Funding received from The National Lottery Community Fund is enabling Newark and Sherwood Community Voluntary Service (CVS) to develop and expand its Door2Door Transport scheme and continue delivering the much-needed service to local people and communities.

Door2Door provides transport for vulnerable, isolated and older people, those with long-term conditions, and those in rural communities unable to access more conventional transport services.

Volunteer drivers use their own vehicles to transport people to visit friends, go shopping, take day trips and other leisure activities as well attend essential health-related appointments, such as GP, dentists and opticians.

They help people to live more independent lives and stay active and connected with their communities, their families and friends, which reduces social isolation and loneliness.

The funding will allow the recruitment of an additional member of the team, who will develop a fundraising and income generation strategy to ensure the future sustainability of the Door2Door scheme, making it less dependent on public sector funds.

It will also allow for extensive volunteer recruitment and training — due to the pandemic many elderly volunteers have decided to leave the service.

Helen Stanbridge, operations director of Newark and Sherwood Community Voluntary Service, explained: “Our goal is to ensure a robust, sustainable service; ensuring it is fit for the future, supporting our clients to reconnect with their families, friends and social activities and to reduce loneliness and social isolation.”

For more information about the Door2Door service go to https://www.nandscvs.org/ourwork/door-to-door-service

Comments