Residents of Kidlington and neighbouring villages should be proud of their volunteering population.

In June 2010, the information centre in Kidlington set about introducing a more caring and hands-on approach to providing help and make life easier to its elderly and disabled residents, by introducing the Good Neighbour Scheme.

The scheme, that relies on volunteers to ‘donate’ about an hour of their time a week, aims to offer support to people by offering help from running errands, collecting prescriptions or looking after and walking pets, visiting and befriending.

Since the scheme started, it has gone from strength to strength and it now has more than 50 volunteers, and about 80 ‘clients’, and the scheme has received much praise from the local community that receives vital help.

A satisfied client said: “I would like to say a big thank you for arranging for two jobs to be undertaken and an equally big thank you for the volunteer for doing them.

“I had been trying to find someone for 18 months and six months respectively and was beginning to despair of ever getting them fixed. I cannot believe they have been done — thank you all very much.”

Last year, activities that proved most popular were gardening in the summer, with befriending and dog walking coming a close second.

A staff members of the scheme said: “It never ceases to amaze us how people of Kidlington and surrounding villages are so good natured and are prepared to give up their time to help someone less able to do things for themselves.

“We’ve had some lovely comments from grateful clients, so it has been an all-round success story.”

The scheme is in its second year and is always looking for new volunteers. At present the scheme covers the areas of Kidlington and district geographically, this roughly equates to Kidlington and the villages surrounding it, such as Begbroke, Islip, Bletchingdon, Yarnton, and Cassington.

If you think you could spare an hour or so a week please contact Lesley or Coral on 01865 378479. Alternatively you can apply by popping into their offices between 10am and 3pm, Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Kidlington and District Information Centre, in Exeter Hall, Oxford Road.

If you are interested in contributing to this column contact OCVA (Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action) by email at voluntaryvoice@ocva.org.uk or call Jackie Balchin on 01865 258915