Service at risk due to loss of funding!

Edenbridge Voluntary Transport Service (EVTS) plays a crucial role in the TN8 community, providing transport for residents to hospitals such as Pembury, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Queen Victoria, Tonbridge Cottage, East Surrey as well as Edenbridge Memorial Health Centre and dentists locally.

In November 2023, EVTS relocated from the old Edenbridge Memorial Hospital to the new Edenbridge Memorial Health Centre.

Our team of office volunteers are available to answer calls Monday to Friday between 10am -12.30pm

EVTS is funded through small local grants and passenger donations.  However, in recent years financial challenges, including the loss of a vital £4,000 annual grant from Kent County Council, and a reduction of passenger contributions, have placed the charity under strain.  Many journeys now cost us more to provide than passenger donations received.

In June 2024, nearly half of donations received fell short of the fuel expense paid to the voluntary drivers.  Demand for EVTS is higher than ever, with over 850 drives undertaken in the past year.

The community we serve are so far away from hospitals, and many of the residents who use our service would not be able to fund the cost of taxi services particularly those attending appointments frequently.

Also, access to hospital transport remains challenging for many, as eligibility is restricted to those with severe mobility issues, often requiring long wait times.  This reality highlights the importance of EVTS for elderly and seriously ill residents who lack viable alternatives.

For example, a round-trip taxi fare to Maidstone Hospital with waiting time charges can cost as much as £130, while EVTS requests a £30 contribution, saving residents £100 per trip.

A notable example of EVTS’s cost effective service was for a resident of TN8 who required daily hospital treatment for a month.  EVTS were able to provide transport each day, accommodating unpredictable appointment changes, including one instance where a driver waited for hours due to last-minute rescheduling by the hospital.  The passenger was able to contribute £25 per trip, totalling £575 for the month, compared to an estimated £2,990 in taxi fares.  This service, I am sure helped to alleviate a major financial and logistical strain, allowing them to focus on their recovery.

While EVTS has rarely had to decline a request, financial restraints threaten our sustainability after 40+ years of service.  To try and secure the charity’s future, we have begun major fundraising initiatives in the community, including:

  • Creating a “JustGiving” donation page.
  • Reaching out to local businesses for sponsorship or contributions including sponsorship opportunities on vehicle signage.
  • Expanding our outreach via social media, local publications, and community noticeboards.
  • Attended Love Edenbridge day raising £530.40p from our raffle.

EVTS’s mission is to ensure that medical transport is not an added worry for those facing health challenges.  Given the inaccessibility of major local hospitals via public transport, this service is more crucial than ever.

Recognising that customer donations alone are not sufficient, EVTS needs financial and volunteer support too.

Contributions, whether monetary or through volunteering as a driver or member of our office team, will help sustain this essential service for the Edenbridge community.

For more information, kindly contact me on manager@evts.org.uk

– Annie, Manager at EVTS