After its busiest year ever, Ledbury Ring & Ride, the volunteer car service that provides transport for the elderly and disabled, is appealing for more drivers to help meet the increase in demand for its services.
In 2022, the service experienced the busiest year in its 35-year history, completing over 3,650 journeys, an increase of 23% on the previous year. The increase in demand has continued this year with trip numbers up a further 15%. The scheme provides a vital service transporting the elderly, disabled and others who do not have a car, to hospital, doctor and other appointments. So far this year, the volunteer drivers have taken over 270 people to more than 1,500 medical appointments. All these journeys were undertaken by the volunteers using their own cars.
More people are registering with the service and there are an increasing number of hospital appointments coming through. Commenting on the increase, Tim Barnes General Manager of Community Action Ledbury, the charity that runs the service said: “Our existing team of fifty volunteer drivers are doing a fantastic job getting people to these appointments, but we are starting to reach the limit of what they can do. So, we are appealing for more volunteers to step forward.”
Richard Allsopp, a retired research scientist, who has been driving for Ring & Ride for two years, says: “It’s something I would recommend to anyone who has their own car and a few spare hours a week. It’s very rewarding and I have really enjoyed getting to know the people I drive regularly”. One of the people Richard helps is 80-year-old Jill Ingram from the Deer Park Estate. Jill started using Ring & Ride eighteen months ago when she had to give up driving following a stroke.
“It’s an excellent service.” says Jill “I have numerous medical and hospital appointments and I would really struggle to get to them without Ring & Ride.”
Volunteer drivers do not need any special insurance and Community Action Ledbury refunds all the mileage.
Anyone interested in becoming a driver should call in at Community Action Ledbury’s office at 4b Hill House, Bye Steet (next to the Methodists), or call Tim Barnes, General Manager on 01531 635339 or email tim@caledbury.org.uk
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