New community transport scheme in North Ayrshire for the elderly\n\n

Nov 9 2012 by Ross Dunn, Irvine Herald

North Ayrshire’s community transport service for the elderly was given a cash boost last week.

A grant of almost £40,000 has been awarded to launch and fund a Women’s Voluntary Service transport service to provide vital support isolated older people.

The organisation received the grant by the People’s Health Trust from money raised by Health Engage through the Health Lottery.

The new transport service will support 350 older people across the country to get out and about, to GP or hospital appointments or simply meet up with friends.

With the funding, the transport service, run by WRVS volunteers, will be able to do 4,200 individual journeys over the course of the year.

Head of WRVS Scotland, Margaret Patterson, commented:

“This transport service will provide a lifeline for many of the isolated residents in North Ayrshire and enable them to get out and about to run errands, continue shopping as they always have done, to attend important health appointments and most importantly, to retain their independence.”

WRVS is calling for more volunteers for the transport scheme in North Ayrshire. For more information go to www.wrvs.org.uk or call 0845 600 5885.