WESTBURY and District Link Scheme, one of the busiest Link schemes in Wiltshire, is celebrating 15 years of service to the local community.
The ‘good neighbour’ scheme is particularly valued by older residents who need transport to get to doctor or hospital appointments.
Present and past volunteers, together with representatives of the Westbury community, gathered at a reception at the Laverton last Friday to celebrate the milestone.
Over the past 15 years Link has helped many hundreds of residents from Westbury and the surrounding villages, particularly the elderly and those without transport, with trips to doctors’ surgeries, hospitals and to local shops.
The scheme says that its service is in greater demand than ever before, especially since the opening of the White Horse Health Centre last September. Every month volunteers drive up to 5,000 miles carrying out over 200 tasks. Currently there are almost 50 volunteers, who give some of their spare time to help as drivers, co-ordinators or committee members.
John Adams, chairman of Westbury Link’s management committee said, “Westbury and District Link Scheme is a thriving and growing organisation. We have a great team of volunteers who have contributed so much to the Westbury community as “Good Neighbours” so we have plenty to celebrate as we look back over the successes of the past 15 years, and look forward to what we might achieve over the next 15.”
Westbury Link Scheme always welcomes additional volunteers – drivers, telephone coordinators and committee members – to help meet the growth in the demand for its services. Volunteers need only give a small amount of their spare time. The work particularly suits people who have recently retired and who are looking for an opportunity to meet people and to serve the community in an interesting and fulfilling way. Younger people with a little time to spare, too, perhaps mums whose children have just started school, are always welcomed on board as volunteers.
• If you would like to help by volunteering with the scheme, please contact 01373 859 669 or John on 07917 670 509.
• If you would like to use Wiltshire and District Link Scheme, please contact 01373 859 669.
