VULNERABLE and elderly residents can travel further for free and be able to access more activities to help keep them fit thanks to public health funding.
Redditch Borough Council has been successful in bidding for additional funding from Worcestershire Public Health, made available to help those most impacted by Covid, to support the transport of people to council-run community exercise sessions helping the lonely, elderly, disabled and vulnerable.
Residents who are eligible for community transport, usually those who are unable to access public transport easily due to disability or older age, can now use the transport for free in order to attend council-run community exercise classes designed to improve mobility, prevent falls, and help vulnerable people stay independent in their homes.
The extra funding will cover the cost usually charged for this service (or alternatively the registration set up fee) and will be available until the end of March.
All transport will need to be pre-booked and uses volunteer driven cars and multi-purpose vehicles.
Note that council-run community exercise classes have now finished and will reopen again in the New Year.
More details about start dates are available on the council’s website, search for “community classes”.
To find out more about how to book free transport or learn more about the community classes available near you go to www.redditchbc.gov.uk. Alternatively, call the council to discuss your needs on 01527 881404.
The funding is only eligible for use by participants attending the council’s community classes and cannot be used for other exercise sessions or other journeys, for instance, like shopping.
Redditch Borough Council Leader, Councillor Matt Dormer, said: “We have a wide variety of community classes on offer which are specially designed to help our residents stay independent and healthy, but transport can be tricky if you’re reliant on family or friends to take you or can’t afford the taxi fare.
“This funding from Public Health could make a significant difference to our lonely, elderly, disabled and vulnerable residents in Redditch.”
To deliver the service, the council will be working alongside local transport partners Dial a Ride and others.
The council are also asking any local taxi drivers who are interested in supporting the scheme in outlying areas, where traditional community transport is not as readily available.
Interested? Contact Hayley Gwilliam on 01527 881404 or email [email protected].
