Local Support in Towns and Villages

 

This page provides information about organisations that offer practical assistance such as shopping and prescription collection within a wide range of towns and villages within the area served by Ipswich Hospital. The information you will find below is organised by postcode area. There are two types of scheme offering similar assistance: Good Neighbour Schemes (GNS) and groups set up in response to the covid-19 pandemic (C-19) in 2020:

Good Neighbour Schemes

Across the county, Community Action Suffolk has supported the development of Good Neighbour Schemes. These are local voluntary groups who support those in need of help in their community. There are schemes in several tens of communities of different sizes in the county. A map showing the location of all schemes is available at this link. Contact can be made with all these schemes via a telephone call (sometimes to an answerphone). The postcode-specific information below indicates Good Neighbour Schemes by labelling relevant groups “GNS” following the group name.

Groups established in response to Covid-19 pandemic, early 2020

During the Covid-19 pandemic starting in 2020, many new local groups have been set up across the county offering similar support, some with links to or organised by local councils, others by groups of individuals. Methods to contact these groups varies from a single phone number, multiple phone numbers dependent on location, e-mail or facebook groups.

All these groups are labelled “C-19” following the group name given below.

It is not clear if groups established in reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic will continue to operate in the longer term (please check website links given for current information).

 
 

Interpretation of the labels following the group name:

  • “GNS” indicates Good Neighbour Schemes.

  • “C-19” indicates that the group was set up as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Please check specific websites as it is not clear if these groups will continue to operate in the longer term.

 

Can’t find your community? Look for your Parish Council

If it is not possible to find information listed below for your specific town or village, please use Suffolk Infolink which gives a directory of Parish Councils. This contains links to Parish Council websites (where these exist) and phone numbers. This information may help to lead you to other local initiatives.

 

IP1-IP4 Ipswich

For additional information, please also refer to this link: Support for communities in Ipswich | Ipswich Borough Council

IP1-IP4 Ipswich: Anti-Loo Roll brigade (C-19)

Tel: 03337 721686, e-mail: none given

Group was set up to create a network of help for the elderly and/or struggling people in need of necessities in Ipswich.

IP2 Maidenhall, Ipswich: Maidenhall Together Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 07736 445752, e-mail: maidenhalltogethergns@gmail.com

Offers shopping and prescription collection.

IP3 Ipswich (south-east): IP3 Ipswich Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 03337 729343, e-mail: ip3ipswichgns@gmail.com

Group formed in the second quarter of 2020 to help residents. Offers shopping and prescription collection, odd jobs and a befriending service.

IP4 Ipswich: IP4 Community Support (C-19)

Tel: none given, e-mail: none given, contact via facebook (link above)

Founded in response to the COVID19 virus, this group is a safe community space for Ipswich residents based in the IP4 postcode to ask for and offer help.

 

IP5 Kesgrave, Martlesham Heath

IP5 Kesgrave: Kesgrave Town Council (C-19)

Tel: 01473 625179 (Town Council) or tel: 07757 809 709

Website has a link to a private facebook group.

If self-isolating, help with picking up shopping, posting mail, a friendly phone call or urgent supplies

 

IP6 Needham Market, Claydon, Coddenham and area

IP6 Needham Market: Needham Market Coronavirus Support Group (C-19)

Tel: 07525 015262 (Tanya), e-mail: none given

Active Public facebook group with responses to requests for help with shopping, prescription collection and much more.

IP6 Claydon: Claydon and Barnham Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 07925 667671, e-mail: barclaygns@gmail.com

Private Facebook Group: @Claydon and Barham Good Neighbour Scheme. Summary information on Parish Council website.

Offers emergency short term help such as collecting shopping or prescriptions, walking the dog or a friendly chat.

Claydon, Barham, Great Blakenham area

 

IP6 Coddenham: Coddenham Community Response Group (GNS)

Tel: 01449 760313, e-mail: support@coddenham-parish.uk

Established to co-ordinate help and support, particularly to those most vulnerable and isolated if they are need of anything. The website refers to Suffolk County Council “Home But Not Alone” scheme which is no longer in operation.

 

IP7 Hadleigh, Bildeston and area

IP7 Hadleigh: Care for our Community Hadleigh Suffolk (C-19)

Contact via the private Facebook page/ group.

