Local Support in Towns and Villages
This page provides information about organisations that offer practical assistance such as shopping and prescription collection within a wide range of towns and villages within the area served by Ipswich Hospital. The information you will find below is organised by postcode area. There are two types of scheme offering similar assistance: Good Neighbour Schemes (GNS) and other groups set up in response to the covid-19 pandemic in 2020:
Good Neighbour Schemes
Across the county, Community Action Suffolk has supported the development of Good Neighbour Schemes. These are local voluntary groups who support those in need of help in their community. There are schemes in several tens of communities of different sizes in the county. A map showing the location of all schemes is available at this link. Contact can be made with all these schemes via a telephone call (sometimes to an answerphone). The postcode-specific information below indicates Good Neighbour Schemes by labelling relevant groups “GNS” following the group name.
Groups established in response to Covid-19 pandemic
During the Covid-19 pandemic starting in 2020, many new local groups have been set up across the county offering similar support, some with links to or organised by local councils, others by groups of individuals. Methods to contact these groups varies from a single phone number, multiple phone numbers dependent on location, e-mail or facebook groups. Over time, a number of these groups have become inactive and so their details have been deleted from this page.
Local community groups, by postcode area
Parish Councils | IP1-IP4 Ipswich | IP5 Kesgrave | IP6 Needham Market | IP7 Hadleigh | IP8 Copdock | IP9 Shotley Peninsula | IP10 Kirton | IP11 Felixstowe | IP12 Woodbridge | IP13 Framlingham | IP14 Stowmarket | IP15 Aldeburgh | IP16 Leiston | IP17 Saxmundham | IP21 Stradbroke | IP23 Eye | CO7 East Bergholt | CO10 Boxford | CO11 Brantham
Last checked: May 2025
“GNS” after the group name indicates a Good Neighbour Schemes.
Can’t find your community? Look for your Parish Council
If it is not possible to find information listed below for your specific town or village, please use Suffolk Infolink which gives a directory of Parish Councils. This contains links to Parish Council websites (where these exist) and phone numbers. This information may help to lead you to other local initiatives.
IP1-IP4 Ipswich
For additional information, please also refer to this link: Support for communities in Ipswich | Ipswich Borough Council
IP1-IP4 Ipswich: Anti-Loo Roll brigade
Tel: 03337 721686, e-mail: none given
Group was set up to create a network of help for the elderly and/or struggling people in need of necessities in Ipswich.
IP2 Maidenhall, Ipswich: Maidenhall Together Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 07736 445752, e-mail: maidenhalltogethergns@gmail.com
Offers shopping and prescription collection.
IP3 Ipswich (south-east): IP3 Ipswich Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 03337 729343, e-mail: ip3ipswichgns@gmail.com
Group formed in the second quarter of 2020 to help residents. Offers shopping and prescription collection, odd jobs and a befriending service.
IP4 Ipswich: IP4 Community Support
Tel: none given, e-mail: none given, contact via facebook (link above)
Founded in response to the COVID19 virus, this group is a safe community space for Ipswich residents based in the IP4 postcode to ask for and offer help.
IP5 Kesgrave, Martlesham Heath
IP5 Kesgrave: Kesgrave Town Council
Tel: 01473 625179 (Town Council) or tel: 07757 809 709
Website has a link to a private facebook group.
IP6 Needham Market, Claydon, Coddenham and area
IP6 Needham Market: Needham Market Coronavirus Support Group
Tel: 07525 015262 (Tanya), e-mail: none given
IP6 Claydon: Claydon and Barnham Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 07925 667671, e-mail: barclaygns@gmail.com
Private Facebook Group: @Claydon and Barham Good Neighbour Scheme.
