Local associations are backing Meet Your Neighbour campaign

Meet Your Neighbour campaign leaflets were recently delivered to islanders allowing them to highlight tasks they are able to help someone with as part of a Channel Islands Co-operative Society campaign, backed by the Guernsey Press and Guernsey Post.

The leaflet is posted through the neighbour’s letterbox and if the recipient chooses to engage with the offer, a second form can be filled in and posted back.

Mandy Le Bachelet, manager of the Guernsey Voluntary Service, said the campaign was a brilliant idea.

‘Gone are the days when we all knew our neighbours and if this helps then what a fantastic initiative.

‘It’s not going to suit everyone, but for those who do not have any family to call upon or who are available, then this is a good way to receive help,’ she said.

Ms Le Bachelet said the opportunity to complete a leaflet and post it through the letterbox would prevent either parties feeling awkward or worried about offending their neighbour.

‘If the recipient does take exception to the offer of help then they can just ignore the leaflet.

‘Having the chance to then do something in return, like taking in a parcel, will hopefully make them feel needed as well, which is so important,’ she said.

Health Connections is working in association with the campaign and their mission is to ensure that all people in the Bailiwick are connected to support and information that enables them to live healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives.

CEO Bella Farrell said she immediately recognised the opportunity to work collaboratively when the Co-op invited Health Connections to partner on campaign.

‘The idea particularly resonated with Health Connections as [we] are exploring the feasibility of “timebanking” on Guernsey as a means of ensuring that more people have access to the support that matters to them,’ she said.

‘The impact of people swapping support, free of charge, is the very essence of building stronger, more connected communities.’

Ms Farrell said she was eager to see how people react to the campaign and anyone with a good news story about how the initiative has touched their lives is invited to email health@healthconnections.gg.

Guernsey Post head of corporate engagement Dawn Gallienne said all the Meet Your Neighbour leaflets had now been delivered and that the response had generally been positive.

‘We’re pleased to be a part of it, anything we can do where we are helping the community is good,’ she said.

The campaign hopes to overcome barriers of silence, isolation and the sense of loneliness that many islanders feel and offer assistance to neighbours who may be more vulnerable.