A new voluntary group that aims to help people with simple household tasks while building community bonds is coming to Bradwell - and members are now being sought to join its friendly ranks.

The Good Neighbour Scheme helps people from all walks of life - including vulnerable, disabled and elderly residents - with everyday errands such as shopping, gardening and dog walking - or even just changing a light bulb.

Clients in need of a helping hand call in for support and a volunteer best matched to the task is then sent out to assist them.

The group is being established in Bradwell by county-wide charity Community Action Norfolk, which has already rolled out successful good neighbour schemes in 15 communities.

A meeting is being held later this month to set up the Bradwell team and anyone interested in joining is encouraged to come along to find out more.

Henry Meiklejohn, development officer at the charity, said: 'It's helping with the sort of thing that people probably don't get assistance from social services with, and may not have family or friends or neighbours who they could call on.

'It's simple things like taking curtains down for washing - or putting them up again - mowing the lawn, walking the dog. They're very little things but they actually make a big difference to the kind of people that need that kind of help.

'In essence it's about local people helping other local people - hence good neighbours.'

Those who come on board as volunteers take ownership of the group and are put in charge of coordinating their work and deciding on the groups of people they want to help - whether it be all and any residents or concentrating on those that are vulnerable, elderly or disabled.

Through its work the group also aims to bring the community together by strengthening ties among neighbours and residents.

Mr Meiklejohn added: 'Building a sense of community is very much one of the functions of these schemes. In modern life people move around and support networks can be lost.

'The group is about developing neighbourliness.'

Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to join and do not need any kind of qualifications to help out, but will need to complete a DBS check.

A drop in event is being held for those interested in joining the group at the Sun Inn on Beccles Road on Tuesday, July 14 from 11.30am. For more details call Charlotte on 01362 698216 or e-mail charlotte.stannard@communityactionnorfolk.org.uk