Kingsbridge Care Hub will be operating as a ‘Warm Haven’ for local over 55’s over the winter.

They need to increase their pool of volunteer drivers to assist by collecting clients, bringing them in at agreed days/times, and then returning them safely home again.

There are an increasing number of potential clients who would greatly benefit from what they can offer, in terms of their mental or physical wellbeing, but who cannot access them due to lack of transport opportunities. Perhaps there is no bus service at the times required or maybe they no longer feel confident making their own way on public transport? Whatever the problem, their volunteer drivers are the vital links to helping Care Hub users to remain independent, fit and active; enjoy social interaction or a delicious freshly cooked lunch, in the warm.

Those already helping to offer this service all say how rewarding they find it.

Some of the comments have been: “I do look forward to meeting my different passengers and having chats with them, finding out about the fascinating lives some of them have lived”, “as a newcomer to the town, I have really enjoyed learning about the history of the area from some of the ‘old locals’ who come to the Care Hub”; “I am delighted to give a couple of hours of my time a week because I see how much pleasure and benefit it gives my clients”.

If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a volunteer driver, you contact them on 01548 856650 for an initial chat. They are able to pay mileage expenses at the approved HMRC rate of 45p per mile (tax free) and if you notify your motor insurers that you are using your car for voluntary purposes, a note will be made on the policy to that effect (just to be on the safe side) but it should have no impact on your premium.

Ideally, they are working towards having their own transport – The Care Hub Minibus – which can be used for transport, not only for their own clients but by other organisations and groups at which point we would be looking for volunteer drivers for that vehicle, too. However, they need to raise the funds for such a major outlay.

The Care Hub team are following up on every possible funding opportunity to make that aim a reality but it would be helpful to be able to demonstrate that it is a much-needed needed community resource which would provide considerable benefit to many.

If you would be happy to put pen to paper or tap those keys and let them have a letter of support, they could submit all the ‘evidence’ with their funding applications and by showing how much benefit a local community transport vehicle could deliver, they may just be successful.

You can pop your letters in to us at The Care Hub, post them to Kingsbridge Age Concern, The Kingsbridge Care Hub, Ilbert Road, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1DZ; or email them to [email protected]