The aim of Neighbourhood Health Watch is to increase community resilience, reduce isolation & loneliness and help communities improve their overall health and wellbeing. The £10,000 scheme brings together the NHS, police, fire and rescue, and volunteers to look out for vulnerable people in their communities. This could include collecting prescriptions or picking up shopping for a neighbour, helping with minor DIY tasks, looking after pets while the owner is in hospital or giving a neighbour a lift to a doctor’s appointment.
Dr David Jenner, a GP from Cullompton and Chair of the Eastern Locality of NEW Devon CCG, said: “We know that getting out and about is more difficult for some people and this can make accessing healthcare a problem. “Neighbourhood Health Watch bridges the gap between people’s homes and the healthcare services out in the community. “As well as helping people to keep on top of their physical health by making sure they have the medication they need, volunteers provide vital support which can stop people feeling so isolated, and that can improve people’s mental health too.”
The first Neighbourhood Watch Scheme was set up in 2011 and they continue to be established across Devon.
There are currently 11 active groups and providing around 300 good neighbour volunteers in total. More communities across Devon are interested in setting up their own watches. www.neighbourhoodhealthwatch.org.uk