The Good Neighbours Scheme (GNS) is a community-led initiative run by Help on Your Doorstep and local volunteers, which builds community connections and belonging on local estates with high levels of deprivation and isolation. Each GNS runs around 300 activities a year in local community centres, including: arts and crafts sessions, coffee mornings, music, bingo, fitness and gardening, as well as trips and visits, which offer opportunities to try new things and learn new skills.
The projects also help residents access support and advice about housing, health, debt and more – aiming to ensure people have what they need to thrive and build strong support systems.
Suzie first started getting involved with the Good Neighbours Scheme back in 2018, after hearing about the activities through a friend who asked her to come along. Suzie suffers from agoraphobia and had not been able to leave her home for many years – apart from to attend hospital visits with her husband or son. With the support of her husband and friends, who accompanied her to and from activities, Suzie has been attending bingo, coffee mornings, seated exercise, community fun days, health & wellbeing days, Christmas dinners and other events.
Suzie said that coming to the Good Neighbour Scheme activities has been a turning point for her.
“It has been 19 years since I was able to go out alone, and I feel like I have missed out on a lot over the years. We just feel like one big happy family, everyone supports each other, and I’ve made friends.” ~ Suzie, member of Good Neighbours Scheme (GNS)
“As soon as I walked into a Good Neighbours Scheme activity, I felt welcomed, and it’s still like that today.”
The activities have made a huge difference to my life. My husband has noticed that I’m a lot happier. It has been 19 years since I was able to go out alone, and I feel like I have missed out on a lot over the years.
We just feel like one big happy family, everyone supports each other, and I’ve made friends. I wish the groups would go on longer because I never want to go home! And when I do go home, it makes me feel good, so I think it’s good for my mental health as well”.
If it were not for Good Neighbour Scheme activities, I would be sitting at home staring at four walls”.
“I wish the groups would go on longer because I never want to go home! And when I do go home, it makes me feel good, so I think it’s good for my mental health as well”. ~ Suzie, member of Good Neighbours Scheme (GNS)
Your support funds incredible local projects like Good Neighbours Scheme, offering connection, joy and practical support to local people. Be the reason an isolated neighbour connects with the community, and feels safe, seen and supported.
