Swale CVS
Central House
Central Avenue
Sittingbourne
Kent
ME10 4NU
Tele: 01795 473828
Contact Us
Registered Charity Number 277523
Social Car Scheme
Have difficulty using public transport? Swale Volunteer Centre run a Social Car Scheme, providing transport to those vital appointments for people who have difficulty using public transport.There are many reasons why you may have problems with using buses, trains or taxis. Mobility, appointment times, costs etc. The Social Car Scheme is there to provide transport to enable you to get to those essential appointments i.e. the doctor, hospital, dental and so on. Our service is run by volunteers, both the person who takes your booking and the driver who drives you to your appointment. |
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| The volunteers give their time and support freely but there is a charge, payable to the driver, which goes towards the running costs of their vehicle, petrol and so forth. The current charge is 45p per mile (with a minimum charge of £4.50). There also is a one off joining fee of £25.00 or £35.00 per couple to help cover administration and ongoing telephone costs. Besides providing transport, the driver will also provide the comfort and support of a friendly arm to lean on if you wish, if you need assistance with a wheelchair there is always room in the car for a friend or family member to assist you at no extra cost. The driver will wait for you for a reasonable time (up to 2 hours) an extra charge will be applied if a longer stay is required (for refreshments etc.) Telephone 01795 426647 |
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| In Swale, older people and those with a disability often have great difficulty getting to essential appointments at hospitals; doctors; dentists; day centres etc. The borough does not have a general hospital within its boundaries and it is therefore often a long round trip to attend at a variety of hospitals in Medway; Canterbury; Maidstone and sometimes as far afield as London. This problem was recognised twenty six years ago by the then Swale Volunteer Bureau, when the Swale Social Car Scheme was set up. Over the years many thousands of local people have benefited and used the scheme. |
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| Around 60 volunteer drivers, give their time for free, use their own vehicles and only receive recompense for their petrol and general running costs. For most people, mobility is taken for granted but many of the ‘clients’ who make use of the scheme have no alternative means of getting to their appointments, they often need a helping hand and support and this is what the drivers are able to offer them. |
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