Chew Valley Community Transport scheme has recently had to turn down several requests from passengers for a lift to a medical appointment – which is totally unprecedented.

A spokeswoman said: “CVCT has been running since 2010, with local volunteer drivers taking people who have no other means of transport to their medically related appointments. Most of our passengers are very elderly and/or disabled, so really aren’t able to use the new bus services.

“Our drivers pick them up from their home, take them to the appointment then bring them home again, all in their own car, for just the cost of the mileage. We don’t have a group mini-bus and we don’t do shopping trips.

“But now, increasingly often lately, we’re having to explain to passengers that we simply don’t have enough volunteer drivers and no-one is available to take them. In that situation we have to suggest that they book a taxi – or try to change their appointment.”

CVCT really has been a wonderful scheme, which has helped dozens of local people maintain their independence for many years and would love to be able to continue providing this much-needed support in this very rural area.

Driving for CVCT is completely flexible, with no regular commitment of any kind – drivers simply offer to take a passenger, if and when they wish to, when they see that a journey has been requested. It currently has around 30 drivers but more are urgently needed to enable them to help an increasing number of passengers.

Although called Chew Valley Community Transport, it has grown over the past few years to cover surrounding areas.

A spokeswoman added: “We now have passengers who live in the area between the A38 and the A37, from Dundry and Felton in the north to Clutton, Cameley, Blagdon and Butcombe in the south. So far as possible we try to link passengers with drivers who live relatively nearby, so we’re looking for volunteer car drivers who live within, or near, this area if possible.

“Drivers are supported by a team of six volunteer coordinators who take the details from people phoning to request a lift, then liaise between the driver who offers to take them and the passenger, to confirm the journey. All communication is handled confidentially through the coordinator - passengers are not given the direct contact details for their driver.

“We also need another volunteer coordinator, to replace one of our team who has moved to Cornwall and is currently working from there. The coordinators don’t need to have a car or to be able to drive; they can be completely home-based.

“They take turns to have the local CVCT phone number transferred to their own landline or mobile for a week at a time, take calls from passengers then add the details of the journey requested to a dedicated, easy-to-use software system specifically designed for use by voluntary transport schemes throughout the UK.”

Anybody who might be interested in volunteering for CVCT, either as a driver or by joining our team of coordinators, please contact them for more information:

CVCT phone number: 01275 333430 – or email: [email protected]

If you know of anyone who needs the services as a passenger please do give them the phone number. The service says it never turns new passengers away.

CVCT has been operating as a Community Interest Company since 2010, under the auspices of the West of England Rural Network (WERN), and has some admin support from WERN.

If you require any further information please contact the shared CVCT email or phone number above or Annie: 07711 784048