New Funding Drive Breaks Transport Barriers for Herefordshire’s Most Vulnerable

A vital lifeline has been extended to rural residents living with dementia, thanks to a new volunteer-led transport initiative funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

The project, delivered by social enterprise and registered charity Halo Leisure, addresses the significant “transport gap” that often leaves elderly and vulnerable residents across the county isolated from social and health services. By pairing “civic-minded” volunteer driver befrienders with those who can no longer drive themselves, the scheme is ensuring that a dementia diagnosis doesn’t mean the end of an active social life.

The programme is already yielding emotional dividends for local families. For residents like Bernard, who lost his wife last year and recently gave up his car, the service is a bridge to essential human connection.

“Now, more than ever, he needs the fellowship of the group,” his son shared.

The impact is equally felt by caregivers. The daughter of Pat, another service user, noted that the door-to-door support provides a much-needed “boost” to her mother’s mood while offering the family a vital period of respite.

As a social enterprise and registered charity, Halo Leisure relies on this synergy between government funding and local volunteerism. The UKSPF aims to “improve pride in place,” and by turning neighbours into drivers, this initiative is doing exactly that.

The ‘Feel Good for Life’ sessions at Hereford and Leominster Leisure Centres provide a safe haven for those feeling lonely or low to stay physically active and social. With the transport barrier removed, these sessions are becoming a cornerstone of independent living for many.

Halo is encouraging more residents to step forward and join the cohort of volunteer drivers to ensure the programme’s longevity.