Categories
Community Wiltshire

Support for people who need transport to get to their Covid vaccination appointment

Local councillor Jon Hubbard is welcoming news that Wiltshire Council is making sure all residents are able to get to their COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

“We have had several people contacting us at Melksham Community Support asking about how they can get to their appointment” Jon commented, “but we cannot arrange transport for them. We had been passing on the details of the amazing volunteers who run the Link scheme, but knowing that Wiltshire Council will step in to help make sure someone can get access to the vaccination is really helpful.”

Jon has urged people to try to get to the Melksham vaccination centre at Spencers Social Club themselves but if they do need help and don’t have friends or family who can get them there then they should call Link on 07979 129052 and if they can’t help then call the Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub on 0300 003 4576.

Residents have the following options available to them:

  • their own vehicle, public transport or a private taxi
  • via family, friends or neighbours
  • the Link Schemes running across Wiltshire – you can contact the Melksham Community Link Scheme by calling 07979 129052
  • rescheduling their appointment to a different time and day when they do have access to transport
  • If none of the above are available, call the Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub

Start time restrictions on Wiltshire Council bus passes have been temporarily lifted, to help give people more opportunities to get to COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

The Link Schemes run by voluntary groups have made over 450 journeys helping our residents to their vaccinations so far. The services they provide are not free and request a donation be made instead.

If a resident has no alternative means to get to a vaccination appointment and has had no success with the above options, the council will support by providing access to a taxi. Residents can contact the Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub for further information.

The Wellbeing Hub team will complete a simple transport vaccination form and submit for action.

The day before the journey, one of the council’s co-ordinators will contact the resident to check some key COVID questions to ensure everyone’s safety and that the transport is safe to go ahead as planned.

Cllr Bridget Wayman, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “We want to make sure that everyone who has been offered an appointment for their vaccine doesn’t miss out.

“If people have considered all other options and are having trouble accessing transport to get to their appointments, we urge them to contact our wellbeing hub, who can help arrange transport if required.

“The vaccine is our way out of this, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need us.”

If any residents would like information on accessing support to get to their vaccine, they should contact the council’s Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub. People can get in touch with the hub via email at [email protected] or by calling 0300 003 4576. It’s available from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays.

By Jon Hubbard

Cllr Jon Hubbard is the Wiltshire and Town councillor for Melksham South. First elected in 2009 he now sits as an independent. Jon is very active in the local community and actively works across the town and wider community. He helped create and continues to Chair both Young Melksham, who provide youth services in the town, and Age Friendly Melksham, who work to try and prevent social isolation for people of all ages. On Wiltshire Council Jon currently chairs the Children's Select Committee and is also Chair of the Adoption West Scrutiny Panel.