Organisation Information
Volunteer Link-up (west Oxfordshire)
Thanks to our wonderful volunteers and donors, we have been able to keep on supporting the vulnerable people in our community over the last year and throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.We have adapted our Good Neighbour Scheme to continue to safely provide transport, befriending and practical task services to the vulnerable, elderly and isolated in our community.
Over the last year we worked with 212 volunteers to provide services to 950 clients. This includes 5436 single journeys, as part of our transport provision.
Our volunteer drivers take the elderly and vulnerable their medical appointments when they are unable to get there by public transport or can’t afford costly taxis. This service involves so much more than just driving. Our volunteers are able to make sure that the clients reach their appointment safely and then help them to settle back into their home, giving our clients and families peace of mind. We only ask the clients to pay a minimal fee to cover the cost of petrol.
Our befrienders provide companionship for our clients. At the moment, rather than visiting in-person, our befrienders contact our clients over the phone for a chat, They are still tirelessly collecting prescriptions, shopping and running those errands which the elderly and vulnerable can find so difficult.
Our Practical Tasks service has been adapted to ensure or volunteers can continue to help clients with small jobs which can help to keep them living independently. Again, we have adapted this service to ensure it is safely provided.
We have been working hard to support the 78 local Good Neighbour Schemes around Oxfordshire as they have had to navigate the changes in health and safety requirements and restrictions which have resulted from the current situation.
We have also been able to offer much needed support and advice to the other groups of volunteers that sprang into action or adapted their services to help others in our community at the start of lockdown.
To be able to continue to serve the vulnerable in our community in these increasingly challenging times, we need your help. We very much hope that you will be able to contribute to funding this work which has such a direct and positive impact on our community.
Please find enclosed Volunteer Link Up’s annual report for 2019-20.
Should you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at Elizabeth.jones@vlu.org.uk