Everybody Needs Good Neighbours

12.04.31pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 13th Oct 2008

Councillors Laura Willoughby and John Gilbert

Islington's' Liberal Democrat councillors are planning a 'Good Neighbour' campaign this winter to encourage residents to keep an eye out for their neighbours and make sure they have enough food and heat.

Councillor Laura Willoughby, who is proposing the scheme, said:

"Bills and prices are rising rapidly at the moment. For some residents in Islington gas and electricity bills have gone up by 20%. And Boris is planning to put up transport fares in London.

"We're all feeling the pinch, but I'm really concerned that the increased cost of living will make life particularly hard for our older and more vulnerable residents. Some people this winter are going to be making the choice between heating and eating. It's at times like this that the community needs to pull together and keep an eye out for each other."

Good Neighbours campaigns ask people to volunteer to help out their neighbours, by giving them a lift to the doctor's, help with collecting pensions or filling in forms, minor household repairs like checking smoke alarms - or just befriending and visiting a neighbour who might be housebound or live alone.