The 80 volunteers help Cardiff’s ageing population with everything from popping to the shops to attending hospital appointments
ELDERLY residents in Rhiwbina will be helped to remain in their own homes for longer, thanks to a £22,000 grant given to a charity that supports older residents with day-to-day tasks.
Good Neighbours in North Cardiff has been a registered charity since 2000 and covers the areas of Thornhill, Llanishen, Lisvane, Heath, Roath Park, Lakeside, and West Cyncoed—and, as of this month, Rhiwbina.
Chair of the charity, Rosemary Mathews, 68, said: “We try and help the community any way we can. It could be taking them out to the supermarket, taking them to a social event or hospital appointment, or simply providing companionship – a cup of tea and a chat.
“Unfortunately, there have been other good neighbours’ schemes in Cardiff that have dwindled over time – including the one in Rhiwbina eight years ago. We were getting calls from that area, but we could not support them.”
As an independent charity, it relies solely on donations from people using the service, money raised from fundraising events and trusts who support the work they do.
The grant, received from the Wales Council for Voluntary Action, has enabled the charity to modernise – helping promote the work they do, recruitment of a community engagement volunteer officer to support the key areas, and expansion into Rhiwbina.
“We do about 5,000 hours of volunteering a year, and in that time, volunteers establish friendships – almost like an extended member of the family, and I am delighted we are now able to reach more people.”
Alison Gibbons, 78, joined the charity in 1999 and said: “These days, younger people are moving away for work, and this means that older people are left without that support from relatives close by.
“Although my mum was fairly active, I worried about her going further afield at her home in Bristol because buses at the time were really bad.
“I thought if someone was able to do something for her, then I’d return the favour and do something for someone else’s mum here in Cardiff, and that’s when I got involved with Good Neighbours.
“For us volunteers, the value isn’t just in taking someone shopping, but the companionship on the way there. Sometimes, you’re the only person they’ve spoken to all week, and you get to find out about their lives, and they get to find out about yours and there’s a real importance in building that relationship.”
Ms Gibbons acted as treasurer for the charity up until last year, and in 2023, was awarded trustee of the year at Cardiff Volunteer Awards.
“I was very proud when I won, but I felt I was accepting it on behalf of our whole charity. It gave us a good opportunity to speak about Good Neighbours, and more people were able to find out about the great work that we do,” she said.
“I was always brought up to be nice and respectful to others, so this award was just a testament to my upbringing.”
Image: Alison Gibbons with her Volunteer of the year award. Credit: Joe Hearn
Wanting to remain active after giving up football and golf, Brian Horne, 78, began volunteering for Good Neighbours in 2023.
“I meet with a gentleman every week, help him get his shopping, and then I sit and chat with him about his day. He is in assisted living but tries to keep his independence as much as he can, and without me, he wouldn’t be able to leave his home,” said Mr Horne.
“The more I speak with colleagues; I realise there are a lot of people who are lonely and unable to get themselves out and about. I look forward to meeting with him every week and without being smug about it, makes you feel like you’re making a difference.
“Making people aware of the scheme and attracting more volunteers is what we need to do, and now we’ve extended into Rhiwbina, a lot more people can benefit.”
A report by Cardiff Partnership found that the percentage of over 65s in Cardiff is set to increase by 15.7% over the next 10 years and will account for around 15.8% of the entire population – meaning Good Neighbour schemes will be vital in the future to ensure our most vulnerable and elderly in the north of Cardiff are taken care of.
- If you wish to become a volunteer or a client, you can contact them by emailing gninc.org.uk or by calling 029 2075 0751
