Innovative transport scheme helps Shropshire carers
An innovative Shropshire transport scheme has expanded to help county people who want to start a career in care work.
Wheels 2 Work, an award-winning charity project run by Shropshire Rural Community Council, has launched the new range of transport.
The ‘Wheels 4 Care Workers’ initiative will provide a range of services including car health checks, vehicle repair grants and moped loans, all aimed at those who need transport help to work in the care sector.
“Getting into work can be difficult and expensive – especially for domiciliary workers who need to travel from home to home often at unsociable hours and for low pay,” explained scheme co-ordinator Davina Allen.
“Many of Shropshire’s care homes are in rural locations and staff need transport to get to work and to take residents out on trips so we hope that this extension of our very successful Wheels 2 Work scheme will be a real boost for them.
“It has already helped several local people get started with their careers in care and we’re hoping to assist many more in the coming months. It’s great to be able to support people who do such valuable jobs and we want to ensure that transport is not a barrier to people starting or keeping work.”
Emma O’Toole, who moved to Coton Hill in Shrewsbury from Scotland and was initially without work, was loaned a moped by the scheme, enabling her to take up employment as a home carer and later go on to buy a car.
Emma said: “Without Wheels 2 Work I would never have got my current job as a home carer. I have now gained experience in a role that has enabled me to apply to become a nurse.”
