VOLUNTEERS are wanted to lend a friendly hand to their neighbours in Oxford.

Residents in Blackbird Leys are trying to get a Good Neighbour scheme off the ground to offer support to people living in their community.

Tasks could include shopping if someone has just come out of hospital, taking people to medical appointments, collecting prescriptions, walking dogs, changing library books or reading post for people with sight problems.

Jim Saunders, of Agnes Smith Advice Centre, in Blackbird Leys Road, is helping to co-ordinate the scheme. He said volunteers could offer whatever time they wished, from whole days to a few hours.

Mr Saunders said: “An informal working group has already been set up to start making the scheme work for Blackbird Leys and organisers are now looking for volunteers who are prepared to give just one or two hours a week.”

He added: “I think there are a couple of similar initiatives already that do the odd little bit, but something that will do it to the extent that we’re thinking of doing is lacking on the estate.

“We’re looking for as many volunteers as we can get, we have no set number. When you think of the size of Blackbird Leys, it’s going to have to be quite a few.

“The scheme will make for a better life for everyone in the community because people will feel involved and will be able to help other people less fortunate than themselves.”

Mr Saunders said a similar scheme existed in the 1980s, but died out in the 1990s because of a lack of support.

This one will be managed by an organiser who will receive requests and allocate tasks to volunteers, supported by a steering group.

The Blackbird Leys scheme will join eight already operating in the county, including Banbury, Bicester, Ducklington, Chipping Norton, and Oxford.

Schemes in Kidlington, Charlbury, Long Hanborough and Oi Sum, the Chinese Good Neighbours Scheme, have received start-up grants for their launch.

County council spokesman Marcus Mabberley said the scheme in Blackbird Leys was in its earlier stages.

He said: “Good Neighbour Scheme volunteers don’t replace carers and aren’t able to provide personal care.

“They’re not able to assist people experiencing severe mental health problems.

“We will work with those involved at Blackbird Leys to enable them to bid for a grant and to advise them on basic start-up costs.”

Start-up grants are available from organisations including Oxfordshire Rural Community Council, parish councils, Awards for All and the Community Support Fund, managed by the county council.

All volunteers will be checked to see if they have a criminal record. To get involved, call Mr Saunders on 01865 770206.