The Great Baddow Community Care Group is a community group which helps people get around by offering free volunteer led transport to hospitals, clinics and surgeries.

This club also runs the Tuesday Luncheon Club at the United Reformed Church, which cooks meals for up to 35 local elderly residents.

As well as transport group volunteers help people with shopping, paying bills and managing finances.

The groups is always looking for new volunteers to help drive people to appointments in the area.

History

The group was formed in the early 1976 when Great Baddow vicar Revd Jack Kingham asked every local social group to send one representative to a meeting to discuss the setting up a new group to provide care and help for the elderly.

Revd Jack Kingham was concerned the that three day week was putting the well-being of elderly people at risk, especially those living alone. Since its formation the group has helped many people in Great Baddow.

The Group has received praise and awards over the years, with several members Doris Oddy, Pat Freeman and most recently, Barbara Locker, receiving the Parish Council’s Centenary Award.

It is part of the Chelmsford Association of Voluntary Care Groups.

Excerpt from the 1986 Doomsday Book:

Founded in 1976,GREAT BADDOW COMMUNITY CARE GROUP consists of representatives of 20 organisations in the village.It has 230 helpers and is supported by local Clergy, Doctors,Social workers, Health Visitors and District Nurses.

Its aim is to help people of the Parish,young or old, who are in need. A confidential list of volunteers, who are willing to help others in an emergency, covers every road in the Parish.

Help includes collecting a prescription or shopping for someone who is alone or housebound; preparing a light meal during illness; sitting in for a while to release a partner and visiting the lonely and housebound.

There is also transport to drive elderly/housebound to visit their spouses in hospital.A luncheon club is
run every Tuesday. Twice a year a buffet lunch is arranged for helpers.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-572000-204000/page/11

Contacts:

Mr. Clive Spratt, Chairman: 426 Baddow Road, Great Baddow, CM2 9RB. Tel. 01245 472223

Mr. Mike Nel, Transport Coordinator, 413 Baddow Road, Great Baddow, CM2 7QL. Tel. 01245 474166

Barbara Locker, Lunch Club: 01245 474419