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IP17 GOOD NEIGHBOUR SCHEME

Connecting our community

IP17GNS is a Good Neighbour Scheme based in Saxmundham, Suffolk.  What started in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, is now a vital lifeline to many in our community.

We have evolved far beyond the usual remit of a Good Neighbour Scheme and now offer a range of support, including with food and fuel poverty, combating loneliness, engaging young children and their parents, clubs and activities for all ages, performing helpful tasks around the house and advocating for the vulnerable or elderly.

Games at Funky Fridays
Games at Funky Fridays
Halloween Line Dancing class
Halloween Line Dancing class
Volunteers help to prepare 120+ Christmas dinners
Volunteers help to prepare 120+ Christmas dinners
Opening of the Social Supermarket
Opening of the Social Supermarket
Christmas Day: Volunteers package up deliveries
Christmas Day: Volunteers package up deliveries
Santa visits the community
Santa visits the community
Christmas Day volunteers
Christmas Day volunteers
Santa and his elves
Santa and his elves
Santa brings treats and festive cheer
Santa brings treats and festive cheer
A completed reverse advent calendar
A completed reverse advent calendar
Feeding those who need it
Feeding those who need it
Fun & games at Funky Fridays
Fun & games at Funky Fridays
Bowls class at Funky Fridays
Bowls class at Funky Fridays
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Community litter pick with our youngest helpers
Community litter pick with our youngest helpers
Supporting The Warden's Trust with a garden clear-up
Supporting The Warden's Trust with a garden clear-up
Mummy dress-up at Funky Fridays
Mummy dress-up at Funky Fridays
Our community Easter egg hunt attracted world renowned artists
Our community Easter egg hunt attracted world renowned artists
Drumming workshop at Funky Fridays
Drumming workshop at Funky Fridays
Bringing the community together
Bringing the community together
Drumming and dance at Funky Fridays
Drumming and dance at Funky Fridays
Collecting a donation from the supermarket
Collecting a donation from the supermarket
Craft sessions at Funky Friday
Craft sessions at Funky Friday
Our volunteers keep us going
Our volunteers keep us going
Collecting food for those that need it
Collecting food for those that need it
providing meals and recipes
providing meals and recipes
Gather & Grow Halloween party
Gather & Grow Halloween party
Fun at Funky Fridays
Fun at Funky Fridays
Helping out with a delivery
Helping out with a delivery
We sent some of our service user to the football
We sent some of our service user to the football
Gather & Grow; for little ones
Gather & Grow; for little ones
Community litter pick
Community litter pick
Gathering the community to celebrate the Jubiliee
Gathering the community to celebrate the Jubiliee
Appreciation for our volunteers
Appreciation for our volunteers

HOW CAN WE HELP

FOOD & ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES

We can offer support if you’re experiencing food poverty or difficulty getting out to the shops.
  • Our Social Supermarket is open on Tuesdays 9:30-11:00am At Saxmundham Town House and offers food & household essentials at subsidised prices. Pay £3.50 and leave with a bag of shopping worth £12 – £20
  • Collection and drop off of essential shopping if you can’t get out – you can pay with a card. We can also collect Waitrose click and collect orders
  • For people in crisis, we can offer an emergency food parcel free of charge.  
  • We’ve set up emergency food points in Saxmundham Kelsale and Benhall where you can help yourself to essentials
  • We can make food bank referrals if you need support in the longer term.

PRESCRIPTIONS

  • We can collect and drop off prescriptions for people who aren’t able to get out to the chemist.
  • We can help with online prescription requests.

STAYING SOCIAL

  • If you’re feeling isolated and lonely, IP17GNS can arrange for you to be part of our phone buddy scheme, with regular calls from one of our volunteers to cheer you up.
  • Join one of our regular clubs or activities to help you meet new people: Line Dancing; Mondays 7:30-9:00pm at Saxmundham Village Hall, Gather & Grow (for under 5s and their carers) Thursdays 9:15-10:45am at Saxmundham Market Hall, Funky Fridays; (for children aged 5+) In school holidays – check our Facebook page for upcoming dates.

ODD JOBS

  • Sometimes you just need a helping hand. Our network of volunteers have a range of skills and can be called on to help with anything from hanging out the washing to putting flat-pack furniture together, giving lifts to cutting hedges.

To use any of these services, use the ‘help’ form or call
0333 335 5266

Help us support the community by donating to our fundraising page:

Donate

OTHER WAYS TO DONATE:

TO VOLUNTEER

Everything we do relies on our incredible team of volunteers. Whether you can spare a lot of time, or just a little, we would love to hear from you.

Volunteer roles or tasks include: Call handlers, local delivery drivers, walkers or cyclists, tea-makers and kitchen helpers, volunteers to run activities or children’s groups, shelf-stackers & organisers, phone buddies, personal shoppers and many more.

There is no age limit. You do not have to commit to regular hours if you are unable to, and there is no minimum requirement for how much time you can volunteer.

To volunteer, please register by completing the volunteer registration form.

What's Happening

Social Supermarket

Gather & Grow

Line Dancing

Donate to support

Ask for help

Funky Fridays coming up

EMAIL

For non-urgent requests, please email: volunteer@ip17gns.com

PHONE NUMBERS

If you need help, call between 10am and 1pm, or fill in the form on this site.
0333 335 5266

QUICK LINKS

Volunteer Registration
Phone Buddy Log
Privacy Policy

FOLLOW US

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