Tel: none given, e-mail: none given

 

IP7 Bildeston: Bildeston Coronavirus Support Group (C-19)    

Covers Bildeston and Wattisham

Tel: 0333 3355254, e-mail: Bildestoncsg@gmail.com

Offers collection of shopping & prescriptions, posting mail, dog walking. This group also operates the Bildeston Food Bank

 

IP7 Semer: Semer Support Group (C-19)

Tel: 07867 317349 (Steve Nuttall), e-mail: nuttall_steve@hotmail.com

Tel: 07771 363774 (Robyn Brunning), e-mail: bob_brunning@hotmail.com

Offers to run errands, deliver groceries, prescriptions and so on

To join the village WhatsApp group email: claire@ash-cottage.co.uk

IP7 Elmsett: Elmsett Parish Council (C-19)

Several contact names and phone numbers available at this link, e-mail: none given

Offers help with shopping/ prescriptions and a friendly chat

 

IP8 Copdock, Hintlesham and area

IP8 Hintlesham: Hintlesham Parish Council (C-19)

Telephone numbers and approximate location for 15-20 people prepared to offer help are shown on the website.

Covers Hintlesham, Copdock and Flowton

Offers help for those who are vulnerable and self-isolating.

 

IP9 Shotley peninsula, Capel St Mary and area

IP9 Chelmondiston: Chelmondiston Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 01473 780001/ 780005/ 780480/ 780588, e-mail: none given

Offers assistance with shopping, prescriptions, pet care, friendly chat and more.

IP9 Harkstead: Holbrook Helpers Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 0333 335 5387, e-mail: holbrookhelpers@yahoo.com

Offers assistance with shopping, prescriptions, pet care, befriending and more.

IP9 Stutton: Stutton Support Network (GNS)

Tel: 01473 327753, e-mail: none given

Offers assistance with shopping, prescriptions, friendly phone calls and more.

IP9 Tattingstone: Tattingstone Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 07895 052086, e-mail: none given

Offers help with shopping, prescriptions, post and friendly phone calls.

IP9 Capel St Mary: Capel St Mary Covid-19 Mutual Aid group (C-19)

Tel: none given, e-mail: none given

This group has been set up (and registered with Covid-19 UK) to coordinate help and support in the village for those who are elderly, disabled or immunocompromised

IP9: Shotley and Ewarton: Shotley & Ewarton Good Neighbours Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 07799 873881, e-mail: none given

Offers help with small domestic jobs, collection of prescriptions, befriending, and more

Also, Facebook group: Shotley Coronabuddies (signposts to Shotley & Ewarton Good Neighbours Scheme)

 

IP9 Bentley: Bentley Support Group (C-19)

Tel: 07866 649108 (Annie Owen). e-mail: annyo@btinternet.com

Offers assistance with shopping, prescription delivery or a chat to help reduce feelings of isolation.

The website refers to the Suffolk County Council “Home But Not Alone” scheme which is no longer in operation.

IP9 Holbrook: Holbrook Helpers (C-19)

Tel: Contact names and telephone numbers for several contacts are given at the link above, e-mail: none given

Offers assistance with essential shopping, collecting prescriptions, exercising a pet, or a chat.

 

IP10 Kirton, Nacton and Levington

IP10: Kirton and Falkenham: Parish Council (C-19)

Tel: 07505 363249, e-mail: none given

Offers assistance with shopping or a chat.

 

IP11 Felixstowe

IP11 Felixstowe: Felixstowe Helping Hands (C-19)

Tel: 07479 556736, e-mail: none given

Help with collection/ delivery of essential food supplies and prescriptions. Calls to give reassurance and combat loneliness.

 

IP12 Woodbridge, Melton, Orford, Hollesley peninsula

IP12 Melton: Good Neighbour Scheme - Melton (GNS)

Tel: 0333 3355366, e-mail: meltonGNS@gmail.com

The group will help with prescription collection, shopping and can offer a a simple friendly phone call to check in.

IP12 Rendlesham: Rendlesham Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 07486 551004, e-mail: none given

Offering shopping, dog walking and more (see website)

 

IP12 Orford: Orford, Gedgrave and Sudbourne Hall Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 01394 450235, e-mail: none given

Collection of prescriptions from the Peninsula Practice, shopping, dog walking and more (see website)

IP12 Hollesley : Hollesley, Boyton & Shingle Street Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 07707 850126, e-mail: none given

Pick up shopping, errands, befriending, dog walking and more (see website)

IP12: Ufford: Helping Ufford Group (HUG) (C-19)

Tel: 07595 970139, e-mail: HelpingUffordGroup@gmail.com

Information is from the May 2020 edition of Punch, the Ufford village magazine

Offers to deliver groceries, collect prescriptions, arrange foodbank deliveries, essential errands and calls to the lonely.

Private Facebook Group: Helping Ufford Group (HUG)

 

IP13 Framlingham, Laxfield and area

IP13 Framlingham: Hour Community (GNS)

Tel: 01728 440511, e-mail: none given.

Offers help with shopping, prescription collection and more (see website at link above).

