THE elderly and disabled in a rural town will be able to access a transport scheme that will help to stay connected to their community and book necessary trips such as hospital appointments.

The ‘dial-a-ride’ scheme, launched by the South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SDCP), a Corwen-based charity for the promotion of wellbeing and social welfare, will enable isolated elderly and disabled people in Corwen to book a cab driven by a volunteer to take them to their destination.

The scheme can be used for trips such as doctors appointments, hospital appointments, social groups, visiting friends and hairdressing appointments, which Ms Sutherland says will “enable isolated people to stay connected with their community and maintain independence”.

The car, a Toyota Rav 4, is also used for the charity’s ‘meal on wheels’ service and joins a 16-seater wheelchair-accessible minibus as part of the SDPC’s new community transport system.

The minibus will be used for outings organised by Canolfan Ni, the SDCP HQ, such as shopping trips to Llangollen and will be available for hire to local community groups.

Margaret Sutherland, chief officer for the SDCP, said: “The scheme was set up in response to consultation with the community and healthcare services. Accessing appointments that fitted in with transport was found to be very difficult and created peaks and troughs in the demand on health services, and often meant a delay in getting an appointment that did fit with transport links.

“Additionally for those with poor mobility accessing social groups or visiting friends was very difficult, increased isolation and restricted independence and often meant relying on a family member.”

The cost of each journey is based on miles. A 10-minute journey from Llandrillo to Corwen (5.4 miles) would be priced at £3.50.

The scheme has been funded by Big Lottery funding to the tune of £350,000, which will fund the lease of the car for four years, after which time the scheme will be self-sustaining through passenger payments for petrol.

Huw Jones, county councillor for Corwen, said: “This is a scheme that is desperately needed.

“Transport and service links in localities are very poor, especially at weekends, and with budget cuts this is not going to change.

“The scheme could help everyone, from the resident to the dentist.

"The SDCP is looking for volunteers and I hope the community can offer their help."

A new electric car will also be available for hire from the SDCP, funded by the Welsh Government’s Rural Community Development Fund, with more to be announced in coming months.

For more information on the dial-a-ride scheme, visit the SDCP website at www.canolfan-ni.org or call 01490 266004.