Village Warden Scheme

Are you living independently but would feel more secure knowing there is someone you can turn to at short notice?
Would you benefit from daily contact with a Warden?
Perhaps, you need reassurance that someone is always on hand?
Do you need help with a trip to the doctors or collecting a prescription?
Maybe an occasional lift to the shops or elsewhere locally?

If so, the Village Warden Scheme could be just what you need!

The Melbourn & District Warden Scheme (MDWS) provides friendship and support for elderly and/or mobility-impaired individuals in our community. It offers regular visits and phone calls to help people stay independent at home while remaining connected to others. The service can assist with tasks such as local light shopping, ordering and collecting prescriptions, visiting the Post Office, and putting you in touch with other helpful services and activities as needed. The scheme also organizes occasional outings and treats to brighten up your day.

The Warden service is available for a modest monthly charge and supports individuals in the villages of Harston, Hauxton, Grantchester, Haslingfield, Barrington, Shepreth, Whaddon, Meldreth, and Melbourn.

The Melbourn & District Warden Scheme is supported by Parish Councils and South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC).

For more information or to inquire about the service, please contact:
Jeannie Seers at 07808 735066 or Deb Stewart at 07842 248758
Email: jeanseers13@gmail.com

Registered Charity No: 1059815

Lunch Club

The Lunch Club meets every Monday at Harston Village Hall, except on Bank Holidays and during August. The club is open to anyone over the age of 65 from Harston, Newton, or Hauxton. For just £2.00, participants enjoy a home-cooked meal and the opportunity to socialize in a friendly and welcoming environment.
If you’d like to join the Lunch Club or can help with preparing vegetables, cooking, serving, or washing up, please contact June Boakes at 01223 870777 or email june@boakes.plus.com.

Social Car Scheme

The Social Car Scheme provides volunteer-driven transport for residents to medical and medically-related appointments within a five-mile radius of Harston. The scheme, introduced in 1991 by Mrs. Peggy Heap, covers trips to locations such as:

  • Harston Surgery and Great Shelford Health Centre

  • Opticians and Dentists in Great Shelford

  • Various clinics at Addenbrookes Hospital

This scheme is not intended to replace a taxi service but provides essential transportation for medical needs. Passengers make a small contribution to help cover costs, and a subsidy is provided by Cambridgeshire County Council. Please note that the volunteers donate their time, and the contributions received do not cover the full cost of motoring.

If you need transport for a medical journey, please contact Mrs. A. Holden (Co-ordinator) at 01223 870647 between 9:00 am and 11:00 am Monday to Friday. To ensure we can arrange transport, please call at least 24 hours before your appointment, and preferably 48 hours in advance. If no one is available to take your call, please leave a message, and the coordinator will confirm eligibility, arrange a driver, and advise on the cost.

We are always looking for more volunteer drivers to help keep the scheme running smoothly. If you are interested in giving your time to this valuable service, please contact Angela Holden at 01223 870647.