consultant for a construction company – so when I stopped working I wanted to fill my time with something. I actually saw a documentary on TV about volunteers helping people with their gardening, that’s what inspired me, so I did some research to see if there was something similar locally. I wanted to ‘give something back’ as they say. I pick two people up – Dave and Anne – and help them around the store then have a cuppa and a chat afterwards. We actually have a good laugh. It’s only a couple of hours out of my week but for the people we help, it means a lot – they might not manage their shopping without us. Bill is pictured in the centre with Good Neighbours beneficiaries Dave and Anne

“Paul is lovely – we get on like a house on fire. He picks me up from home and he’s a great help – he gets all the heavy things off the shelves for me and I really enjoy having a coffee when we’re finished. I’ve made new friends here too – it gets me out of the house for a few hours and breaks the day up.” Margaret is pictured on the left with good Neighbours volunteer, Paul.

“I live in sheltered accommodation and was looking for something to do in my spare time. I came across VODA doing another project and one of the members of staff told me about Good Neighbours and I didn’t have anything to lose so thought I’d give it a go. It’s not a lot to take one morning a week out. I’m really enjoying helping Margaret and the feeling that I’m putting something back in to the community. I’m out of work at the minute and this has actually made me think about going in to care work in the future. I’m getting a real buzz out of helping people. Long may it continue!” Paul is pictured on the right with Good Neighbours beneficiary, Margaret