Good Neighbours Support Service

Transport Forums

coordinator — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:52:46 +0000

A new round of Transport Forums is taking place in every district of the Hampshire County Council area. The focus will be on the Community Transport services (including the voluntary car schemes of the Good Neighbours groups) available in each district. For details see the EVENTS section.

Frimley Park Hospital meeting on Monday 21 May 2012

coordinator — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:37:26 +0000

There is a meeting for Good Neighbours groups that drive people to and from Frimley Park Hospital this coming Monday 21 May. See the TRANSPORT page for minutes of last meeting and more details.

Annual Grant applications for 2012/13

coordinator — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:22:33 +0000

The 2012/13 application form for Annual Grants to Good Neighbours groups with reserves of less than £1,000 is now available to be downloaded from our DOCUMENTS section (see above).

Application forms should be returned by the end of July 2012.

Parking for voluntary car schemes at Basingstoke & North Hampshire Hospital – an update for drivers with Good Neighbours groups.

coordinator — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 12:55:28 +0000

There are four voluntary car scheme places down the slope from the main entrance to the hospital. In addition, on the same level as the main entrance, there are disabled bays (if your client has a Blue Badge); plus drop off spaces and 10 minute bays (which Good Neighbours groups can use). There are also some spaces marked “Mobility” for people with mobility problems (which probably is the majority of clients you bring to the hospital, so again can be used by Good Neighbours groups’ volunteer drivers).

Wheelchairs are available in the main reception area – or ask at the Reception desk.

If you use the car park there is no longer a need to use the white plastic credit card-style parking passes – the yellow Hampshire Hospital Parking Permits are all you need. Once you have parked in the car park, take your yellow Permit to the EFM (Estates Facilities Management) desk to the left of Main Reception and they will make your parking ticket let you out at no charge.

We are planning to have a meeting for Good Neighbours groups hosted by the hospital later in the year. In the meantime if you have any questions please contact the Good Neighbours Support Service.

Hospital Parking for Volunteer Drivers – updated booklet

coordinator — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:53:55 +0000

Hampshire County Council’s Community Transport team have updated the Hospital Parking for Volunteer Drivers in Hampshire booklet.

It can be downloaded here:

http://www3.hants.gov.uk/passengertransport/transport-advice/hospitalparkingbooklet.htm

If any group in the Good Neighbours Network has any comments or suggestions for amendments, please contact the Good Neighbours Support Service.

Motor insurers promise not to charge extra

coordinator — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:17:11 +0000

Car insurance companies should not be charging extra for voluntary driving with Good Neighbours groups. The Good Neighbours Support Service has worked with the Association of British Insurers which has now published the Volunteer Drivers Commitment, a statement by around 85% of the market that they will cover volunteer driving at no extra cost.

The press release can be found at:

http://www.abi.org.uk/Media/Releases/2011/08/MOTOR_INSURERS_SUPPORT_BIG_SOCIETY_AND_GIVE_GREEN_LIGHT_TO_VOLUNTEER_DRIVERS__.aspx

The commitment listing car insurance companies can be accessed at

http://www.abi.org.uk/Information/Consumers/General/Volunteer_Driving_.aspx

The document will be updated whenever a change is notified by insurers, and it is important that the most up to date version is used.

Mary Mitchell, Coordinator, Good Neighbours Support Service, says “This is great news and something we have worked with the ABI to achieve. Potential volunteers can now see which companies recognise volunteer driving – and charge nothing extra.”

Matthew Young, Policy Adviser, ABI, says: “Insurers have given massive backing to enable volunteers to benefit their local communities and we’ve worked closely with local and national voluntary organisations, such as the Good Neighbours Support Service, to bring this about. Their advice and guidance has been invaluable in setting up the Volunteer Drivers Commitment, and we hope the message will be spread far and wide that motor insurers want to encourage volunteering across the UK.”