Community Support

Compassionate Communities

Compassionate Communities is part of a local project to support living life fully before we die, providing companions for people and families affected by life-limiting illness, and starting conversations about end of life.

Please click on this link to find out more.

We are delighted to be sharing with you our film about Compassionate Communities, and in particular, the role of our Compassionate Companions.

To watch our film please click on the links belows:

https://youtu.be/PCGAwPCVQiE (without subtitles)

https://youtu.be/83X3ISOeyMQ (with subtitles)

This is part of a Pilot Project run by Peninsula Practice with plans to develop and widen the training.

For more information please visit the website through the link https://www.compassionate-communities.co.uk/

Suffolk Advice & Support Service

Suffolk Advice & Support Services is there for all Suffolk residents.

To find out more please click on this link or call 0800 0683131

Letters To Loved Ones

Keep in touch with friends or relatives in hospital by using the Letters to Loved Ones email and message service. Whilst visiting times are restricted, patients can now keep in touch with friends or relatives by using the new Letters to Loved Ones service.

Please click on this link to find out more.

Home But Not Alone

A new Suffolk-focused community service has been set up to support people who need help during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Called ‘Home But Not Alone’, the service has been launched to help connect people who want to volunteer in their communities with neighbours who are most in need.

The service will mean willing volunteers, charities, town and parish councils, community and religious groups can all log their details and offers of support on an app, while people who need help can phone to request support.

As the number of offers and requests grows, they will be matched so that the right help can be given where it’s most needed. T

The telephone number for those in genuine need of help is freephone 0800 876 6926 and will be staffed from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week.

The Home, But Not Alone service was created by partners from Suffolk’s councils, police, health bodies and charitable organisations which come together as the Collaborative Communities Board.

Please click on this link to find out more.

Coastal Accessible Transport Service (CATS)

CATS is a community transport operator providing Demand Responsive Bus Service, Door to Door Services, Community Car scheme and Group hire for non-profit organisations.

All vehicles are wheelchair accessible and services are open to anyone who suffer with a disabilty, isolation due to mobilty impairment or not being able to access public services.

CATS are currently not able to provide their community car service due to Covid 19 but they are still able to cover these journeys in their own MPV vehicle subject to volunteer availability at the same cost as their car service 45p per mile, so anyone with medical appointments at Ipswich Hospital will be able to use this service (cost £25.20 wait & return)

These prices can vary depending on the pick-up point.

CATS transport to Orford Surgery can be offered either via the MPV (Wait & Return Cost £14.85 ) or the rural bus service (return fare cost £8.75 Booked times) or to Landseer Road Surgery in Ipswich at a cost of £27.90 (wait & return).

All services are pre-bookable.

For more information please call 01728 830516 or click on this link.

Red Cross

Red Cross Ipswich offer a service to drive people to face to face appointments at Ipswich Hospital. If you would like to use this service you must be able to access a four wheel drive vechicle.

For more information please phone 07834 496772 or click on this link.

Support In the Community

The following local community groups and organisations have offered support to help vunerable people within our community.

Aldeburgh Good Neighbour Scheme

Our services cover those living in the IP15 postal code.

We anticipate that there will be a big requirement now for shopping for those in need.

Many of our calls are for advice on subjects such as care for the elderly and infirm.

Where we cannot help, we refer these enquiries onto the appropriate services and agencies.

We have a mobile telephone number 0777303 1064 and we advertise that the phone is manned by a Duty Co-ordinator from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

All requests for our services must come through the AGNES phone 07773 031064.

Alderton Parish Council

Aldertion Parish Council are offering to assist with shopping, collection of medications and any other needs for those who live in Alderton and the surrounding area. They are unable to take people to medical appointments due to social distancing.

Please contact: Joy Andrews 01394 411596

Or click on link to access their website and email contact details.

Aldringham cum Thorpe Good Neighbour Scheme

To contact Aldringham cum Thorpe Good Neighbour Scheme please phone 07521 047 843 and leave a message a volunteer will call you back.

If you don't hear back within 24 hours, please call Pippa McLardy on 01728 454565.

Hollesley, Boyton & Shingle Street Good Neighbour Scheme

The Hollesley, Boyton & Shingle Street Good Neighbour Scheme are offering assistance with shopping and prescription collection for vulnerable people. To find out more please click this link.

Iken Parish Council

Iken Parish Council looks after all of its own residents. They have systems in place to help each other with all their needs – shopping, medication, healthcare etc. They have personal contact with everyone. For more information please call Lorraine Lloyd 01728 602348

Leiston Good Neighbour Scheme

Leiston Good Neighbour scheme offers support and help to those in need. Please call 07724 777465 or email leistongoodneighbour@gmail.com

Orford, Gedgrave & Sudbourne Park Good Neighbour Scheme

The Orford, Gedgrave & Sudbourne Park Good Neighbour Scheme are offering assistance with shopping and prescription collection for people self isolating. To find our more please click on this link.

Rendlesham Good Neighbour Scheme

Rendlesham Good Neighbour Scheme have put in place a scheme to fetch groceries & essentials for anyone having to self-isolate. Simply call 07486 551 004 & they will call you back to discuss your needs.

Rendlesham Good Neighbour Scheme normally covers Rendlesham Parish but they are happy to cover surrounding areas if you do not have access to a Good Neighbour Scheme.

Shottisham Community Support

Shottisham Community is offering support and help for those in need for more information please call Patricia Southgate 01394 410110 or email her at pat.southgate@hotmail.com

Snape Good Neighbour Scheme

Snape Village offer a Good Neighbour Scheme for more information please call 07541 754426

Sudbourne Good Neighbour Scheme

To contact Sudbourne Good Neighbour Scheme 07860 307887 or 01394 459772