info@loughtonvoluntarycare.org.uk || 020 8508 6114
Loughton Voluntary Care
Going the extra mile in Loughton for over 50 years
Loughton Voluntary Care History
Loughton Community Care was launched as a response to the building of the Debden and other estates in the late 1940s and 50s when the population of Loughton doubled over 10 years. There was pressure from the churches to provide transport to hospitals, home visits to older people and care in the home. The scheme was manned by volunteers and supported financially by the district council.
In 1982, following meetings with church leaders, GPs, district council officers and social workers, Community Care was restructured as Loughton Voluntary Care with Margaret Lawrance as Co-ordinator, a commitment she continued for 30 years.
As you can see in the image (left), she was awarded Citizen of The Year in 2012.
Margaret Lawrance
Citizen of The Year 2012
LVC is evolving with the needs of the community.Recently LVC applied Human Centred Design techniques to identify ways that the organisation could address loneliness and social inclusion amongst the older population in Loughton, As a result, a number of projects have been developed.
As well as our traditional medical transport, there is our escorted shopping service where a group of clients, including wheelchair users, can choose their own shopping and enjoy a chat over tea and a toasted teacake. We also have a ‘Good Neighbour’ scheme, which provides social support to lonely or housebound citizens. Through partnerships with churches and local businesses we have developed fun, social activities such as the monthly Horizon fish and chip lunch and the new Silver Surfer Club which orients older citizens to the opportunities online through the use of iPads
