East Dean and Friston
Neighbours helping Neighbours
FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL
Phone 01323 423311
01323 423101
01323 423611
2018/19 Community Watch Report
COMMUNITY WATCH
Neighbours Helping Neighbours in East Dean, Friston, Birling Gap and Crowlink
Since its inception in 2012, Community Watch volunteers have responded to several hundreds of requests for assistance with items as varied as shopping, providing relief for a carer, walking the dog, solving a computer problem, carrying bags of compost up the garden, simple DIY, returning books to the library, as well as for lifts to the hospital, to the surgery or to Village events.
One of the many advantages of this scheme is that it is free, confidential and informal, which overcomes one’s natural resistance to ask for help. The way it works is that we have three call co-ordinators whose telephone numbers (see below) are published in the Parish Magazine, and once a call has been received, the co-ordinator rings around our list of volunteers to locate one who is free to help on the day requested. Details are noted and contact made with the resident to ensure a happy outcome.
Although we can turn our hand to most requests for help there are some matters we cannot deal with, such as advice involving nursing or health concerns, benefits, or legal and financial matters. However, we can provide details of organisations that may be able to assist
Two years ago the Steering Group decided to invite speakers to talk about issues considered of interest to our community. These meetings, open to all residents, have included presentations on Keeping Safe in an Age of Internet and Telephone Scams and, most recently, making an Advance Decision (Living Wills), and Powers of Attorney, given by Dr Joanna Shawcross and Private Client Executive, Lindsay Richardson.
A programme for future meetings is being prepared and suggestions for topics are very welcome.
For more information on any of the Community Watch activities you can phone one of our call co-ordinators (423311, 423101, 423611)
Joan Colin
Community Watch
If you would like help with shopping, collecting prescriptions, walking the dog, visit the GP or to sit with a relative so that you as a carer, can have some time out, minor DIY or something else.
Phone one of the numbers above and we will contact a volunteer, preferable one who lives near you to make arrangements wherever possible.
We are not able to offer advice involving nursing or health concerns, benefits or legal/financial matters, but we can provide details or organisations that may be able to assist.
