A CHARITY that aims to support indepedent living for the elderly and most vulnerable members of the community is looking for volunteers to continue its work.

Ilkley and District Good Neighbours recently held a special event at the Clarke Foley Centre in Ilkley to promote the charity’s services, and the need for additional volunteers to meet the ever-increasing requirements of local residents.

Mike Dixon, Ilkley’s local historian, opened the event with an interesting, informative talk on Ilkley and the Water Cure. A buffet lunch followed the talk, which was attended by more than 70 guests.

Ilkley Good Neighbours operates various schemes to support independent living in the district, but its main focus is on providing a free Befriending and Shop Assist Scheme.

The Befriending scheme aims to enhance the quality of life of local people, usually those 70 years and older, by offering a trusting friendship, which can reduce isolation and may enable the beneficiary to participate in new activities, widening their horizons.

Working in partnership with other agencies locally, Befriending hopes to enhance the quality of life for older people in Addingham, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Ilkley and Menston.

Meanwhile, the ShopAssist scheme – described as a local lifeline – aims to enhance the mental and physical health of the community by enabling people to get out of their homes on a regular basis and facilitating access to a range of healthy foods.

The project connects elderly or infirm people with volunteers, who spare a couple of hours a week helping with their shopping at a local supermarket.

The Good Neighbours are looking for anyone who would be able to spend an hour or two on a weekly basis as a befriender or ShopAssist volunteer.

It is also seeking to recruit a Volunteer Shop Assist Co-ordinator to replace Wendy Cubie, who will be retiring from the position in the near future after three years in the post.

The position, which requires a weekly commitment of about four hours, involves helping to manage a shopping service by co-ordinating volunteers and clients. Full training and support will be provided.

Call 01943 603348 or e-mail shopassist@goodneighbours.ilkley.org to find out more about volunteering or the services provided by Ilkley and District Good Neighbours.