Care Network’s mission is to help older, isolated and vulnerable people living in Cambridgeshire to stay independent and maintain social contact with friends and the community. 

We work mainly with volunteers, helping people to set up local ‘good neighbor schemes’, and also running some cross-county good neighbor schemes ourselves.

• Over 150 people are volunteer visitors with Care Network, taking practical help, support and companionship directly to people’s homes 
• We network with over 80 local good neighbour schemes that both reduce isolation and improve independence and quality of life 
• We train and advise volunteers and schemes to help them carry out their ‘good neighbour’ volunteering
• We participate in partnership bodies, and respond to consultations from statutory agencies, where these are relevant to the needs and aspirations of older and isolated residents.

Our vision is a Cambridgeshire where all older and vulnerable people at risk of isolation, loneliness or depression feel supported in their local community.  We also want to enable people to support others, for their mutual benefit and to achieve greater independence for a healthier, happier life.

So what is a good neighbour scheme?

Any community group that offers good neighbourly help to other local residents – whether by getting together socially or helping with some practical tasks.  Common examples include community car schemes, lunch clubs, social groups and mobile warden schemes. Read more about local community schemes on the ‘good neighbour schemes’ page.

And what  schemes does Care Network run directly?

• Our Welcome Home from Hospital service offers companionship and help in the first two to three weeks that a patient returns home after medical treatment
• Our Help at Home service offers isolated, older and vulnerable adults help with small, usually one-off chores.  Currently available in parts of the county only, and being extended right now.

To find out more about our volunteer visiting schemes, click on our Direct Services page.

We estimate that, taking into account our volunteers, our direct clients and those indirect beneficiaries who attended or received services from the Good Neighbour Schemes that we supported, our work in 2008 improved quality of life for roughly 5,400 Cambridgeshire residents—that’s 6% of the 65+ population.