Paul Riddick, CEO of Community Connexions

Last Wednesday we had a very interesting speaker, Paul Riddick C E O of an organization called

Community Connections, they provide door to door journeys helping vulnerable people across Gloucestershire. They provide transport for the elderly and vulnerable people who are isolated or who have no access to public transport, for medical appointments or for shopping trips. The use volunteer car drivers or for more regular trips, mini buses, these mini bus trips have created friendships among the passengers combating loneliness for some.  

Richard Apperley.

 Below - Paul with our President Neil.

Community Connexions   - https://communityconnexions.org.uk/  -   is a Gloucestershire based charity providing pre-booked transport for vulnerable people, who struggle to get where they need to go.

Since 2006, we have offered door-to-door services for the elderly, people living with disabilities, and anyone who is isolated by the lack of alternative transport options. We know for some people, this lack of transport can mean seeing and speaking to no-one for days on end

Our 20 adapted accessible minibuses and volunteers’ own cars take people to essential healthcare appointments, day centres, work place, lunch and library clubs, social visits and shopping. This helps identify health concerns, tackles loneliness, mitigates social, financial and rural isolation - and the negative impacts these have on mental health, and promotes independence and inclusion. As many vulnerable people are not eligible for free NHS transport, helping them attend appointments, avoids cancellations or postponements, assisting the NHS and other providers.

We rely on volunteers to help deliver our services, and currently have around 45 supporting us, motivated by the desire to help people who struggle with daily activities they themselves take for granted. They regularly tell us how much they benefit from meeting new people and new skills learned including first aid, manual handling, mental health awareness, and safeguarding.

            Annually they provide approximately 96.000 journeys, including 3,700 for wheelchair users, supporting              almost 17,000 people.