Downland Volunteer Group Annual Report
As many of you are aware the Downland Volunteer Group (DVG) was set up in 1986 to assist residents from the Downland villages to attend their medical appointments. Our financial year runs from April to March. In the last financial year, we made 1337 such trips an increase of 34% over the previous financial year. We believe the increase is due to the efforts of the NHS to reduce the backlog that has built up and the publicity the DVG received in February 2024 when we launched the new HandeBus – the first all-electric community transport vehicle in West Berks. Of those 1337 trips 137 were for residents in your area
The DVG is made up of volunteers. We have 52 volunteers, driving patients to their appointments, working in our office in the Compton surgery and driving the HandeBus. From data we keep to claim grants from West Berks and the Dept of Transport our volunteers gave 3465 hours of their time for free. Our car drivers travelled 31,133 miles, the HandeBus carried 1011 passengers covering 158 trips and covered 8184 miles supporting the Downland community in this last financial year.
As I have mentioned the all-electric HandeBus was launched in February 2024. Its focus is to help mainly the older members of our community to go shopping. Unlike a bus service this is a taxi type service with the driver nearby where they shop and who helps load and carry the shopping to their front door. Often referred to as a social club on wheels it also encourages residents who often live on their own to get out and socialise with friends and neighbours. The HandeBus also does day trips to places of interest nearby.
With the increase in demand for our service we are constantly looking for new volunteers. Last year three of our volunteers stepped down each having given over 25 years of service to the DVG. We are most grateful to them for the support they have offered to our community over such a long period. I believe it also reflects that the DVG is regarded as a key support for many residents in their time of need.
If anyone can spare a few hours a week or in a month we would like to hear from them. As an example, taking patients to their appointments at the surgeries in Chieveley or Compton normally takes around 2 hours of your time. To the West Berks hospital in Thatcham is usually 3 hours depending on the department they are attending. These three locations account for nearly 50% of the trips covered by the DVG. If you would like further details about the Downland Volunteer Group you can contact us by email dvg.office@btinternet.com or through our website www.downlandvolgroup.org or by phone on 01635 578 394 between 9.30-am -11.30am Monday to Friday
Charity Commission No 1112181