'Help - in - Elstead'   is a group of volunteers dedicated to making life easier for residents of Elstead in need of help not easily available from other sources. Since its foundation volunteers have carried out nearly 4,000 jobs in the village. Tasks include driving people to dental/hospital appointments, shopping, collecting pensions, small DIY jobs, all of which are regularly performed on behalf of local residents, young or old, sick or temporarily in need of us, whom we can help.

At the A.G.M. the Chairman was very pleased to announce the support of Elstead Parish Council in the form of a Grant to help cover running costs i.e. Insurance premiums and telephone line rental for the answer phone. 'Help-in-Elstead is very grateful for this support towards a service so valuable to so many villagers. Approximately 70- 80 people are currently on our 'client' cards.

The R.S.C.H. is now allowing HIE drivers to park free of charge when on duty which will help to make life easier! Unfortunately, mileage charges have had to be raised [for the first time in 3 years] to remunerate our drivers for their car-running expenses in line with the rise in petrol costs ; the charge is now 40 p. per mile.

The new Committee was also elected and everyone who attended enjoyed an excellent light lunch provided by the outgoing Committee.

We do need additional volunteers to help us continue this valuable service; volunteers willing to answer the telephone [10 - noon] on a rota basis, or to drive. Both can be easily fitted into volunteers' daily lives on a very flexible basis to suit. All expenses are reimbursed. Anyone interested in helping should contact:
Mrs. B Ainsley [chairman: 01252 705104]
or
Mrs. J.Whitehouse [secretary 01252 702517] for details.