East Suffolk Council
Funding boost for neighbour scheme Christmas meal
A group of neighbourly East Suffolk volunteers will be hosting Christmas lunch for the community – with support from their local ward councillor.
East Suffolk Council member for Deben ward, Cllr James Mallinder donated £800 from his Enabling Communities Budget to help the Hollesley, Boyton and Shingle Street Good Neighbour Scheme provide a Christmas meal to local residents in need of extra support and company this year.
The group’s first such gathering was held in January 2020 as a way of helping to address social isolation and loneliness.
This year’s event is also set to include a raffle and will again be held at the at Hollesley’s Shepherd and Dog Inn for 25 local residents.
Cllr Mallinder said:
“Everyone will be aware that times are tough for a lot of people at the moment – and we all know that Christmas can be a notoriously difficult period when it comes to balancing finances or being alone – especially for those living on their own in rural areas.
“I applaud the work of the Hollesley, Boyton and Shingle Street Good Neighbour Scheme to help bring the community together – and I’m delighted to have made this donation for their Christmas meal.
“It’s a fine example of charity beginning at home and making a difference to the lives of people in the local community, which can only have a positive knock-on effect on all of us.”
There are currently 16 Good Neighbour Schemes across the East Suffolk district. The Suffolk Good Neighbour Network, coordinated by Community Action Suffolk, is open to voluntary, community, or social enterprise organisations committed to creating a safe and sustainable support group for local people in need.