SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY
The aims of Being Neighbourly are simple, to reduce loneliness and isolation, support mental wellbeing & access to financial help. To develop a mutual aid network, through partnership working.
BN connects with and supports other local community organisations. We avoid duplicating existing services and aim to create a thriving local community spirit.
Our wonderful Mayor Cllr Steve Ody had a vision and through Being Neighbourly is making this a reality. We are so excited to say we are bringing the Trishaw to East Grinstead.
A simple concept that brings such joy and reconnects those have been for too long, isolated from their environments. Volunteers will engage with their Neighbours and take them on a journey, invoking memories and a sense of wellbeing, to feel once again part of their own community.
We are bringing this to all ages who may struggle to get out.
We aim to bridge generations through our volunteers with their passengers. To enjoy the physical, emotional and wellbeing benefits, to feel the wind in their hair again.
For more information please and/or if you would like to volunteer as a rider also please call us on 01342 545044
To support this venture in any way you can, please use the QR Code.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone out and about in and around East Grinstead.
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WHAT DO WE DO?
We are celebrating! Being Neighbourly is 5 years old, we are proud to say that under the umbrella of Being Neighbourly runs 7 different projects supporting Neighbours
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Shopping prescriptions errands:
This encompasses so much more, we assist with small ad hoc jobs, helping with paperwork, practical help within a Neighbours home, the list is endless.. This is a key role within BN to support our community and a project we are looking to expand.
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Our Befriending Project:
Sadly there is an ever-increasing demand for this much needed service. This service is recognised by statutory and local agencies alike, as well as Neighbours. Referrals come from QVH, Social Prescribers, Adult Social Care our Neighbours families and Care Homes
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The Bean Gazette:
Produced 3 times a year ‘Being Entertaining and Neighbourly!’ – connecting those who maybe aren’t able to get out into their community. The Bean is distributed to Care drivers, QVH OT and Physio teams and to all our Care and Nursing Homes in and around East Grinstead. Our readers provide the content, so they have ownership and feel a part of their community.
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Allotment at Mount Noddy:
Currently being built to make it accessible and ready for inviting those in our community who would benefit from being outside and growing plants, flowers, fruit and veg. Our aim is to invite not just our supported Neighbours but other community organisations to come along in their own right and share the experience, providing a safe and calm space.
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Fish & Chip Bingo:
Being Neighbourly runs a monthly Fish & Chip Bingo, working collaboratively with Chequer Mead, who host this and harbour fish bar who provide the fish and chips for £6. This is a very popular event, 56 Neighbours come out every time and we are sold out. We pitched this to run on a Saturday to give those living alone a social event on a Saturday over lunch.
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Chatter Chat:
Being Neighbourly runs a social coffee morning, every other week, approx. 35 Neighbours attend. From the very start we identified that this should be based in the community to increase Neighbours networks and to date is supported by Chequer Mead, Dunnings Mill and Trinity. Chatterers are also taken on trips to local garden centres.At Christmas Chequer Mead give a special rate for the Chatterers to attend the annual Pantomime. and an annual free Christmas Lunch is provided by Dunnings Mill. The “Chatterers” are transported to and from these activities by volunteers.
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Oasis Café:
Since the commencement of the Ukrainian conflict and the UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, BN have run the “Oasis Café” as a drop-in centre for refugees to meet each other and to get advice from BN teams, West Sussex Support Services and other agencies on living and working in our area and also to collect donated items.BN organised English language lessons for refugees and provided social events, trips out, Hever, Glow Wild at Wakehurst, celebrating Easter at East Court. Initially, the café was in rented rooms. BN received specific grants for refugee support, including language tuition. More recently, the BN team are available at a free-of-charge table at Carlo Lounge in East Grinstead. We have also set up a whats app group with over 100 Neighbours using it. A good source to share information and support.
