Urgent appeal for volunteers at Westbury Link scheme

Members of the Westbury and District Link Scheme are calling on residents to volunteer for the good neighbour service, following fears the charity has become overwhelmed by demand.

The free service has run since 1998 and offers local people help with transport, shopping and other practical assistance.

Due to increased demand, the scheme has recently started turning people away to prioritise travel to and from medical appointments. It is now calling on local people to volunteer to ensure help remains available for those who need it.

“Westbury Link finds itself in a position of having to say no to shopping and library visits, and people visiting in hospital because we are so short of drivers,” said Dorian Jones, publicity officer for the Westbury Link scheme. “What drivers we have must be prioritised for doing the hospital rounds to Bath and to Salisbury and to other local hospitals.”

Dorian hopes that with enough volunteers, the scheme will be able to provide additional services such as help with shopping again.

“It’s nice to get out of the house, you meet new people, and it’s a very rewarding job to do,” said Dorian.

Volunteers can offer their time as often as they like and are reimbursed for miles covered.

For those who are unable to drive or leave the house, there is an opportunity to join the team of coordinators. Coordinators take calls from their home from a designated phone number and then contact drivers to see if they can make the trip.

To get involved, or find out more, call Dorian on 01373 859669

Pictured: Dorian Jones, Colin Glaswell, Maurice Bizeray, Ann Bizeray, Mavis Payne, John Masson, Dave Nolan and Nick Pyne