Age UK Wiltshire are looking for volunteers that could help older people to regain their confidence to travel independently again.
Supported by volunteers, Travel Friends will aim to help clients to reconnect with their local communities, friends, and family.
During covid, Age UK Wiltshire say many older people lost confidence in getting out in the community and may need support now to travel independently once again.
As part of the Travel Friends service, volunteers would work with an older person over a short period of time, to help them gain the confidence to access and understand bus/train timetables, as well as the community transport and Link schemes in their area.
Travel Friends volunteers will also travel with the client at first, to help them feel confident to do so alone. Age UK Wiltshire says all volunteers will receive training for this role and will be supported by a member of staff.
Ginny Cooper, Services Manager at Age UK Wiltshire, said: “We are so excited about this service and how it can really make a difference to those older people who are struggling with isolation. Many people have lost their confidence to travel independently to their usual activities and clubs and are missing out on vital social connections.
“As I mentioned to Graham Rogers on BBC Radio Wiltshire in August, this is a wonderful volunteering opportunity to make a real difference, by just volunteering once or twice a week, for about four weeks for each client.
“You would be providing tailored, individual support to help someone access public or community transport for their shopping, attend local clubs or medical appointments and help them with any difficulties that they may experience on their first few trips. If you have some spare time to help others, we would love to hear from you!”
Those interested in finding out more about this volunteering role, can call Ginny on 07500 137 135 or visit Age UK Wiltshire website (link: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/wiltshire/ ), or complete a volunteering application here (link: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/wiltshire/get-involved/volunteer/start-volunteering/ )
For more information on the service, members of the public can contact [email protected]??or via telephone on 07500 137 135.
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