Supporting local communities across Oxfordshire
A Good Neighbour Scheme is a group of local volunteers who come together to help their neighbours with small tasks that make a big difference. While Volunteer Link Up focuses on West Oxfordshire for our direct services, we lead the Good Neighbour Scheme network county-wide in partnership with Age UK and OCVA.
Are you part of a local group or looking to start one?
If you want to make a difference right where you live, we are here to support you. We help community groups get off the ground and stay sustainable.
What We Provide to Your Scheme:
- Set-up Support: Guidance on policies, protocols, and best practices.
- Safety First: Assistance with DBS checks and risk assessment templates.
- Financial Help: Access to small funding grants and advice on insurance.
- The Network: Connect with more than 50 other schemes across Oxfordshire to share ideas and experiences.
What can a Good Neighbour Scheme offer?
This can vary from group to group depending on the area’s need and the skills and abilities of the volunteers. It is up to the group to decide what services are offered.
Services may include:
• Providing transport to medical appointments, hospital visits or to day centres
• Shopping or collecting prescriptions
• Household tasks, minor repairs, or gardening
• Walking pets
• Visiting or befriending
• Letter writing or simple form filling
How to set up a Good Neighbour Scheme
Here’s an idea of the steps involved:
• Establish the need
• Obtain local support to help set up the scheme
• Decide what services to offer
• Set geographical boundaries for the service
• Decide how the scheme will be run
• Funding the scheme
• Publicise the scheme