Mile Cross Good Neighbour Scheme

HERE TO HELP- STAY SAFE

Mile Cross Good Neighbour Scheme

Connecting our community

Mile Cross GNS will stand as a vital community organisation rooted in Norwich, Norfolk. What began as a small local effort will grow into an essential lifeline for many across Mile Cross and the surrounding areas.
In the years ahead, our combined scheme will develop far beyond traditional expectations, offering an expanding range of support, activities, and watchful care. We connect neighbours to lift each other up, prevent loneliness and isolation, provide practical help when needed, and promote safety by encouraging everyone to look out for one another, share concerns, and help keep our streets secure and friendly.

Donate:

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What’s Happening

posters are coming soon.

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Help for the community, from the community

We are making the place we live and work strong and resilient by lifting each other up and keeping an eye out for each other. Most of our work is funded by grants and funding bids. Some is funded by gifts and donations from people within our local community.

Other ways to donate:

HOW CAN WE HELP

Community Crime Prevention Service

This service helps residents create safer, more connected neighbourhoods by promoting Neighbourhood Watch principles, drawing on national guidance from Neighbourhood Watch, the leading crime-prevention charity in England and Wales. In partnership with Norfolk Police, the Community Safety Department and Norfolk Neighbourhood Watch.

• Raise community awareness and vigilance to spot and report suspicious activity or crime promptly (via police 101/999 or Crimestoppers anonymously).
• Provide practical crime prevention advice and tools — including home security measures (e.g., secure windows/doors, lighting/timers, neighbour awareness via approaches like WIDE(N)), and guidance on issues such as burglary, vehicle crime, antisocial behaviour, scams, cybercrime, rural crime, harassment, and hate incidents.
• Share real-time local information through tools like postcode-based crime maps, newsletters, alerts, and resources to help residents understand and respond to local risks.
• Build stronger community connections to reduce isolation, loneliness, vulnerability, and fear of crime via events, shared support, mutual checking-in, and fostering trust among neighbours.
• Facilitate street patrols / Street Watch in interested areas where small groups of volunteers (often in pairs, wearing high-visibility clothing) conduct non-confrontational, observational walks at agreed times to deter low-level crime and antisocial behaviour through visible presence, while focusing solely on observing and reporting to police (never intervening directly; no police powers). These are coordinated safely with guidelines, often in liaison with local safer neighbourhood teams
• Collaborate with partners, including Norfolk Police, Victim Support, safeguarding services, and anti-scams initiatives to enhance reporting, support victims, and address broader safety concerns.

Food & Essential Supplies

• We can offer support if you’re experiencing food poverty or difficulty getting out to the shops.
• We can make food bank referrals.
• Our watchful network also means neighbours can step in with practical help during tough times, ensuring no one is left vulnerable.

Staying Social

Loneliness and social isolation are not only difficult to experience, but they also impact our health and long-term well-being.  Mile Cross GNS is committed to preventing loneliness, bringing the community together and providing opportunities for socialising. stronger connections create more eyes on the street, build trust, and help us spot and prevent issues early.

Everyone is invited to:

• Join one of our regular clubs or activities to help you meet new people. See below for details.
• Come along to one of the special events we organise or participate in, such as coffee mornings, quiz nights, festivals, fayres and community celebrations.
• Check our Facebook page for upcoming special events.

Sign-posting and Referrals

• If you need help with life-admin, benefits or other support and don’t know where to start, we may be able to signpost you to the right place.
• We can make food bank referrals for those in a financial crisis.
• We also guide residents on home security tips, local alerts, and how to report concerns to keep Mile Cross safer for all.

TO VOLUNTEER

Everything we do relies on our incredible team of volunteers. Whether you can spare a lot of time or just a little, we would love to hear from you.

Volunteer roles or tasks include: helping at weekly clubs and activities, local delivery drivers, walkers or cyclists, kitchen helpers, shelf-stackers, phone buddies, personal shoppers, Watchful Neighbour and many more.

There is no age limit. You do not have to commit to regular hours if you are unable to, and there is no minimum time requirement for volunteering.

Flexible roles make it easy for anyone to contribute to both neighbourly support and a safer Mile Cross. To register as a volunteer, please get in touch.