A Link Good Neighbour Scheme for

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A Link Good Neighbour Scheme for

• ASHTON KEYNES

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THE LINK PROJECT

• Developing and supporting Link Good Neighbour
  Schemes in Wiltshire and Swindon

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What is a Link Good Neighbour Scheme?

• A Link Scheme is a local group of volunteers
  providing good neighbour support to those in need
  in their communities

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WILTSHIRE LINK SCHEMES

• 44 LINK SCHEMES
• OPERATED ENTIRELY BY VOLUNTEERS
• COVERING 98 OF RURAL WILTSHIRE
• 1500 VOLUNTEERS
• HELPING 900 PEOPLE A WEEK

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WILTSHIRE LINK SCHEMES

• CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO WILTSHIRE
  COMMUNITIES

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Link Schemes

• Draw on good will already existing
• To meet the needs of individual clients
• Using skills of local volunteers

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Link Schemes Aims

• To be individual and independent
• To complement other services

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What can Link Schemes offer?

• Transport
• Medical appointments
• Hospital visiting
• Dentist
• Hairdresser
• Shopping

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What can Link Schemes offer?

• Practical Help
• Collecting shopping and prescriptions
• Small jobs in the home and garden
• Dog walking

• Caring
• Befriending
• Reading
• Taking someone for a walk

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WILTSHIRE LINK SCHEMES

• DONATION SYSTEM
• Clients are asked to make a donation for the
  service they receive
• The Link Co-ordinator will explain this when the
  booking is confirmed
• Volunteers are supplied with envelopes which they
  hand to the client

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How is a Link Scheme run?

• A Link Co-ordinator operates the Link telephone
  and answer phone from home
• Takes details of request
• If appropriate, finds volunteer

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LINK CO-ORDINATORS

• Link schemes have dedicated phone lines to ensure
  the Co-ordinators privacy
• Most Link Schemes have a small team of
• Co-ordinators who operate a rota
• Some schemes now use a mobile phone
• There is a computer booking programme
• Each scheme decides the hours of availability and
  there is an answer phone to take messages

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Link Schemes are Community led

• Management Committee
• Link Co-ordinator
• Volunteers
• Users

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Link Steering Committee

• Recruits Co-ordinators and volunteers
• Carries out CRB checks
• Installs telephone
• Arranges publicity
• Provides insurance
• Applies for grants

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Link Schemes are funded by

• Grants from
• Wiltshire NHS
• Wiltshire Council
• Donations from those using the service

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The Next Steps

• Set Up Steering Committee
• Recruit Co-ordinator and Volunteers
• Full ongoing support of Link Project staff
• Link Scheme operational in 6 months time