WIVELISCOMBE’S community charity Wivey Link was this week celebrating the arrival of a new wheelchair-accessible vehicle funded by the Rural England Prosperity Fund and hailed as a “lifeline” for local residents.

To mark this year’s Community Transport Week, local MP Rachel Gilmour visited Wivey Link to see the new vehicle and to congratulate the charity on providing a vital service to local people.

Wivey Link was awarded 70 per cent funding towards the new vehicle to add to their fleet with money from the Prosperity Fund via Somerset Council.

The charity now has five vehicles and volunteer drivers use their own cars for some journeys.

The theme for this year’s Community Transport Week is “More Than a Minibus”, which highlights community transport services and the impact they have on so many lives.

Wivey Link has over 450 members who are transported by almost 50 volunteer drivers trained to offer door to door support, providing essential services that are more than just transport.

They include supporting older residents, people with disabilities and underserved communities, to ensuring individuals have access to healthcare, education, and employment.

Wivey Link said their service is available to everybody, whatever their circumstances, within the catchment area that has recently been extended so that members can be transported to Dulverton and Watchet.

One passenger said: “I could not carry on living in my house without Wivey Link. I would have no way to see friends and would be incredibly lonely. I just don’t know what I would do.

“The drivers are all so friendly and supportive and we always have a giggle on the way in to town”.

During the visit, Rachel Gilmour met staff and volunteers who told her how their services went beyond transportation, helping individuals stay independent, connected, and empowered.

Mrs Gilmour added: “Wivey Link offers a vital service to local people, giving those who may otherwise struggle the opportunity to live independently, travel to surrounding areas, and access essential services.

“I am proud to have such a fantastic community-focused organisation in my constituency and I am keen to support their work in any way I can.”

She added: “I am pleased that their new wheelchair accessible vehicle is making is making a positive difference by increasing their capacity. In rural areas like ours, where transport is a huge issue for many, it is organisations like Wivey Link that give people the freedom to live their lives.”

Pauline Homeshaw, chair of the Wivey Link charity, said: “We were thrilled to welcome Rachel Gilmour for this important visit during Community Transport Week.

“It was an excellent opportunity to showcase how much more we are than just a taxi service. We are part of the fabric of this community, helping individuals stay connected, independent, and part of society.

“Our volunteers work tirelessly to keep our cars on the road and we are especially pleased, given how tough it is to find funding at the moment, to receive this vital grant towards a new vehicle.”