Are you in need of neighbourly HELP?
For example, do you need help with:
- Transport to hospital, or library, or to go shopping?
- Collection of a prescription?
- Transport to a club or social event?
- Some company for a chat?
- Any other neighbourly activity?
To get help
To Get Help – Dial 07897 994 378
Be ready to give details of:
- Your NAME, ADDRESS, and PHONE NUMBER, and
- A BRIEF description of what help you need, and
- The DAY, DATE, TIME, and WHERE the help is needed.
Please speak SLOWLY and CLEARLY when making your request.
Important: Please try to give at least 48 hours notice of your need – particularly at weekends, but please do not request more than 2 weeks ahead. We are a voluntary organisation, and have to rely on the free time of supporters to give you help.
All requests for help are strictly confidential
Expenses and Donations
Most of you will know that we are a voluntary organisation and receive no financial support from any other source. All our expenses must be met from voluntary donations from clients. Most of our expenses fall under two headings: Mileage Allowances and Overheads.
Mileage Allowances
These allowances, paid to our volunteer drivers, are our main expense as most requests we receive are for transport for one purpose or another. The current mileage rate is 45p which covers the cost of petrol/diesel and an element for keeping the car on the road (tax, insurance, servicing etc). We have standard distances for the return mileage to our most common destinations – to make it easier for those drivers who forget to set their milometer.
Overheads
These include the expenses of co-ordinators, telephone rental costs, stationery and hire of halls and other costs for AGMs.
Donations
Clients are asked to place their donation in the envelope provided by the volunteer and seal it for forwarding to the Treasurer. Donations are voluntary but we can only continue to operate if, overall, donations cover our expenses. To assist clients in determining the appropriate donation, volunteers carry a card (see ‘Cost of Journeys’ below) showing the combined mileage and overhead expenses for the most common destinations based on the measured mileage and 50p for overheads.
Special Cases
If the times requested between outward and return journeys are very long and the journey cannot be combined with other activities by the volunteers, it may be necessary to arrange, and seek donations to cover, separate outward and return journeys.
Cost of Journeys
The minimum cost of your journey today is £1. The contribution is based on 45p per mile, plus 50p to cover overheads e.g. telephone calls.
The table below shows the amount based on return mileages from Rowlands Castle Green to the following destination car parks:
| Destination | Return mileage | Miles Cost | Total contribution |
| Within village | 1+ | 0.50 | £1.00 |
| Finchdean | 3 | £1.35 | £1.85 |
| Spire Hospital | 5 | £2.25 | £2.75 |
| Havant Health Centre | 6 | £2.70 | £3.20 |
| Oak Park Community Centre | 6 | £2.70 | £3.20 |
| Westbourne | 6 | £2.70 | £3.20 |
| Havant Shopping | 7 | £3.15 | £3.65 |
| Morrison’s Horndean | 7 | £3.15 | £3.65 |
| Tesco Havant | 7 | £3.15 | £3.65 |
| Waitrose Havant | 7 | £3.15 | £3.65 |
| Emsworth | 8 | £3.60 | £4.10 |
| Cowplain | 8 | £3.60 | £4.10 |
| Waitrose, Waterlooville | 12 | £5.40 | £5.90 |
| Sainsburys, Farlington | 12 | £5.40 | £5.90 |
| Widley | 12 | £5.40 | £5.90 |
| QA Hospital | 14 | £6.30 | £6.80 |
| Clanfield | 14 | £6.30 | £6.80 |
| St Richard’s Hospital | 20 | £9.00 | £9.50 |
| St Mary’s Hospital | 20 | £9.00 | £9.50 |
| Petersfield Square | 21 | £9.45 | £9.95 |
| Petersfield Hospital | 22 | £9.90 | £10.40 |
| Gosport War Memorial Hospital | 30 | £13.50 | £14.00 |
| Haslar Hospital | 40 | £18.00 | £18.50 |
Volunteers
We currently have about 40 volunteers. New volunteers are always welcome: please contact any member of the committee, see Who’s Who below.
It goes without saying that all volunteer drivers must have a valid driving licence, and their cars must be taxed, insured and with current MOT if applicable.
Because volunteers may be dealing on a one to one basis with vulnerable people, all must complete the appropriate disclosure for checking by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at the Enhanced Level.
Who’s Who
The membership of Rowlands Good Neighbours consists of the Committee, Co-ordinators and volunteer helpers. The Committee is elected (re-elected) each year at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and currently is:
| Position | Elected Officer/Member | Contact |
| Chairman | Ian Hewitt | 02392 412 941 |
| Treasurer | Gail Beresford 2 Holt Gardens Rowlands Castle PO9 6BH | 02392 413 845 |
| Secretary | Linda Brackley | 07919 105265 gneighbours97@gmail.com |
| Coordinator Contact | Ian Hewitt | 02392 412 941 |
| Committee Members | Ian White David Rushbridger |