Providing vital community links
A new community transport service leapt into action recently when rural residents faced a tricky time travelling to a Kenilworth event.
Kenilworth Community Services recently organised an RNID (the Royal National Institute for Deaf People) coffee morning at the town’s library, which acts as both a social meeting and somewhere people can access health product information.
Realising that transport cannot be taken for granted, especially from the many rural areas around Kenilworth, Senior Library Assistant Debbie Sly made some enquiries with Warwickshire County Council’s transport operations.
Needing to co-ordinate timely pick-ups from Henley, Rowington, Bishops Tachbrook, Radford Semele, Stoneleigh and Leek Wootton, a tight schedule was worked out with Racing to Get There, the community transport service for the Warwick area.
Stephen Roots, Warwickshire County Council’s Community Transport Officer, said: “This could be seen as a promising trial run for the rural transport. We would like to see it available for future library events.
“Customers were pleased with the arrangements and the MiDAS qualified driver was complimented on his courteousness. The event recruited a new volunteer for the RNID and many went away with the intention of purchasing RNID equipment.”
Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “Warwickshire County Council is taking great strides into making services accessible for all of the community.”