New transport scheme revs up to help elderly
Volunteer drivers ferry folk to appointments and clubs
People in and around Killin will find it easier to get to hospital appointments and support groups thanks to a new scheme launched in the village at the weekend.
The Killin and District Volunteer Car Scheme (KDVCS), which will also work with other groups supporting communities in remote areas, has been set up with help from a Stirling Council start-up grant.
The project is able to pay its volunteer drivers the nationally agreed rates, whilst reducing costs to passengers who meet its criteria to 20p per mile.
Almost 60 people attended the launch including Stirling’s MP Stephen Kerr, MSP Bruce Crawford, and councillors Martin Earl and Jeremy McDonald.
Originally set up for hospital and medical journeys, KDVCS has now developed a constitution to include people who need to get to services which are essential or in the interests of their general wellbeing.
This enables it to include people who may benefit from transport if they are isolated, lonely or may have conditions such as Alzheimers or stroke, and enable them to access community or specialist clubs and groups.
Senior Stirling Council manager Anne Ferguson is delighted the scheme is now in operation and said it tied in with Stirling Council’s LinkAge project, which aims to bring together people over 65 in Trossachs and Teith area .
Christine Watt, Town Break Dementia Support Services development officer, spoke about the dementia group that meets in Callander and how by using Linkage and KDVCS people from the area had been able to attend the Town Break group.
Don Fraser of KDVCS said: “We are grateful to Anne Fergusson, and with the efforts of Councillors Martin Earl and Jeremy McDonald who have worked hard to raise the issues of transport needs within our communities.
“Rachael Murphy of the Community Transport Association came from Edinburgh to attend and has helped us to successfully access funding from the ‘Pockets and Prospects’ grant.
“We also had a speech from our volunteer driver Dickie Lewis, which was so inspiring that Rachel has asked for a copy for the CTA.
“It also helped to encourage additional people to volunteer as drivers, with others joining as support.
“The launch rounded off with a presentation of a cheque from Stephen Kerr and further donations from the audience of over £60.
“We are grateful for any and every donation or grant, as we are keen to keep our costs as low as possible.
“To this end MSPs Bruce Crawford and Dean Lockhart are also working hard to encourage NHS Forth Valley to also support us.
“Our most expensive journeys are to hospitals with 90-mile round trips and much further if patients needs are referred onto other hospitals for specialist treatment. All these miles without any direct public transport links.”
Councillor Earl said: “This is great service that has addressed a real problem in the area.
“The support from the council has been excellent, but NHS Forth Valley need to provide some support themselves by subsidising the cost of any journey over an agreed mileage.
“Other NHS trusts do this where long journeys are needed so why not here?”
Mr Kerr added: “This shows what a few determined people with a bit of support can achieve.
“Getting to any medical appointments from anywhere north of Callander can present real challenge.
“Having this service available can be the difference between getting there or not.
“Don and all the volunteers are doing a marvellous job.”
Stirling Council’s environment and housing convener Jim Thomson said: “It’s brilliant to see this scheme get off the ground and the praise goes to the organisers and local community who have worked hard to make this possible.”