Charity launches winter transport service to support older people across the city

11th October 2022

Local older peoples’ charity Sheffield Churches’ Council for Community Care (SCCCC) have launched their latest service to assist health professionals and isolated, vulnerable people to appointments across the city in adverse weather conditions.

Local older peoples’ charity Sheffield Churches’ Council for Community Care (SCCCC) have launched their latest service to assist health professionals and isolated, vulnerable people to appointments across the city in adverse weather conditions.

The charity knows all too well the impact bad weather has on providing care within the community with the recent flooding causing delays and cancellations for important health appointments. With the predicted increase in extreme weather coupled with the unforgiving terrain of Sheffield, reaching those patients in our communities will only become more of an issue over the coming years. 

Last year SCCCC were called on by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust to use their vehicles to transport staff and patients safely after bad weather hampered their efforts to reach cut off areas. 

Mark Storey SCCCC CEO said ‘’We came to the realisation that we needed to equip ourselves with a more suitable vehicle for this type of support. The use of a 4x4 would have allowed safe transportation for both staff and patients in all weather and emergency situations that require an off-road vehicle’’

Now after receiving funding from the South Yorkshire Integrated Care board for the vehicle the charity has held a launch event in the presence of His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Professor Dame Hilary Chapman DBE, Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Sioned –Mair Richards, Lady Mayoress, Cllr Jackie Satur, the Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Allan Billings and other specially invited guests from the NHS, Health services and Business from across the city. 

The specially adapted 4 x 4 all-terrain vehicle was launched alongside the charities first ever electric vehicle, a trike with carrier to allow SCCCC staff to deliver small pieces of mobility equipment locally, helping to reduce emissions and save on fuel costs for the charity. 

The event was sponsored by Whyy? Change a leading training provider in Sheffield, Raymond Byrne, CEO, who spoke at the event said; “We know that the strongest organisations are based on shared values. Since working with SCCCC, I see every week how our attitude to our clients is very similar and focused on people. We value being a part of the community and when the opportunity came to support SCCCC, it was an immediate YES. As a charity they are professional, innovative and outcome driven and their passion to do good work quietly shows their true character.”

But the all-terrain vehicle isn’t just for winter and will be used throughout the year to help support the 5,000 older, isolated and vulnerable people the charity helps each year. 

Head to their website: www.scccc.co.uk to find out more about their services.