Mandy Smith, who has represented the charity for over 10 years, discussed how CTC continues to play such a pivotal role within the community.
The charity is built around three core services: the community car service – dating back to 1976, making it one of the longest running volunteer car services in the UK, Home from Hospital service, and ‘out & about’ trips.
While many trips are to medical appointments, destinations also include supermarkets, lunch clubs, family visits, and even airports. In essence, the transport is there for anyone in need. In addition, other community organisations are able to hire the minibuses for their own purposes.
Mandy explained that the charity makes approximately 11,000 trips a year across their 1,300 client base, with around 25% of these journeys taking members home from hospital.
The community car service is designed with affordability and ease in mind, allowing clients to pay online, via invoice, or with assistance from family, friends or solicitors. This is especially important as navigating digital platforms can be challenging for many elderly and vulnerable individuals.
CTC is funded through their group outings, donations and contributions, but primarily rely on funding through the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and The National Lottery.
The charity operates day-to-day with the help of its team of 55 volunteers and paid drivers. Staff and volunteers use their own cars alongside the charity’s electric vehicles and three accessible minibuses.
The volunteers are a mix of young retirees and individuals looking for work experience, improve physical and mental health, or find a supportive workplace.
CTC’s commitment goes well beyond simply getting people from A to B. For over a decade, the charity has partnered with Age UK Calderdale & Kirklees on settling-in services and plays a crucial role in NHS patient discharges with drivers often commended for going the extra mile.
Unlike a taxi driver who might drop a passenger at the front door and leave, CTC drivers assist clients inside, help them into a wheelchair if needed, and wait until hospital staff can attend to them.
This extra level of care is invaluable for many service users, especially those without family or friends available to help. For elderly, disabled, or vulnerable individuals, public transport can be exhausting, confusing, or simply inaccessible.
For many, the car service is a lifeline. Jean, a client pictured with volunteer John, shared her experience:
“After my husband died I realised I was going whole weeks without seeing anyone. Now I go to a social group at my church every week.
The Volunteer Car Service enables me to get out and spend time with other humans!”
The bond between clients and drivers often extends beyond the service. Mandy highlighted how some drivers have been honoured guests at milestone birthday parties, with clients eager to celebrate the friendships they’ve built.
Peter, another regular client, said:
“My volunteer Brian has been absolutely fantastic with me! He is meticulous, helpful & couldn’t do enough for me.”
CTC’s ‘Bring a Friend’ pilot scheme is another innovative initiative.
By encouraging clients to invite a friend to join them for activities, the scheme helps alleviate loneliness and makes new experiences less daunting. Both the client and their friend are transported together by CTC, ensuring a familiar face is always present.
A recurring theme emerged throughout our conversation with Mandy: while many activities are available to older people, accessing them can be a significant challenge.
Trudy, whose mother Ann is a client, expressed her gratitude: “You do a fab job preventing mum from becoming isolated, she has Parkinson’s and singing and dancing is so good for her.”
Mandy summed up CTC’s vital role perfectly:
“Transport is not an end in itself but the glue that holds the system together. It’s not just about the journey, it’s about reaching your destination.”
For more on Community Transport Calderdale, please visit their website: https://www.ctcalderdale.co.uk