Councillor supports greater engagement to tackle isolation in village

Wickhambrook Parish Council regularly puts out news to villagers through its website, e-newsletters and social media.

But it had feedback that some of the older residents who were less familiar or confident using technology, were missing out on village activities because they hadn’t heard they were taking place.

Now the parish council has put up two village noticeboards, strategically placed at Clopton Green and Wickhambrook doctors’ surgery in Boyden Close. The large lockable noticeboards have been paid for with support from West Suffolk Cllr Sarah Pugh, who represents the village. She backed the project with £1,000 from West Suffolk Council locality budget.

Chair of Wickhambrook Parish Council, Cllr Mike Lavelle, said: “This is a very active village. There’s always lots going on and we want to make sure that residents know so that they can take part, enjoy and benefit from a host of events and activities, particularly where it supports their health and wellbeing.

“While the website and e-newsletter are both good for keeping a great many of our residents informed, we weren’t able to reach everyone and we were conscious some of our residents, particularly the older ones, may be feeling isolated and are missing out.

“The two locations for the noticeboards have been carefully chosen to bring the greatest benefit and reach to residents. We are very grateful to Cllr Pugh for her support.”

Cllr Pugh, said: “I am delighted to be able to support the parish with this. It’s important that we do everything that we can to communicate and engage with residents so that they don’t miss out and feel isolated. While technology has its place, these noticeboards will help more residents hear about the fantastic activities and events happening in their village and that can only serve to further strengthen Wickhambrook’s fantastic sense of community.”

New Noticeboard at Wickhambrook Surgery – left to right Andy Botcher, Practice Manager, Cllr Tracey Cann, Wickhambrook PC, Donna Goodall, Patient Services Manager and West Suffolk Cllr Sarah Pugh

New noticeboard at Clopton Green – left to right Cllr Kevin Grimes, Wickhambrook PC, West Suffolk Cllr Sarah Pugh and Cllr Andrea Grimes, Wickhambrook PC