The Bishops Waltham Care Group is a self-funding group of volunteers which operates with help and guidance from the Good Neighbours Network. The network provides help with DBS checks for volunteers, parking permits, public liability insurance, and training in manual handling and safeguarding. The Good Neighbours Network is governed by a Stakeholder Liaison Group and administered by the Council for Social Responsibility in Portsmouth on behalf of the Diocese of Portsmouth, Winchester and Guildford that cover the county of Hampshire.
As well as providing transport to medical appointments the Bishops Waltham Care Group volunteers also run lunch clubs.
History
The Bishops Waltham Care Group started in 1973 to provide emergency help to local residents. At the time this included providing lunches, shopping, delivering prescriptions and medical transport. Over the years the provision evolved and some activities became the responsibilities of separate independent community organisations e.g. The Gateway Club and the Bishops Waltham Minibus.
Today the responsibilities of the Group are to provide medical transport, and run the twice weekly lunch clubs.