VOLUNTEERS are needed to help at Melksham Link, a local charity which offers lifts to medical appointments when someone has no other way of getting there.
“Volunteer drivers for Melksham Link come from a variety of backgrounds but they all share one thing – a desire to help others by providing a great service,” says chairman Liz Rowley.
“Demand for our services is high and growing so we do need more drivers. Driving for Link is very flexible and drivers do get mileage expenses. We do not charge clients but ask for donations.”
Sharing the experience of one volunteer driver from Melksham who has a full-time job at the same time as helping the charity, Liz said, “After seeing an article in the Melksham News, Lee decided to offer his help.
“Lee’s work pattern meant that he had days off, often in the week and so he has been able to offer one or two drives a week for Link.”
Explaining what he likes about the volunteer role, Lee said, “I have found the role so satisfying and stimulating and have loved meeting such a variety of people. It doesn’t matter if it is a couple of miles to a doctor’s surgery or all the way to Southmead [in Bristol] or the Royal United Hospital in Bath, clients are really appreciative of my help and it makes me feel good knowing I have helped make someone else’s life a little easier.”
Giving information about the role, Liz said, “Not all our volunteers are retired! Although the role does suit retirees, we look for anyone who can drive and has a car regardless of age or background. Several of our drivers have part-time jobs or work shifts and they can spare a couple of hours a week to help. One recent volunteer is a housewife and stay-at-home mum who says that driving for Link has boosted her confidence and the experience will help when she eventually returns to work.
“Volunteering for a charity is seen as a very good thing to be able to put on a CV when applying for jobs and a great form of work experience for some.
“If you think you could help us then please contact us on 07979 129052 to find out more. Or email melkshamlink@gmail.com and one of our Link team will get in touch.”
![Melksham Times Past
A column about days gone by in Melksham by local historian Lisa Ellis
The Independent Chapel and Women’s Rights in the 1840s
A document I recently transcribed lists the baptisms performed at the Independent Chapel. This record is especially helpful in that, along with baptisms, a lot of them include birth dates - one of the ways I discover which day someone was born.
The following is taken from a Wiltshire Times article published on 9th November 1878 which reports a speech given during the 100-year services and to celebrate their renovations (what we now know to be the Rachel Fowler Centre).
One speaker, Rev. T. Mann, minister in Trowbridge, talked about the Chapel’s origins when he related how Rev. Honywill came to Melksham and how he’d gone on to remain as the minister for the Independent Chapel for almost 60 years. [Honywill and his family lived on King Street in what we now call “Legion House”.]
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.](https://scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/505444438_18038424887647822_3264519508333556874_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=gXZQJoHTNiEQ7kNvwHezuPI&_nc_oc=AdlrJvMDapuork_EjycPOcegNeMnCA37GEIudkxkTeCfTgvB5iijE05ojpwlYCd5gN8&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr6-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=2ejTZ6D9dPXIFkdtQ-bGfg&oh=00_AfMePUYDK6PXDzeUYs-aKY4wfMPOaURY8Z6OwO7o8TXJSA&oe=685718CA "Melksham Times Past
A column about days gone by in Melksham by local historian Lisa Ellis
The Independent Chapel and Women’s Rights in the 1840s
A document I recently transcribed lists the baptisms performed at the Independent Chapel. This record is especially helpful in that, along with baptisms, a lot of them include birth dates - one of the ways I discover which day someone was born.
The following is taken from a Wiltshire Times article published on 9th November 1878 which reports a speech given during the 100-year services and to celebrate their renovations (what we now know to be the Rachel Fowler Centre).
One speaker, Rev. T. Mann, minister in Trowbridge, talked about the Chapel’s origins when he related how Rev. Honywill came to Melksham and how he’d gone on to remain as the minister for the Independent Chapel for almost 60 years. [Honywill and his family lived on King Street in what we now call “Legion House”.]
Read more on our website, the link is in our bio.")
