Back in 1975 after recovering from the flu, local resident Douglas Brown had time to reflect on just how lost he would have been without the support of his neighbours.

Motivated through his gratitude, Douglas set up a small support group alongside a few of his neighbours called Help a Neighbour Harrowdene.

Within a year, the group had stretched to several streets around Teddington and in 2008, Douglas received an MBE for his services to the community.

Today, the community organisation covers the whole of Teddington and Hampton Wick and is known as The Teddington & Hampton Wick Voluntary Care Group.

Made up of around 40 volunteers who live locally, the registered charity supports over 220 elderly, housebound and disabled residents in the Teddington and Hampton Wick area.

The community organisation's weekly shopping trips are just one of the various services it offers residents assistance with

Among the tasks that the team of volunteers offer a helping hand with, are - lifts to local hospitals, GP surgeries, dentists, clinics and chiropodists, transport to local shops and post offices, the hairdresser and to social clubs and leisure classes, lifts to local friends and family and collecting prescriptions from pharmacists.

The Teddington & Hampton Wick Voluntary Care Group also organise outings to local places of interest such as cafes, parks and riverside pubs and schedule coffee mornings and weekly shopping trips to local supermarkets.

Teddington resident Eleanor, 92, told Nub News: "I've used the shopping bus for years and it's fantastic. The volunteers can't do enough and i've made friends with the rest of the lovely shoppers."

Joan, 89, who has also benefitted from the shopping service added: "I don't know what I'd do without it, it means I can do all my shopping and not worry about carrying the bags or how to get home."

Local MP Munira Wilson at The Teddington & Hampton Wick Voluntary Care Group's 2022 Christmas Party

Based at the Teddington Methodist Church on Stanley Road, the Teddington charity is always on the lookout for neighbours to join its volunteering team and is encouraging those interested to get in touch.

For more information on The Teddington & Hampton Wick Voluntary Care Group, including its work, how to donate or to join the team, visit the charity's website here, call on 020 8943 3112 or email [email protected].