A LIFELINE service in the Dursley area which takes patients to medical appointments is under threat - unless new volunteers come forward.
For more than 50 years, the Dursley Good Neighbours Scheme has provided a much-needed transport service for elderly and disabled people.
The volunteer group helps people who do not qualify for NHS transport to get to hospital, clinic, GP surgery or dental appointments.
Over the past year the group completed more than 1,200 journeys for 1,500 patients.
This included journeys to and from Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Cheltenham General Hospital, Stroud General Hospital and Vale Community Hospital in Dursley.
However, the scheme is now facing its ‘greatest challenge’ in many years, according to organisers.
Transport coordinators Dawn and David Elsdon, who organise volunteer drivers for the service, are both finally retiring after many years of service.
Dawn has been the group’s coordinator for more than 20 years. The scheme is now urgently seeking new volunteers to replace Dawn and David to take over their work.
Chairman Roger Bennett said: “We want to be able to continue to help all those needing to get to the health services they need.
“For many patients, often living alone, public transport is not accessible and private hire is too costly so they rely on the scheme for their treatment.”
The coordinator role would include taking phone requests on a daily basis from patients.
It would also involve arranging pickup times with drivers, alongside maintaining the routine administration of the scheme with the help of the treasurer.
If anyone is interested in taking up the role of coordinator they should call the scheme on 07436 430269.
The scheme covers Dursley and the surrounding area including Berkeley, Stinchcombe, North Nibley, Slimbridge, Cambridge, Cam, Coaley, Uley, Sharpness and Purton.
Patients contribute to fuel costs, and the scheme receives some funding from Gloucestershire County Council as well as local town and parish councils.
The Elsdon’s were previously named finalists for the Pride of the Cotswolds in 2019 which was run by the Gazette.
They were nominated by a patient they helped, who said: “I can’t describe to you the immense help they are providing for the locals.
“What they’ve done for me alone is amazing.
“Many of their neighbours would have great difficulty in getting some of the appointments.
“Bus transport is often impossible and if you are disabled, for example, even more difficult.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here