New community group, Frome Community Cars, is looking for volunteer drivers to help people in Frome access the services they need.
The service, which is set to launch in October, will primarily provide transport for those who have limited access in collecting medication or attending hospital appointments. If the scheme is successful, other journeys could be added.
Richard Fry who is helping to set up the scheme said, “Volunteer driver schemes exist in many areas and provide a lifeline for people. By having a dedicated Frome service we want to develop a network of drivers who will ensure that Frome residents with limited access to transport can get to vital services such as medical appointments.”
The scheme is set up with seed funding from Frome Town Council and is set to be piloted in October. Frome Town Council’s resilience officer, Anna Francis said, “With cuts to services we are receiving an increasing number of calls from people who are finding it hard to get to medical appointments, or to visit their loved ones in hospital.
“We are also working with key groups such as Active and In Touch who tell us that transport often stops their members from attending local groups and activities. Volunteering, even once a month, is a fantastic way to support the local community, cover your cars costs and do something worthwhile. It also plays a key role in reducing isolation and improving wellbeing. And we’ll be exploring car sharing options and opportunities to use Frome’s car club to reduce emissions too.”
Whilst the initial focus is on transporting people to and from medical centres and hospitals, if the scheme is successful it could be expanded to allow other journeys, but, Richard is keen to point out that the scheme is not a taxi service.
He added, “The scheme will pay volunteer drivers 45p a mile to cover expenses and will also look to hire car club cars for people who want to volunteer but don’t have a suitable vehicle. Schemes elsewhere have found that most of the UK insurers do not add any additional cost. The scheme will also have its own public liability insurance.”
To volunteer or to find out more visit: www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/community-cars email: fromecommunitycars@gmail.com
![Town-wide programme brings month of social activities in May
A month-long programme of activities and events is set to take place across the town in May as part of an initiative encouraging residents to connect with themselves, each other and local places.
The scheme, Frome Connects, will run throughout the month and includes a mix of social activities, creative events and informal meet-ups in community spaces.
Highlights include the return of Dress Up Fridays, which began during lockdown and invites people to wear formal clothing or fancy dress and turn the town into their catwalk each Friday.
Set-piece moments include a Kate Bush-themed flashmob (Running Up That [Catherine] Hill) on 30th May, followed by a bell peal at St John’s Church where the bells will play Running Up That Hill.
There will also be a whole-town drone photo on Friday 30th May, with everyone encouraged to ‘look up’ at around 12.30pm.
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
Pictured: l-r Jenny Hartnoll and Ginny Adams](https://scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/684201964_18069463433653265_2722712448142239347_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=lpPD1lkIpzUQ7kNvwGc5hdb&_nc_oc=Adpzr2hnI58mBzDyMxcnkdK_pr7-84FAARfoTk3dgtKJKwIbvYouQytEkAdXpaUAvxU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=QKz5uslOl1wFJGffej9rcQ&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQEhS3JmIIRGVtdvc7NeDg-szHPgOZvSeqR7PYflJsqm1cp0XCNujCDPTyODWI0mmJV4mujraOr9&oh=00_Af2_0pgXuakjMTfphq9JSx7v6C2RU__qPFT1d7jQmFh5EA&oe=69F7C6AA "Town-wide programme brings month of social activities in May
A month-long programme of activities and events is set to take place across the town in May as part of an initiative encouraging residents to connect with themselves, each other and local places.
The scheme, Frome Connects, will run throughout the month and includes a mix of social activities, creative events and informal meet-ups in community spaces.
Highlights include the return of Dress Up Fridays, which began during lockdown and invites people to wear formal clothing or fancy dress and turn the town into their catwalk each Friday.
Set-piece moments include a Kate Bush-themed flashmob (Running Up That [Catherine] Hill) on 30th May, followed by a bell peal at St John’s Church where the bells will play Running Up That Hill.
There will also be a whole-town drone photo on Friday 30th May, with everyone encouraged to ‘look up’ at around 12.30pm.
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.
Pictured: l-r Jenny Hartnoll and Ginny Adams")
