Community Cabs to provide lifeline for Leeds disabled residents

Health for all logoA new ‘Community Cabs’ scheme will soon be helping disabled residents in Leeds get around the city much more easily.

Middleton-based community development organisation Health For All is starting a Community Cabs service, which offers an accessible car to carry a wheelchair passenger – and a couple of friends, colleagues and carers – to destinations of their choice.

The pilot cab service will complement Health For All’s fleet of fully accessible minibuses which already provide a lifeline to hundreds of local school children, community groups, adults with learning difficulties and elderly social groups each week.

Heath For All community transport manager Norman Mann said:

“The idea for Community Cabs came from our users. Rather than have to hire a whole minibus to transport them they wanted something a bit smaller and more personal.

“It’s a great way for people with disabilities to get out and about, access services, go to the doctors’ , hospital visits or appointments or do their shopping etc – normal day to day stuff which may otherwise prove difficult.”

Health For All Chief Executive Pat McGeever added:

There’s increasing recognition that social isolation is really bad for people’s health – both physical and mental.

“As ever, Health for All wants to make it easier for people to access the services that improve people’s wellbeing, so this initiative is a great step towards that. It’s well known that volunteering is great for your health – so that’s a good reason to join us and be part of this great initiative!”

Community Cabs will start on April 1 and Mr Mann is recruiting volunteer car drivers from the local community to help deliver the service.

Mr Mann added:

“If you have a clean driving licence and have time to spare, why not give something back to your community and volunteer to be a driver? All out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed. It’s a chance to meet new people, visit new places and make new friends.”

The low-cost pilot service will be charging a booking fee and there will be a small mileage charge for members. A small annual membership fee allows members to access all transport supplied by HFA.

To volunteer or for more details on Community Cabs contact Norman Mann on 0113 2725151. A form to volunteer for the scheme is also available at www.healthforall.org.uk.