With public transport in and around Cirencester greatly reduced in recent years, getting around has become increasingly difficult for many local residents. Local charity Cotswold Friends runs a very busy Community Transport service in the North Cotswolds and has recently expanded the service to include the Cirencester area.
Amy Hughes, Cirencester Transport Project Worker, said “Cotswold Friends has a very simple but very important mission – to combat loneliness and isolation. If you can no longer drive or if public transport is difficult for you to use, we can help. Now more than ever we need to ensure that people can reconnect with their communities. Our friendly volunteer drivers can take you anywhere you need to go – to medical appointments, shopping or to enjoy time with friends and family.”
Such is the popularity of the Cirencester service that Cotswold Friends now needs to recruit additional drivers to join their friendly team. A driving role provides complete volunteering flexibility. Drivers let the Bookings Office know when they can drive and what types of journey they are happy to do. If this role could be for you, please email: volunteering@cotswoldfriends.org or call George on Tel: 01608 697007.
Lynn Hilditch has recently become a volunteer driver for Cotswold Friends and told us, “This is an opportunity to help and assist people within the Cotswold Community. Volunteering to transport those who are unable to drive, particularly to hospital and medical appointments but also to other venues, gives me a great sense of worth and pride.”
Mrs. Price has recently used the new service and told us, ““I don’t drive anymore, and I don’t have any family or friends who live nearby to help me. It has been extremely useful to get me to my regular hospital appointments in Cheltenham. My driver was so friendly.”
Mr Welsh described it as “a wonderful service, the staff are all so friendly and helpful. Greatly appreciated.”
Each journey costs 50p per mile and 2 hours of driver waiting time is included. All drivers follow COVID-secure procedures. Members pay a small subscription of just £12 per annum to use the service. So if you or someone you know needs help to get out and about, please do call Cotswold Friends Transport Bookings Desk on Tel: 01608 697010 or email: transportcirencester@cotswoldfriends.org.
Cotswold Friends, Moreton Area Centre, High Street, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 0AZ
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