A SCHEME encouraging 1,000 people to voluntarily help their elderly neighbours has been launched in Darlington.

The Good Friends project is open to people from all walks of life and focuses on the little ways of making life easier for older and vulnerable people in their area.

The scheme, which is being launched only in Darlington, could be rolled out more widely if it is a success.

A spokesman for Good Friends said: “If you want to volunteer, but do not have a lot of free time, or you want to get involved in another project alongside your usual volunteering, Good Friends is for you.

“The project works by partnering you with someone in your area who needs a little extra help once in a while.”

This could include:

  • Helping your neighbour with their wheelie bin;
  • Tidying up their garden when needed;
  • Assisting with using their computer to shop online;
  • Checking up on them now and again.

Good Friends is a Darlington Partnership initiative, which is being delivered by Age UK Darlington in partnership with Neighbourhood Watch.

The various partners involved in the project signed an agreement at a launch event in Darlington town centre on Tuesday (October 1) morning.

Anyone interested in signing up can call 01325-362832 or visit goodfriends.org.uk for more information.

Alternatively, follow @JoinGoodFriends or look for Good Friends Darlington on Facebook.