Having a minibus service which would allow members of the group to have an afternoon / day out would help support people with dementia and their carers by giving opportunities to have a break from regular routine. There are a number of events across North Ayrshire which would be more easily accessible if the transport was available.
I run Dementia Connect Carers Group (North Ayrshire). A minibus service would allow us to offer: regular day trips including longer ones involving an overnight stay. A weekly shopping trip for those who would otherwise find it difficult to get out.
A dedicated dementia service that would serve as an outreach programme connecting dementia carers and their loved ones with various dementia activities and events throughout Ayrshire. Carers could get respite to attend carers events whilst the minibus with loved ones go for a trip.
Using a minibus in itself becomes an event whereby carers and loved ones come together and bond in a different way as a group. A community within a community.
We currently have used this service on multiple occasions organising day trips to local tourist places, museums and beauty spots, we are an over 50s charity that works across North Ayrshire and have organised trips to Culzean castle, the Burrell collection, local garden centres, Dumfries house for example. We have opened these minibus trips up to people from Millport and Arran as well as Largs, Beith, Irvine and the 3 towns. We have also had 3 volunteers and a staff member trained by this organisation as MIDAS drivers and we particularly like their accessibility credentials allowing infirm or disable older people access community transport.
Having a minibus service which would allow members of the group to have an afternoon / day out would help support people with dementia and their carers by giving opportunities to have a break from regular routine. There are a number of events across North Ayrshire which would be more easily accessible if the transport was available.
I run Dementia Connect Carers Group (North Ayrshire). A minibus service would allow us to offer: regular day trips including longer ones involving an overnight stay. A weekly shopping trip for those who would otherwise find it difficult to get out.
A dedicated dementia service that would serve as an outreach programme connecting dementia carers and their loved ones with various dementia activities and events throughout Ayrshire. Carers could get respite to attend carers events whilst the minibus with loved ones go for a trip.
Using a minibus in itself becomes an event whereby carers and loved ones come together and bond in a different way as a group. A community within a community.
We currently have used this service on multiple occasions organising day trips to local tourist places, museums and beauty spots, we are an over 50s charity that works across North Ayrshire and have organised trips to Culzean castle, the Burrell collection, local garden centres, Dumfries house for example. We have opened these minibus trips up to people from Millport and Arran as well as Largs, Beith, Irvine and the 3 towns. We have also had 3 volunteers and a staff member trained by this organisation as MIDAS drivers and we particularly like their accessibility credentials allowing infirm or disable older people access community transport.