Definition We are not just a village transportation scheme we aim to provide the sort of help you could expect of a good neighbour. We use voluntary effort from local people to provide help for anyone in the village who needs assistance with transport, household tasks, companionship, practical support following illness, letter writing, form filling, and more.... 2www.whissendinegns.org.uk

Inspiration The scheme was set up in June 2010 following the publication of a parish plan. In the course of putting together the plan a questionnaire was given to all 600 households in the village. This identified a need for (among other things) help with transport for the elderly and disabled and befrienders to reduce the isolation that some experienced. WGNS is not just for the elderly however- it is for all village residents. 3www.whissendinegns.org.uk

Dedication The scheme took 6 months to set up and is now in its fifth year. We sought and received funding from the Rural Communities Council, the Parish Council and Grassroots funding from Voluntary Action Leicester. We raised money ourselves and also received donations from the village. These enabled us to buy a wheelchair which we offer on short term loan to villagers. 4www.whissendinegns.org.uk

Organisation The scheme operates a mobile phone held by volunteers on a rota basis. Residents can call the mobile phone between 8am and 8pm daily and request assistance. The person holding the phone rings volunteers until they find someone to meet the request. They confirm the arrangement to the client by phone and to the volunteer by . Mileage is payable to the driver by the clients for all transport outside the village at a rate of 45p a mile. All other help is free. 5www.whissendinegns.org.uk

Auditability We meet most (legal, reasonable) requests but avoid displacing local services that are offered on a commercial basis. The scheme has a constitution, guidelines, insurance and audited accounts. All volunteers are CRB or DBS certificated and carry ID cards. The management group of 9 meet bi-monthly. Minutes and accounts are published on the website 6www.whissendinegns.org.uk

Transparency We have a website and regularly report on our activities in the village magazines and parish meetings. We issue fridge magnets, a handy reminder of the number to call. We get around 10 calls a month to the mobile and carry out between 50 and 70 assignments a month. Some assignments are regular, for instance transport to village events or befriending. 7www.whissendinegns.org.uk

Integration and sustainability We integrate with other organisations in the village, for instance we provide transport to twice monthly village lunches run by Age UK and a village group. We hold a summer tea party for all clients and volunteers and a Christmas get together for volunteers. This helps the clients and volunteers to get to know each other and engenders trust. 8www.whissendinegns.org.uk

Recognition We have received several awards for our work Village achievement award (2011) Red Cross Inspiring work in Rutland (2013). We regularly offer advice to other villages who wish to start a similar scheme. 9

WGNS volunteer activity 1 10www.whissendinegns.org.uk

WGNS volunteer activity 2 11www.whissendinegns.org.uk

Whissendine Good Neighbours Scheme (WGNS)