A scheme, bringing together neighbours willing to lend a helping hand and those residents who may need some assistance, is already gaining a great reputation in Walford.

One of the service users, Sue Exton told the Ross Gazette that she is very grateful to the scheme, “it has helped me no end,” she said.

Sue is very mobile but unable to drive. There is no suitable bus service in Walford so Sue was relying on taxis at least once a week to get to appointments at Ross-on-Wye Community Hospital and her GP’s surgery. This was proving quite expensive, and difficult, as she never knew how long she might be.

Sarah Hayes, the Community Support Coordinator told the Gazette that the scheme can help anyone. She said: “Often when there is an emergency or illness help is needed but people prefer to approach an organisation rather than ask favours.”

Sarah was keen to point out it is not just for older people, she said that young mums who have had a c-section and cannot drive often need some temporary help to get to appointments.

At the moment 18 volunteers have come forward and are at various stages of being checked. Nesta told the Gazette that she volunteers because she had retired as a district nurse and was loking for a way to help others but also to be more social.

The Walford Community Support Scheme has been running for a couple of months thanks to funding from the Wellbeing Innovation Fund. There are similar scheme running in other places, especially those rural communities, which the main charities struggle to cover.

Sarah receives referrals from vaious sources, such as the vicar, as she said people are loath to ask for help themselves. There are leaflets available in Bishopswood Post Office as well as at the hospital and many of the volunteers and service users are also spreading the word to let others know how helpful the scheme is.

The volunteers are contacted by the Coordinator, usually by email and they reply if they can help in any given sitution. There is no obligation, volunteers do what they can, when they can. If you would like to help with tasks such as collecting prescriptions, or minor DIY, or you need help with any of these tasks, call 07493 171 430, 2pm - 5pm, on weekdays or leave a message and a member of the team will call you back.