Brentwood Community Transport could not operate without its team of dedicated volunteers. All our volunteers are subject to reference checking and a Disclosure and Barring Service Check.

We are always looking to recruit more volunteers; we can offer the opportunity to make a real difference to someone’s life by giving up just a few hours of your time a week and contribute to helping us transport our residents who are unable to access public transport. We are always looking for volunteer car drivers and volunteers to drive our minibuses. We provide training and will reimburse our car drivers 45p per mile

The reward is the smile you see on the passenger’s face – you then know you have made a difference!

The UK’s population is steadily ageing. The latest projections are for 5.5 million more older people in 20 years’ time and that that number will have nearly doubled to around 19 million by 2050. Within this total, the number of very old people grows even faster: there are currently 3 million people aged over 80 and this is projected to almost double by 2030 and reach 8 million by 2050.

Many older people are vulnerable to ‘social isolation’ and ‘loneliness’ due to loss of mobility, friends and family, and even income, this causes absence of contacts and interactions between older people and a social network. By enabling older people to venture out of their homes to attend social events, go shopping and visit family and friends, Brentwood Community Transport helps to reduce social isolation, loneliness and to maintain independence.

Researchers from University College London found that both social isolation and loneliness had a detrimental impact on a person’s quality of life and wellbeing. Further, they found that social isolation particularly, is associated with increased risk of health problems and mortality in older people. This negative impact on health leads to an increased demand from health and social care systems.

By enabling our vulnerable residents of Brentwood to venture out of their homes to attend social events, go shopping and visit family and friends, we help to reduce social isolation (and in turn, health problems and mortality).

From set up we have received donations and grants from members who use or have used our services:

Highwood League of friends
LV Insurance in Brentwood
Impex Management Foundation
Essex Community Foundation – Malcolm and Beryls Crook fund
General public with generous donations into our charity tins on our 808 service