Woodbridge Community Car Scheme needs your help

An innovative car scheme which provides transport for disadvantaged residents in and around a Suffolk town has suffered a blow after its new co-ordinator has been forced to step down due to ill health.

The devastating news means the Woodbridge Community Car Scheme – which helps residents who do not have access to other forms of transport to attended vital appointments, go shopping and visit friends and family – urgently needs to find a replacement co-ordinator to keep the service up and running.

It was only a few weeks ago the car scheme was celebrating being back in operation after recruiting the new coordinator whose predecessor had retired after holding the post for several years.

Scheme secretary Robert Brockbank said: “This is a very sad situation and our first thoughts are with Michael who had shown tremendous community spirit by agreeing to be our new coordinator, but has had no choice but to step down due to health issues. “We really are now in a very tricky situation as we simply cannot run the service without a coordinator to oversee its day to day running, so once again we are calling on a community minded individual to come forward to help us keep this valuable service running.

“The transport we provide really is a lifeline to many people such as the elderly, those with disabilities and others who cannot find access to other means of transport. Without us many local people would struggle to carry out simple tasks such as go shopping, pay bills or attend medical appointments, so anyone who has the time and ability to step in to this role would be making a huge difference to the community.”

The new coordinator would handle all calls to the service, arrange and confirm journeys, keep driver’s records up to date, attend occasional meetings on behalf of the organisation and keep quarterly accounts. The role can be home based, and expenses are paid.

Anyone who would like to learn more about becoming  the coordinator for the Woodbridge Community Car Scheme should contact Robert Brockbank on 01394 383641 or by post to St John’s Family Centre Woodbridge Ltd, St John’s Old Vicarage, 24 St John’s Hill, Woodbridge, IP12 1HS.

The service is run entirely by volunteer drivers who use their own cars on a non-profit making basis. Passengers contribute on a mileage basis towards the cost of a journey.

Media needing more information should contact Patrick Lowman on 07792 428555 or by email patrick_lowman@sky.com

Woodbridge Community Car Service is part of St John’s Family Centre Woodbridge Ltd which is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales No. 03720558, and a registered charity No. 1075415. St John’s Old Vicarage, 24 St John’s Hill, Woodbridge, IP12 1HS.