AN AWARD-WINNING Basingstoke charity that caters to older members of the community is celebrating their silver jubilee this year.

Basingstoke Neighbourcare (BNC), which run from The Orchard on White Hart Lane, help those in genuine need in Basingsotke and surrounding areas like Tadley and Sherfield on Loddon by providing support to maintain their independence.

The charity has won the Queens Award for Voluntary Service last year– the ‘Charitable equivalent of the MBE’.

READ MORE: Major boost for Inspero helping vulnerable people with food and wellbeing

BNC offers an accompanied transport scheme, where, in return for a small donation, clients are driven by volunteers to hospital and doctors’ appointments and a wide variety of other journeys like shopping and lunch clubs, locally and occasionally regionally.

They also arrange befriending visits to local people who for one reason or another could do with some company. The “befrienders” typically drop in for a chat and a “cuppa” to help relieve loneliness. Befrienders may also occasionally help clients with simple tasks like reading and writing letters.

SEE ALSO: Driving with a dog in your car could land you £5,000 fine

Steve Vaux, one of the trustees of the charity, said: “We are very excited about the silver jubilee.

“A couple of volunteers from the charity are invited to go to the Queen’s Garden Party as part of her Platinum Jubilee. We are also organising a summer party this year for our volunteers and our clients.”

BNC currently have more than 120 volunteers and 600 clients. The charity is supported by the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, local councillors, several larger trusts, institutional donors and smaller donations from local businesses and residents.

The charity are keen at all times to recruit more volunteers, both drivers and befrienders. They are also very keen, particularly as we move out of the worst effects of Covid-19, to hear from potential new and former clients or their families, who might need BNC’s support.

If you would like to use one of the charity’s services, or to simply learn more, you can contact Basingstoke Neighbourcare by calling 01256 423855 and speaking to one of the co-ordinators, by visiting the charity’s website, or by e-mailing info@neighbourcare.com with any queries.BNC is supported by the Borough Council, local councillors, several larger trusts, institutional donors and smaller donations from local businesses and residents.

Message from the editor 

Thank you for reading this story. We really appreciate your support. 

Please help us to continue bringing you all the trusted news from Basingstoke by sharing this story or by following our Facebook page. 

Kimberley Barber

Editor