18th September 2019

A Trust has awarded local charity Guild Care with an incredible £42,000 towards a new minibus to help connect local older people to their day centre and other services.

The Valerie Emily Munday Day Centre Trust provides grants to day care centres for the elderly in East and West Sussex.

A spokesperson for the Trust said: “Guild Care carries out vital work to combat social isolation and promote wellbeing for our more senior members of society. We are very pleased to be able to assist by providing transport to enable even more people to access their activities and services.”

Transport is a vital part of Guild Care’s work in reducing isolation and improving the health and wellbeing of older people in the community. Their services enable local older people who cannot drive or may not be confident about leaving their home alone, to easily access Guild Care’s range of services. This includes their Friendship Club, a gathering of people aged 70 and over who want to make friends, relax and enjoy themselves in a safe and supportive environment.

Nicki Freeman, Head of Older People’s Services at Guild Care, said: “This wonderful donation from the Trust means a huge amount to our customers –  door-to-door transport provision enables and encourages an older person to come out of their home to access clubs – to make friends and socialise, to eat a healthy home cooked meal, have fun and feel supported. 

“Without a door-to-door transport service on a minibus such as this donated one, older people are less likely to come to centres such as ours, as through this key provision we are able to reduce barriers, helping people to remain independent and to live connected and meaningful lives again.”

For more information on Guild Care’s day centre, call our Customer Services Team on 01903 327327.