What is a Handybus?
The Volunteer Centre has 3 Handybuses available for community transport: one 14 – seater minibus and two 7-seater minibuses. All vehicles are specially adapted to provide easy access, with features including low steps and passenger lifts, enabling wheelchair users to travel safely and comfortably. Our Handybuses are fully accessible and operate a convenient ‘Book-a-Ride’ service throughout the local area, helping people stay independent and connected to their community.
The Handybuses provide regular transport for people in the local community who have limited mobility, are unable to use public buses, or do not have access to a nearby bus service. They support residents with shopping trips, and social visits, primarily in and around Newbury and Thatcham (Covering North Hampshire) . Subject to availability and existing commitments, the service can also provide one-off journeys and excursions, helping people remain independent and connected to their community.
As well as the Handybuses, we own and operate a ‘Chairman’ vehicle. This is a people carrier modified to provide accommodation for a wheelchair and easy access for disabled people.
Volunteer Centre West Berkshire organises the service, recruits the drivers and pays the running costs. We do this from the subsidised contributions made by the passengers but we are also dependent on donations and fundraising activities.
So how can I help?
We always need drivers to ensure the continuity of this service on which so many people depend. If you can find some time, on a regular or casual basis, to use your physical fitness, caring attitude and reliability to help the people we serve in your community, we should be delighted to hear from you.
What will I need to do?
As the Handybuses are equipped to carry more than eight people, you will need to take some basic training to learn about the operation of the bus and to ensure the safe boarding, transport and disembarking of our passengers.
You then just need to decide how much time you can offer to the service. As most of our trips are regularly scheduled, your availability can be fitted in with these in advance. We also have requirements for one-off journeys in between the regular trips, so it is always welcome if you can sometimes be available for these occasions; you will normally be given several day’s notice of the arrangements.
Although your services are offered on a voluntary basis, we will pay your private car mileage from your home to the operator’s base and back each time you drive for us.
OK, I'm interested - who do I talk to?
If you think that you could help, please give us a phone call (01635 37111, 09:00am – 01:00pm Monday to Friday) with no obligation. Or you can email our Newbury Handybus Coordinator at handybus@vcwb.org.uk
A few hours of your time would make a lot of difference to a lot of people.