Melksham & District Link service facing closure unless volunteers can be found

MELKSHAM & District Link service is in danger of closing down if no volunteer co-ordinators come forward. 

The Link is a community transport service based in Melksham and serves the town and surrounding villages. It is provided entirely by volunteers and helps transport people to medical appointments, shopping, day care or to visit relatives in care.

Volunteer co-ordinators are needed to assist in manning their telephone lines from 9-10.30am and an answer phone up to 5pm Monday to Friday on a shared basis.  Training and full support is provided

Everyone in the service is a volunteer including the drivers who participate in the scheme. They use their private cars and customers make a voluntary contribution for the journey or job – whatever they feel is fair or can afford. This contribution helps to support the Link drivers in continuing.

This service has been available for the Melksham community for almost 20 years and offers a lifeline for many elderly, disabled or vulnerable people in the area.

Chairman of the Melksham & District Link, Mike Nash said, “It is a very valuable service for many people in Melksham and without it, many lives would be affected.

“We have been going almost 20 years, so to stop would be a real shame. We need co-ordinators who can man the phones and tell our drivers where to be and at what time. We take people as far as Bristol or Southampton, so it’s a massive help for so many people. If anyone can help us it would be great.”

Call 07979 129052 for details on how you can help keep the Link service operating.