IP6 Coddenham: Coddenham Community Response Group (GNS)
Tel: 01449 760313, e-mail: support@coddenham-parish.uk
IP7 Hadleigh, Bildeston and area
IP7 Bildeston: Bildeston Coronavirus Support Group
Covers Bildeston and Wattisham
Tel: 0333 3355254, e-mail: Bildestoncsg@gmail.com
Website gives information about the Bildeston Food Bank
IP7 Elmsett: Elmsett Parish Council
Several contact names and phone numbers available at this link, e-mail: none given
IP8 Copdock, Hintlesham and area
No information about local support groups in this postcode area
IP9 Shotley peninsula, Capel St Mary and area
IP9 Chelmondiston: Chelmondiston Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 01473 780001/ 780005/ 780480/ 780588, e-mail: none given
Offers assistance with shopping, prescriptions, pet care, friendly chat and more.
IP9 Harkstead: Holbrook Helpers Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 0333 335 5387, e-mail: holbrookhelpers@yahoo.com
Offers assistance with shopping, prescriptions, pet care, befriending and more.
IP9 Stutton: Stutton Support Network (GNS)
Tel: 01473 327753, e-mail: none given
Offers assistance with shopping, prescriptions, friendly phone calls and more.
IP9 Tattingstone: Tattingstone Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 07895 052086, e-mail: none given
Offers help with shopping, prescriptions, post and friendly phone calls.
IP9 Capel St Mary: Capel St Mary Covid-19 Mutual Aid group
Tel: none given, e-mail: none given
This group was set up to coordinate help and support in the village for those who are elderly, disabled or immunocompromised
IP9: Shotley and Ewarton: Shotley & Ewarton Good Neighbours Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 07799 873881, e-mail: none given
Offers help with small domestic jobs, collection of prescriptions, befriending, and more
Also, Facebook group: Shotley Coronabuddies (signposts to Shotley & Ewarton Good Neighbours Scheme)
IP9 Bentley: Bentley Support Group
Tel: 07866 649108 (Annie Owen). e-mail: annyo@btinternet.com
Offered assistance with shopping, prescription delivery or a chat to help reduce feelings of isolation.
The website refers to the Suffolk County Council “Home But Not Alone” scheme which is no longer in operation.
IP9 Holbrook: Holbrook Helpers
Tel: Contact names and telephone numbers for several contacts are given at the link above, e-mail: none given
Offers assistance with essential shopping, collecting prescriptions, exercising a pet, or a chat.
IP10 Kirton, Nacton and Levington
No information about local support groups in this postcode area
IP12 Woodbridge, Melton, Orford, Hollesley peninsula
IP12 Melton: Good Neighbour Scheme - Melton (GNS)
Tel: 0333 3355366, e-mail: meltonGNS@gmail.com
The group will help with prescription collection, shopping and can offer a a simple friendly phone call to check in.
IP12 Rendlesham: Rendlesham Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 07486 551004, e-mail: none given
Offering shopping, dog walking and more (see website)
IP12 Orford: Orford, Gedgrave and Sudbourne Hall Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 01394 450235, e-mail: none given
Collection of prescriptions from the Peninsula Practice, shopping, dog walking and more (see website)
IP12 Hollesley : Hollesley, Boyton & Shingle Street Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 07707 850126, e-mail: none given
Pick up shopping, errands, befriending, dog walking and more (see website)
IP12: Ufford: Helping Ufford Group (HUG)
Tel: 07595 970139, e-mail: HelpingUffordGroup@gmail.com
IP13 Framlingham, Laxfield and area
IP13 Framlingham: Hour Community (GNS)
Tel: 01728 440511, e-mail: none given.
Offers help with shopping, prescription collection and more (see website at link above).
Hour Community has been in operation since 2011 and offers services such as befriending, transport, help with shopping, dog walking, small DIY jobs. Hour Community also runs the Worry Tree Cafe which offers support and friendship to those experiencing mental health challenges.
