The community car service in Langham is operated by the Royal Voluntary Service and its drivers are all RVS volunteers. In 2013 RVS celebrated 75 years and changed its name from Women’s Royal Voluntary Service.
Our service is a member of the Norfolk Community Transport Association (N.C.T. A) and the co-ordinator, Nicky Stevenson at County Hall is in regular contact with news of events and meetings that may be of interest to us. NCTA has also provided us with a driver’s handbook which has been very beneficial.
Our service is essentially available to take people to and from medically associated appointments where there is a gap in the public transport service or an inability to use it, due to frailty or mobility restrictions. Other destinations are at our discretion.
Ideally we should have 13 drivers on the roster but currently we have only ten places filled which has necessitated extra duties to be carried out. Drivers volunteer to drive their own car for this service, for one week in each roster of three months and are reimbursed 45p per mile. The service user pays 25p per mile and the North Norfolk District Council subsidise this payment by 20p per mile. If anyone is interested in joining the service do please get in touch with Ann Sheriff.
A current car roster can be viewed on the village notice board and in the church porch and is also published in the Local Lynx. Last year, the cost of administration for the Langham project was £35.11 (£51.95). With a diminishing government grant RVS are having to do a lot of fundraising to cover their own costs. They are therefore very grateful for the continued support of Langham Parish Council with their annual donation.