Residents, business owners, councillors and charity representatives attended a celebration of one of west Suffolk’s neighbourhood initiatives.

East Anglian Daily Times: A strawberry tea was held to celebrate a good neighbour scheme in west Suffolk Picture: LEXIA AGENCYA strawberry tea was held to celebrate a good neighbour scheme in west Suffolk Picture: LEXIA AGENCY (Image: Archant)

Horringer Good Neighbour Scheme held a strawberry tea for around 60 elderly residents, which was also attended by members of the county’s police force.

The Good Neighbour Network in Suffolk comprises a total of 35 projects across the entire county, and is led by umbrella voluntary sector organisation, Community Action Suffolk.

The recent strawberry tea, held at Horringer Community Centre, saw residents discussing the issues of elderly populations in Suffolk, and applauding the work which GNS is achieving in preventing isolation.

Sally Connick, Good Neighbour Scheme development officer, said: “There are a total of 35 schemes in the Suffolk Good Neighbour Network, and each one is quietly making sure that everyone in their community has a good neighbour to call upon.

“The schemes are a vital life line for many people, providing them with company, lifts, a little shopping, help around the home and advice or signposting.

“The strawberry tea was enormously well received and allowed all those involved - from those who organise it, to those who call upon its services - to share their experiences and say what they see as the benefits to a rural population like we have here in the county.

“At Community Action Suffolk we are so incredibly proud of what GNS creates for the county and its elderly population, and we’ve been delighted with the feedback.”

Community Action Suffolk is keen to continue expanding the network and is keen to hear from anyone interested in setting one up in their neighbourhood.

For more information, contact Sally and her team directly on 01473 345400 or by emailing info@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk