A ‘GOOD Neighbour’ scheme is being launched in Porlock Vale covering an area stretching as far as Wootton Courtenay.

Porlock Information Centre wants to hear of anybody who might need a little help or support after an illness, or perhaps looking for longer companionship through its befriending scheme.

Information centre manager Deborah Stanyon said: “We would be particularly interested in hearing from anybody who might be able to offer to help members of our community with digital technology at home, or offer a lift for people to get to community events or get to a shop.

“The team at Porlock Information Centre have been working hard to get the ‘Good Neighbour’ scheme in place and we are very grateful to all who have offered to become a ‘Good Neighbour’ to help support those who might need some short-term emergency help at home, or maybe some longer support.

“Sadly, in today’s litigious world, we have to jump through hoops to get the right paperwork, etc, in place, when all we want to do is offer some neighbourly support.

“We have to carry out Disclosing and Barring Scheme (DBS) checks on volunteers, as a requirement of our public liability insurance.

“This will also protect our volunteers and community.

“They are very straightforward to do and we will help anybody to apply for a DBS check.

“We are currently meeting the cost of carrying out the DBS checks.

“This is a new project for us and we ask you to bear with us in the early days, as we get to know what you need and how best we can help and as we build up our team of volunteers.”

More details are available by calling the information centre on 01643 863150 or emailing to [email protected] to make contact with ‘Good Neighbour’ champion Paul.