Carers clock up the miles

A transport scheme is proving invaluable for older and less able members of a community.

Collingham Village Care Volunteer Transport Scheme takes residents of Collingham and the surrounding areas to social and hospital appointments across Nottinghamshire.

The service, which runs from Monday to Friday, has 17 volunteer drivers who are retired people in the Collingham area.

The drivers use their own cars, and in 2007 they made 3,589 trips for 233 people.

Mrs Brenda Williams, of High Street, Collingham, is the co-ordinator.

She said: “The service is primarily for elderly and less able people who have difficulty in finding alternative transport for their appointments.

“We take people to hospital appointments all over the area — from King’s Mill Hospital near Mansfield to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.

“We also take regular bookings for social appointments, taking people to the hairdressers and we even take one gentleman to the supermarket regularly as well.”

The service is part of Collingham and District Village Care, a group set up 26 years ago to improve the quality of life for those associated with Collingham Medical Centre.

The transport service arose soon after when the staff at the centre noticed that patients were having problems attending hospital appointments.

Although it is partly paid for with a grant from Nottinghamshire County Council and low-fixed rate charges, the service survives on donations.

Mrs Williams said that without the donations and the drivers the service would not be possible.

She said: “We are really thankful to those who help to keep us going through their donations and especially the drivers.

“We are totally reliant on our team of drivers and nothing is just a straightforward job for them.

“The drivers never know where they will be sent or how long they are going to be, but they are always there to offer a helping hand, support and comfort to their passengers.”

One resident particularly glad of the scheme is Mr Tommy Roe (91) of Girton.

He has been using the service for ten years.

It has become much more important to him since his wife of 66 years, Mrs Ethel Roe (88) moved to a Eagle Nursing Home in January.

Mr Roe, a retired farmer, said: “My wife has been there since January and without my visits she would be so lonely.

“I couldn’t have managed without the service because I can’t drive and I have no other means of getting there.

“It is such a good thing and the all the drivers are really helpful.”

Mr Dennis Poucher (73) of Hemplands, Collingham, has been driving for the service for ten years and he takes Mr Roe to see his wife twice a week.

He said “I really enjoy the job and you get to meet great characters like Tommy.

“I found out about the job through a friend and I was keen to put something back into the community.

“I would recommend it to anybody because everybody really appreciates what we do.”

Anyone wishing to use Collingham Village Care can make a booking with Mrs Williams on Monday, Wednesday and Friday on 016363 893001.