A LOCAL voluntary service is saying, "Everybody needs good neighbours" - and is asking caring locals to befriend vulnerable people such as the elderly, the visually impaired, disabled and chronically ill.

The Caring Neighbourhood Scheme involves telephone befriending and home visiting and aims to help those who would otherwise not receive much social contact to feel less isolated.

Volunteers receive training, support and expenses as well as learning new skills and making new friends and there are many other volunteering opportunities if the Caring Neighbourhood Scheme isn't quite what you're looking for, including counselling, administration, computing, fundraising, teaching, driving, conservation, retail work and many others.

Lancaster District Council for Voluntary Service are currently running exhibitions about volunteering opportunities at Morecambe Library and Lancaster Market.

For further details about the Caring Neighbourhood Scheme contact Rose at CVS on 01524 63760 and for information about other volunteering opportunities contact Juliet on the same number.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.