Volunteer drivers are getting their turn in the spotlight after helping a charity clock up more than 900 medical car journeys in a year.
Sidmouth Voluntary Services (SVS) is celebrating the drivers, helpers and staff who keep people across the Sid Valley connected as part of Community Transport Week.
The charity is also highlighting challenges facing the sector, including driver recruitment, licensing, funding and rising costs.
Community Transport Week, led by the Community Transport Association, runs from October 12 to 16, 2026. This year’s theme is Driving Communities Forward.
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SVS provides accessible minibuses for people in Sidmouth and the surrounding area to reach its weekday lunch club, visit supermarkets and enjoy social outings. Its volunteer community car scheme takes clients to medical and dental appointments.
Last year, the charity carried out more than 900 medical car journeys, visiting hospitals across the county, delivered more than 4,000 meals and ran four shopping buses a week.
Its minibus also took clients on outings to National Trust properties, Dartmoor, Bridport and Lyme Regis.
Derek Price, chair of SVS, said: “Community Transport Week is a chance to celebrate the people who keep our communities moving.”
He continued: “At SVS, our volunteers and staff do far more than help people get from A to B. They help people stay connected, access essential services, continue independent living and remain part of community life.”
Derek added: “This year’s theme, Driving Communities Forward, reflects what community transport is all about. Every journey makes a difference.”
The charity is using the week to draw attention to the support community transport organisations need.
Derek said: “To keep driving communities forward, Community Transport Organisations need the right support. Driver recruitment, licensing, funding and rising costs are real challenges for many organisations like ours.”
SVS also invited its transport volunteers for coffee and refreshments at Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary to thank them for their support.
The refreshments were funded by a donation from one of the charity’s clients, Christine, who wanted to show appreciation for the volunteers.
The charity relies heavily on volunteer drivers and helpers to support medical and dental journeys, lunch club visits, meal deliveries and social outings.
Representatives from other charities and organisations in Sidmouth have been invited to join clients for lunch at Twyford House as part of the week.
The visit offers an opportunity to meet staff, volunteers, drivers and passengers, learn about SVS’s services and see how community transport helps people remain independent and connected.
For more information, visit the charity’s website or call 01395 515063.
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