Hour Community has been in operation since 2011 and offers services such as befriending, transport, help with shopping, dog walking, small DIY jobs. Hour Community also runs the Worry Tree Cafe which offers support and friendship to those experiencing mental health challenges.

Tel: 01728 440533 (Hour Community - Worry Tree)

IP13 Wickham Market: Wickham Market Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 07914 494108, e-mail: none given

Offers help with shopping, meal preparation, practical jobs. Volunteers will arrange a home visit to assess needs.

 

IP14 Stowmarket, Debenham and area

IP14 Stowmarket: Stowmarket Self Isolation Helpers (C-19)

Tel: none given, e-mail: none given

Contact via private facebook group (link above).

Offers community support for the most vulnerable.

IP14 Elmswell: Elmswell Community Group (C-19)

Tel: none given, e-mail: none given

Contact only via private facebook group (link above).

Offer help with collection of shopping/ prescriptions and being at the end of a phone for those in need.

IP14 Bacton, Cotton & Wyverstone: Bacton, Cotton & Wyverstone Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 07980 948641, e-mail: none given

Offers assistance to those in need.

IP14 Dagworth, Old Newton & Gipping: Dagworth, Old Newton & Gipping Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 01449 615292, e-mail: none given

Offers assistance with shopping/ prescriptions, friendly chat and more. Information from Suffolk Infolink

IP14 Stowupland: Stowupland Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 07591 539621, e-mail: none given

Offers assistance to those in need.

 

IP15 Aldeburgh

IP15 Aldeburgh: Aldeburgh Good Neighbour Scheme (AGNES) (GNS)

Tel: 07773 031064, e-mail: none given

Shopping, transport, assistance for elderly and those isolating

 

IP16 Leiston and area

IP16 Leiston: Leiston Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 07724 777465, e-mail: leistongoodneighbour@gmail.com

Covers Leiston, Sizewall and Knodishall

Volunteers may visit for a chat, help fill in a form, collect prescriptions & shopping.

IP16 Aldringham: Aldringham-cum-Thorpe Good Neighbours Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 07521 047843, e-mail: none given

Covers Aldringham and Thorpeness

Volunteers may visit for a chat, help fill in a form, collect prescriptions & shopping, exercise a pet (see website for more details)

IP16 Theberton: Theberton and Eastbridge Parish Council (C-19)

Tel: (Julie Glenn) 07921 138430 or 01728 830780, e-mail: julglenn@gmail.com

Help with picking up prescriptions, dog walking & shopping (info on home delivery)

 

IP17 Saxmundham, Yoxford and area

IP17: Saxmundham: IP17 Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Covers Saxmundham, Kelsale-cum Carlton, Benhall and Sternfield

Tel: 0333 335 5266, e-mail: help@ip17gns.com

Offers collection and delivery of shopping/ prescriptions and friendly phone buddy scheme.

IP17 Snape: Snape Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 07541 754426, e-mail: none given

Offers befriending, support with shopping, minor technology support, dog-walking and more.

IP17 Yoxford: COVID19 Support Yoxford (C-19)

Contact via private Facebook group (link above).

Tel: none given, e-mail: none given

Offers help with shopping, prescriptions or a chat.

IP17: Knodishall: Leiston Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Knodishall is covered by the Leiston Good Neighbour Scheme

Tel: 07724 777465, e-mail: leistongoodneighbour@gmail.com

 

IP21 Stradbroke and area

IP21 Stradbroke & Wilby Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 07749 445531

No other information available

 

IP23 Eye and area

IP23 Eye: Coronavirus help in and around Eye (C-19)

All contact via private Facebook group. Tel: none given, e-mail: none given.

Offers to provide food and collect prescriptions.

Town Council website signposts to Suffolk County Council Home But Not Alone (inactive)

 

CO7 East Bergholt and area

CO7 East Bergholt: East Bergholt COVID-19 Community Support (C-19)

Tel: 01206 298366, 01206 299844 or 01206 299776

Offers assistance with shopping, prescription collection and moral support.

 

CO10 Lavenham, Boxford and area

CO10 Lavenham: Lavenham Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 07922 850082, e-mail: lavenhamcbs@gmail.com

Provides help with shopping, befriending, small household tasks and more.

CO10 Boxford: Boxford Parish Council (C-19)

Tel: 07395 914959, e-mail none given

Covers Boxford, Edwardstone & Groton

“We are encouraging everyone to check on neighbours, family and friends, that if they are self-isolating or worried about going out, they have enough supplies, medication etc. If you are unable to help them, please contact us and we will find someone to help. “

 

CO11 Brantham

CO11 Brantham: Brantham Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)

Tel: 07541 359036, e-mail: none given

Private facebook group. Offers help with collecting prescriptions, shopping, befriending, dog walking, minor household tasks and more.