Good Neighbours

North Tyneside VODA’s Good Neighbours Project has been active across North Tyneside for the last six years; we support volunteers to carry out tasks typical of a ‘good neighbour’ for vulnerable residents at no cost.  

The Good Neighbours project focuses on practical support with shopping, picking up prescriptions and other some tasks such DIY and gardening. We offer one-off volunteering opportunities and more long-term commitments, like buddy support. This makes good neighbours a great opportunity to help out and support your local community. A little bit of help can go a long way.   

Due to the Covid19 pandemic, the Good Neighbours Project has been restricted in what tasks we can carry out. We currently do not allow volunteers to enter homes and take people in their car. In addition, DIY tasks are assessed on a case-by-case basis. We encourage our volunteers to continue to wear masks and keep their distance while volunteering. 

As of the 19 July 2021, our team of Good Neighbour volunteers can assist with tasks such as:   

• Shopping on behalf of someone 
• Utility top up’s  
• Prescription drop-offs  
• Click and collect shopping deliveries
•  Emergency food pack deliveries 
• Walking buddies  
• Community buddies  
• Shopping buddies  
• DIY / gardening tasks  

All of these tasks are subject to the government guidelines in place at that time. We are hoping to relaunch the Social Shopping scheme and Happy to Chat sessions at the end of this summer. Please do keep an eye out on this page for updates.

Good Neighbour volunteers can assist with tasks typical of a ‘good neighbour’. Good Neighbours volunteers cannot assist with anything that requires specialist knowledge, tools or is a health and social care need. See the file below for a complete list of all the tasks Good Neighbour Volunteers can and cannot assist with.  

• DIY Volunteer 
• Shopping Volunteer – Tier 1 
• Shopping Volunteer – Tier 3 (dbs required)
• Walking Buddy
• Shopping Buddy
• Community Buddy 
• Happy to Chat Volunteer 

The scheme is open to anyone aged 18+ who is a resident of North Tyneside and unable to complete the task themselves due to health, age or disability and has no one else they can call on for help. 

Once a referral is made, our team of volunteer co-ordinators will match one of our helpful volunteers to complete the task.  

Referrals for our buddy project are managed by first contact clinical and care and connect. By working in partnership with these organisations, individuals will benefit from more holistic support including coaching, setting personal goals and signposting/advice. For more information on the buddy project click here.  

If you’re looking for a friendly and flexible volunteering opportunity then look no further. The Good Neighbours project has a number of roles available, so finding one that suits your interests and location is easy. You don’t need any particular skills or experience, just the desire and willingness to help people in the community who need it. 

Here at The Good Neighbours project, we list opportunities on the Volunteero app. As one of our volunteers you’ll be given exclusive use of the app, meaning that you can choose from a range of volunteering opportunities that suit your lifestyle. See more on how the app works here. 

Good Neighbours volunteers will be able to access the following support from VODA: 

• Telephone and email support at all times during your volunteering. 
• Reimbursement of any travel expenses and hand sanitiser costs incurred whilst volunteering.  
• Access to guidance on Safeguarding and Lone Working  
• All volunteers will be covered by VODA’s policies and procedures  
• A certificate of thanks  
• Opportunity to meet other volunteers (virtually) and share your volunteering experience  
• Weekly roundup of feedback, opportunities for training, socials and useful services  
• A closed Facebook group where you can connect with your fellow volunteers 

If you want to volunteer close to home and on a flexible basis, we’d love to hear from you. Email one of the Good Neighbours team or fill in this form.   

Social Shopping Scheme 

As lockdown comes to an end, Good Neighbours is looking to reinstate its local shopping scheme around the end of summer 2021. This scheme coordinates Good Neighbour volunteers to accompany individuals to carry out their weekly shop. From providing transport, company whilst shopping, assistance with bags the Good Neighbours’ weekly shopping scheme finishes with a group cuppa and a chat in the supermarket cafe. 

Happy To Chat 

Borough wide ‘Happy to Chat’ sessions in collaboration with the Ending Loneliness partnership and Living Well NT. These informal spaces will provide an opportunity for residents to share a cuppa and chat with someone new whilst finding information on local services, activities and support happening. These sessions are set to slowly start up again August 2021 with as first location, Dreamshine’s Well-bee-ing Hub in Wallsend.  Email jennifermars@voda.org.uk for more information or if you are interested in becoming a future Happy to Chat volunteer. Click here for the volunteer role description.