BRAINTREE Community Transport service ‘urgently’ needs volunteers to provide transport for elderly, isolated and frail people.

Braintree Community Transport are a working partnership between Braintree Council and Essex County Council.

It aims to provide transport for those living in the district who are elderly, frail, vulnerable, have a disability, are isolated, have a mobility difficulty or whose needs are not met by existing public transport services.

Volunteers undertake the majority of transport requests either in one of six fully accessible 12-seater minibuses, or in their own vehicle.

One resident said that “without this service, many people are housebound” and unable to get to hospital appointments, go shopping, or visit relatives.

Support - The scheme sees members of the public take each other to hospital appointments, visit relatives, and go to the shops. Support - The scheme sees members of the public take each other to hospital appointments, visit relatives, and go to the shops. (Image: Braintree Council) A spokesman for Braintree Council said: “We are currently experiencing difficulties meeting demand for our Community Transport service due to no longer have the level of assistance from volunteer drivers we previously enjoyed. 

“Despite our best efforts we have been unable to attract sufficient new volunteers.

 “We urgently need the support of volunteer drivers to drive our minibuses or their own cars to help people, in our communities who need help, to get out and about.

“Anyone who is interested in volunteering can find out more on our website or by calling our Community Transport team on 01376 557883.”