ROSS Community Development Trust has received £20,000 from the National Lottery’s Awards for All scheme, as a contribution to the running costs of its Good Neighbours initiative for the next two years.

The financial injection is a real boost to the project as it will secure the services of its single part-time staff member and pay for general running costs.

The Good Neighbour scheme’s mission is to build stronger relationships in Ross-on-Wye, Weston under Penyard and Bridstow.

The trust’s aims to improve the local community by drawing on the strengths and assets of local volunteers to support those less able to participate or lead independent lives due to old age, infirmity, poverty, fuel poverty, loneliness and isolation that lead to poor mental health and a lack of hope. The trust’s team of volunteers provide a range of services for people who are vulnerable and need support by providing a home shopping service, befriending, light maintenance jobs or gardening tasks.

The volunteer shoppers are on hand to deliver groceries to those who can no longer shop for themselves, and the trust’s befriending team visit those at risk of loneliness or who just fancy a bit of company.

This is largely achieved through their ‘Good Neighbours’ shopping and befriending service which directly support people to remain independent for longer in their own homes.

The trust also offers a 24-hour helpline service on 01989 313002 which is available to everyone with questions about how to access services in the area, especially those without access to the Internet.

It also supplies a town-wide quarterly newsletter, which is delivered to 6,500 letterboxes and promotes the activities and services of all the voluntary groups and organisations in the Ross area. All of this is made possible thanks to our funders, including National Lottery players.