‘I could have done with good neighbour when I broke leg’

The campaign was launched yesterday and the A5 leaflets to post through neighbours’ letterboxes have been delivered to homes by Guernsey Post as well as being available at Co-op stores.

It was initiated by the Channel Island Co-operative Society and backed by the Guernsey Press and Guernsey Post.

Brenda Le Huray, who volunteers for the Guernsey Disability Alliance, said it would help people, saying those who are unable to leave the house much may appreciate the thought.

‘Even just for some company. They could just watch Emmerdale together,’ she said.

Ms Le Huray said she could have done with a helpful neighbour when she broke her leg.

‘Nobody asked to help. It would have helped for up and down the flat stairs and it’s quite a walk to the shops. I would have appreciated it, or just to say I’m going to the shops is there anything you want? I had to rely on my adult children a lot,’ she said.

Co-op shopper Karen Langlois said in her clos of nine houses everybody was out so much they did not really see one another.

‘I think if you have elderly neighbours it will be good,’ she said.

John van Swelm also felt that the use of the initiative would depend on the situation. He did not have much contact with his neighbours.

Sam Bull, baking assistant at the Co-op Grand Marche supermarket at the Bridge, also thought it was a good idea and that it might help people get to know their neighbours.

‘Where I live we have a few elderly neighbours and we all help them out as a community,’ she said.

The Bridge Salvation Army centre manager Sue Le Poidevin said the scheme could benefit people, however that would depend on the people in each case.

‘Some people like their privacy, but others will want to share help with neighbours, it depends whether the person wants help.’

She said it was about having that feeling of trust and comfort that you get from a community atmosphere, such as that which they provide at the centre.