Tel: 01728 440533 (Hour Community - Worry Tree)
IP13 Laxfield: Laxfield Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 07895 599561, e-mail: none given
IP13 Wickham Market: Wickham Market Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 07914 494108, e-mail: none given
Offers help with shopping, meal preparation, practical jobs. Volunteers will arrange a home visit to assess needs.
IP14 Stowmarket, Debenham and area
IP14 Stowmarket: Stowmarket Self Isolation Helpers
Tel: none given, e-mail: none given
Contact via private facebook group (link above).
IP14 Elmswell: Elmswell Community Group
Tel: none given, e-mail: none given
Contact only via private facebook group (link above).
IP14 Bacton, Cotton & Wyverstone: Bacton, Cotton & Wyverstone Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 07980 948641, e-mail: none given
Offers assistance to those in need.
IP14 Dagworth, Old Newton & Gipping: Dagworth, Old Newton & Gipping Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 01449 615292, e-mail: none given
Offers assistance with shopping/ prescriptions, friendly chat and more. Information from Suffolk Infolink
IP14 Stowupland: Stowupland Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 07591 539621, e-mail: none given
Offers assistance to those in need.
IP15 Aldeburgh
IP15 Aldeburgh: Aldeburgh Good Neighbour Scheme (AGNES) (GNS)
Tel: 07773 031064, e-mail: suedavey1956@outlook.com
Shopping, transport, assistance for elderly and those isolating
IP16 Leiston and area
IP16 Leiston: Leiston Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 07724 777465, e-mail: leistongoodneighbour@gmail.com
Covers Leiston, Sizewall and Knodishall
Volunteers may visit for a chat, help fill in a form, collect prescriptions & shopping.
IP16 Aldringham: Aldringham-cum-Thorpe Good Neighbours Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 07521 047843, e-mail: none given
Covers Aldringham and Thorpeness
Volunteers may visit for a chat, help fill in a form, collect prescriptions & shopping, exercise a pet (see website for more details)
IP17 Saxmundham, Yoxford and area
IP17: Saxmundham: IP17 Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Covers Saxmundham, Kelsale-cum Carlton, Benhall and Sternfield
Tel: 0333 335 5266, e-mail: help@ip17gns.com
Offers collection and delivery of shopping/ prescriptions and friendly phone buddy scheme.
IP17 Snape: Snape Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 07541 754426, e-mail: none given
Offers befriending, support with shopping, minor technology support, dog-walking and more.
IP17 Yoxford: COVID19 Support Yoxford
Contact via private Facebook group (link above).
Tel: none given, e-mail: none given
IP17: Knodishall: Leiston Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Knodishall is covered by the Leiston Good Neighbour Scheme
Tel: 07724 777465, e-mail: leistongoodneighbour@gmail.com
IP21 Stradbroke and area
IP21 Stradbroke & Wilby Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 07749 445531
No other information available
IP23 Eye and area
IP23 Eye: Community help for Eye and surrounding villages
All contact via private Facebook group. Tel: none given, e-mail: none given.
Offers to provide food and collect prescriptions.
CO7 East Bergholt and area
CO7 East Bergholt: East Bergholt COVID-19 Community Support
Tel: 01206 298366, 01206 299844 or 01206 299776
CO10 Lavenham, Boxford and area
CO10 Lavenham: Lavenham Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 07922 850082, e-mail: lavenhamcbs@gmail.com
Provides help with shopping, befriending, small household tasks and more.
CO10 Boxford: Boxford Parish Council
Tel: 07395 914959, e-mail none given
Covers Boxford, Edwardstone & Groton
“We are encouraging everyone to check on neighbours, family and friends, that if they are self-isolating or worried about going out, they have enough supplies, medication etc. If you are unable to help them, please contact us and we will find someone to help. “
CO11 Brantham
CO11 Brantham: Brantham Good Neighbour Scheme (GNS)
Tel: 07541 359036, e-mail: none given
Private facebook group. Offers help with collecting prescriptions, shopping, befriending, dog walking, minor household tasks and more.