Just about a year ago David Hance, who lives in Guestling, was talking to a friend who volunteered for Age UK once a week and described the sad state of affairs in which many older people found themselves. David thought that he might be able to offer his services to Age UK to assist elderly people with little jobs in their own homes. Age UK (Hastings office) made it quite plain that his services were not needed and that set him thinking.
He approached a couple of friends from Guestling and the nearby village of Pett, and asked them if they would join him in setting up a community help group.They agreed and he then put up notices in the doctor’s surgery, the butcher’s and both village halls. He was then shown an advert in Your County, an ESCC publication, advertising the existence of RVA (Rother Voluntary Action), which said it could help in setting up local community help groups in Rother. He got in touch with RVA and they were able to offer advice and initial financial support.
With the help of friends, questionnaires were delivered to every house in the two villages and when these were returned it was seen that not only was there a need for such an organisation but that there were plenty of people willing to help. A meeting was set up at Pett Village Hall. A representative from RVA attended and the chairman of a similar group in Robertsbridge came to offer advice. Most important of all, more than 30 volunteers attended, and DBS security checks for volunteers working with vulnerable people were arranged. A very small committee was formed, insurance was put in place and in June this year the Guestling and Pett Community Friends became established with its own mobile phone helpline Tel: 0734 803325.
Money was going to be a problem and RVA suggested that David might apply to Safer in Sussex Community Fund. This he did , setting out their case and asking for £650. In August he was advised that his application had been successful and that a reception was to be held at Sackville House in Lewes on November 8 hosted by Katy Bourne, the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner. David was asked to give a short talk on their organisation and its work. All the successful applicants were presented with their cheques.
Guestling and Pett Community Friends are now thriving and are performing various tasks for elderly and infirm residents in the locality.
Photo: Natacha Skelton