Broad Street Wrington Helpline

Current Journal entry
Wrington Helpline - 20th Anniversary


In September 1987 Helpline was launched by Angela Carey and a number of far- sighted people in the Village. This group realised that a service was needed for those locals who had medical appointments in places like Bristol or Weston super Mare and who were neither well enough to travel independently nor had the means of getting there, except by NHS Ambulance.

Those who had need of the service were taken to their destinations by volunteer drivers. Today, we have 25 people who continue the tradition and will see the 65,000 milestone reached in provision of our service. Interestingly, use of the service has increased dramatically. In our first 17 years we averaged 2,500 miles a year; the average has risen to 7,000 miles a year over the last 3 years!

Clearly we need to increase the size of our pool of drivers. Please contact Philippa Perks if you would like more information.

We know, talking to our passengers, how much the service is appreciated. Our drivers, too, are uplifted by their participation. As they say, "it's a win, win situation"!

Drivers are remunerated at the rate of 35 pence per mile which is intended to assist with all their running costs (The AA recommends 45p. per mile). Our other expenses are minimal, £70 a year to cover telephone costs and another £30 to cover stationery and sundries.

How do we fund the scheme? Our clients donate money to cover their journeys, usually by dropping off an envelope to our good friends at AMORS who collect the donations for us, and from time to time generous donations from local organisations and generous individuals drop from heaven!

Of course we are a non-profit making organisation. Some years ago we actually amassed a sizeable surplus which we were pleased to pass on to the Wrington Vale Medical centre; nowadays we aim to break even, and so far we have.

Clearly this is a facility greatly valued in the locality. We now look forward to the next 20 years of Helpline but we need a steady infusion of new blood to help maintain it. If you have a little spare time and think that you would enjoy helping people we would love to hear from you.

Contact nos:                 Philippa Perks: 862480 and Peter Owen: 863180

Peter Owen Hon. Treasurer
Wrington Help line was founded in 1987 with aim of providing transport to hospital, surgery or other medical appointments for those who live in the Wrington, Redhill and Butcombe areas, and who are disabled, elderly or simply unable to travel 'under their own steam'.

A team of volunteer helpers, led and organised by Phillipa Perks and Peter Owen, are also very willing to 'sit-in' for carers, shop for those unable to visit the shops, collect and deliver completed prescriptions from the Chemist, etc.

Since our inception, Helpers have driven 40,000 miles on their various journeys! Their mileage expenses have been met from donations from grateful passengers and other extremely generous local donors and organisations.

Should you need to use our service please telephone:

Philippa Perks   on 862480 or Peter Owen: 863180

The needs of users are mostly:

Attendance at hospitals and clinics
Chiropody treatment
Eye examinations
Visits to relatives and friends in care homes
Shopping in Yatton and Clevedon
Outings for the housebound.

About 65% of the journeys come within the first four categories, mainly relating to health matters.

The continuing rise in the cost of fuel has made it necessary to increase the mileage allowance recently, and our concern must be to ensure that income is maintained to meet increased costs.

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Since Wrington Helpline started in our community in 1988 (covering an area around Wrington, Redhill and Butcombe) we have driven some 42,000 miles, taking and fetching people to and from local surgeries, all the hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and chiropodists, collecting prescriptions and helping the disabled with their shopping etc.

We have a very happy team of drivers who are called upon not more than once a month, and to whom I am tremendously grateful. If anyone has a little spare time and would like to help do let me know. We pay our drivers 30p a mile.

Please remember our service and let Helpline help you if you need assistance. We do not set a charge but just ask you to make a donation if you feel able to.

The telephone numbers to ring are my own (862480) or 863074.

Philippa Perks,
Coordinator.