“The Council is so proud of the Community Bus service and how much of a difference it makes to the lives of the residents who use it”.
Haydon Wick Parish Council’s Community Bus Service was recently nominated for being the ‘Most Innovative Community Run Service’ as part of the Wiltshire Community First Award Scheme. The Council is delighted to share that the service won. This comes after the Parish Council won a Community First Award last year for its Memory Café being the best Local Community Project in Wiltshire.
The Community Bus service is a lifeline for many of our elderly and vulnerable residents. The service has been provided to the community for over thirty years and it is only made possible by the Council’s dedicated volunteer bus drivers who give their time each week to support the service.
In the past two years, the bus service has gone from strength to strength since it was taken over by the Council’s exceptional Administrator. Her hard work and tenacity has meant the service has developed beyond anything the Council ever thought possible – enabling the parish’s older and most vulnerable residents to leave their homes, form friendships and look forward to spending time with their friends on bus trips.
Some recent feedback from the bus users informs how fantastic the drivers are and what an asset to the community they are:
“I never get to go anywhere because of my family living far away and my mobility restricts me. This service, along with the wonderful volunteer drivers, enables me to join in and enjoy my life again.”
“We are so grateful and lucky to have this amazing service on our doorstep.”
“I couldn’t ask for a better service, everyone is so friendly and helpful, they really do care about me.”
“I really look forward to meeting up with my closest friends, on our weekly shopping trip.”
The Council is so proud of the service and how much of a difference it makes to the lives of the residents who use it. The volunteers are at the forefront of making it such a hugely successful and much needed service within the parish.
On the Wednesday 11th October Councillor Vinay Manro Chairman of the Council, the Council’s Chief Officer Georgina Morgan-Denn and two of the bus service’s fabulous drivers Mike Gregory and Ian Perrett attended the Community First Award Ceremony & AGM in Devizes to receive the Council’s award. The drivers were especially proud to receive the award on behalf of the volunteer team and had a thoroughly enjoyable time meeting HM Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Troughton who is the President of Community First.
To find out more about the Bus Service visit the Council’s website: https://haydonwick.gov.uk/community-bus/
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Left to Right: HM Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Troughton, Cllr Vinay Manro, Georgina Morgan-Denn, Mike Gregory, Ian Perrett
Darry New, the Council’s Administrator taking older residents out to a Local Garden Centre.
Younger bus users using the bus for a Toddler’s Soft Play Date organised by the Council.