News
Good News for Basingstoke NeighbourCare
New Community Hub
A new wrap-around one-stop place for older people and those caring for them, supported by Hampshire County Council. A full programme of events and activities, as well as affordable refreshments, including a two-course hot lunch. Plus, providing Information, Support, and Signposting from other organisations in Basingstoke. Opening on Thursday 3rd April, held twice monthly in the easily accessible Popley Fields Community Centre, Carpenters Down, Popley.
Would you like to get involved with supporting your local community in Popley?
We are looking for people to help as:
Kitchen Assistants, help prepare the freshly cooked lunch.
Thursday Volunteer Drivers, to bring people along each week (mileage is reimbursed).
Chatter and Natter Hosts, to be a friendly, welcoming face to our customers, making them feel comfortable and helping to kick-start conversations.
Lunch Table Hosts to dine with our customers, ensuring everyone on the table is included in the conversation. Help carry the meals to the tables and clear tables away at the end.
Knit ‘n’ Natter Host.
Bingo Caller.
Do you have a few hours to spare on the first and third Thursdays of the month? Would you be interested in joining the team of volunteers?
Please contact our team on 01256 423855 to learn more.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation
A huge THANK YOU to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation for the significant funding we have received from their Including Communities Programme. The foundation makes grants that support organisations across Hampshire. 'Small charities have the advantage of being embedded within their communities; they understand the complexities of the issues their clients may be facing, and are able to meet demands as they emerge'.
This funding will help us continue the support we offer to older people at our drop in Community Cafés at Church Cottage (Tuesday) and Brighton Hill (Wednesday).
National Lottery Grant
We are delighted to announce a huge grant of £19,500 from the National Lottery Community Fund, raised by National Lottery players for good causes. A huge thank you to National Lottery players from all of us at NeighbourCare.
This will enable NeighbourCare to reach more older people, supporting them with an enhanced quality of life, enabling them to remain longer in their own homes.
Geoffrey Belsham, Chairperson, said “Thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund, we can directly support more people across Basingstoke and build a stronger, more connected community. Loneliness and isolation are growing issues, and we aim to make a real difference”.
Chairperson with our team
Grocers' Charity Grant
We are very grateful to the Grocers' Charity for a £5,000 grant for 2025 towards our accompanied driving service that enables over 400 older people to get out and about, able to attend essential appointments, all with the help of our 55 volunteer car drivers.
Hampshire Housebuilder Supports Older People Through Donation
On July 4th Hampshire housebuilder Redrow Southern Counties presented Basingstoke NeighbourCare with a £450 donation towards the charity’s work of supporting independence in older people.
This donation from Redrow’s Southern Counties division will go towards the costs of delivering our services, ensuring people can get out and about and have opportunities to socialise. More volunteer car drivers are needed to take even more people to essential medical appointments, more information how you can help from our team on 01256 423855.
Geoff Belsham, Chair of Basingstoke NeighbourCare, said: “It is vital that we provide support through our team to help older people continue to live life to the fullest. People who use our services are able to live independently for longer in their own homes while also interacting with our volunteers who provide companionship and practical help to those who live on their own.”
“On behalf of everyone at Basingstoke NeighbourCare, I would like to thank Redrow Southern Counties for their generous donation.”
The donation is part of Redrow Southern Counties’ Community Fund which launched this year to provide organisations, schools and groups at the heart of the community with donations to help them thrive. The housebuilder has also provided investment in the communities surrounding their developments through contributions toward education, healthcare, public transport and affordable housing.
Mark Vanson, Sales Director at Redrow Southern Counties, said: “We’re committed to creating thriving communities both within our developments and the wider area and are delighted to be able to support Basingstoke NeighbourCare.
Redrow’s Southern Counties division, headquartered in Basingstoke, has a range of energy-efficient homes available across their developments in Hampshire.
Our team with Sally-Ann from Redrow
Over 55s Forum
Basingstoke NeighbourCare thanks everyone at Basingstoke and Deane Over 55s Forum, as we are their charity of the year, for a generous donation of £338 given to our work. As part of our fundraising programme to ensure that all of our essential services can continue, it is a valuable contribution to the support of our work. We wish the Over 55s Forum success in all they do. - Geoff Belsham Chair
NeighbourCare Trustees and staff with Trustees of Over 55s Forum
A very BIG THANK YOU!
A very big Thank you to Barratt Southern Counties who donated £1000 to Basingstoke Neighbour Care. This generous donation will help to support us to continue to offer our service for over 500 older people and around 100 volunteers.
Good News for Basingstoke NeighbourCare
Basingstoke NeighbourCare receives the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service from the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire
Basingstoke NeighbourCare were honoured to recently welcome the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson Esq. to a special gathering of Basingstoke NeighbourCare volunteers at the Apollo Hotel. At the event, the Lord Lieutenant, together with the Mayor of Basingstoke Cllr Onnalee Cubitt and Sean Keating a former Mayor were in attendance, when Mr Atkinson was able to finally present the Queen’s Award in person, after it was awarded during lockdown, in June 2020. The small group present was able to witness receipt of a signed certificate from Her Majesty the Queen, and a crystal award with the QAVS insignia.
This is a tremendous achievement which recognises the dedication, excellence and compassion of our volunteers who have continued to provide a service throughout the pandemic. While the award was made before Covid, it is recognition of the efforts and flexibility many of the volunteers have demonstrated which makes Basingstoke NeighbourCare the success it is. We all feel very honoured to be a part of an organisation receiving such a prestigious award.
Thank you to our Volunteers
21st ANNIVERSARY EVENT
September 2018 marked the 21st year of Basingstoke NeighbourCare. A tea party celebration was held at the Anvil. Present were the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, NeighbourCare Patron Lady Portsmouth and the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane.
Basingstoke NeighbourCare chair Colin Hunsley said: “I would like to thank our drivers and all the other wonderful volunteers who provide our driving and befriending service. They are what make this charity a success, without them we would be nothing. I would also like to thank our Coordinators who provide the glue that links the clients and their requirements to the volunteers who provide the services.”
The event was attended by people who have been with the charity for many years including Gerald Merritt who has been a volunteer driver for 14 years after spotting an advert in the Gazette. Gerald said: “It’s so interesting to do as you get to meet so many different people, I really could fill a book with the stories I get told. “You really get to know the people that you drive around and for some people you are the only other person they will see that day and they really open up to you. They always appreciate us, and we are lucky to have this service here.”
Borough Mayor Cllr Sean Keating, who was a volunteer driver with NeighbourCare for 10 years, after he took early retirement, said: “I’m delighted with how NeighbourCare is now. It is very well organised, and it was great fun when I was doing it.
The Celebration Tea Party was attended by 100 volunteers, previous staff and Trustees, associated charities including Basingstoke Voluntary Action and members of the County and local Council. A special Celebration Cake was enjoyed by everyone.