Kildare Community Car Project shortlisted for National Age-Friendly Transport Award

All aboard the Kildare Community Car (but only if you absolutely need to use it, of course)!

The Kildare Community Car Project has been shortlisted for a National Age-Friendly Transport Award.

Members of both the Older Voices and Kildare Community Car teams have been invited to attend the Awards Ceremony in Galway this October, where the initiative will be recognised alongside other age-friendly projects which have been implemented across Ireland.

The Kildare Community Car was established in order to meet the needs of older people who can no longer drive or who are unable to use public transport.

According to a spokesperson for County Kildare Leader Partnership, the service offers "a compassionate, practical, and dependable door-to-door option, ensuring older people can continue to access healthcare, social supports, and community activities".

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They added: "The booking system is simple: clients call the office to arrange a time with Vicky, and drivers Con or Chris arrive at the door on the agreed date to bring them safely to their destination."

The spokesperson also claimed that during its first six-month pilot period, the Kildare Community Car:

• Travelled 7,854 kilometres
• Provided 243 journeys for 86 passengers
• Served 21 towns and villages across County Kildare
• Delivered people to 95 hospital appointments, 39 GP / primary care visits, 34 wellbeing services, as well as nursing home visits, trips to the Kildare Dementia Café, and essential grocery shopping

RESPONSE

The spokesperson asserted that the response from clients has been overwhelmingly positive.

"Many highlight the sense of independence, connection, and dignity that the service provides," they explained. "One client, for example, was able to regularly visit her husband in a nursing home until he passed away. Today, she continues to use the service to visit other residents, bringing comfort to others while finding purpose for herself."

In addition, Caroline Morrin, the co-ordinator for Older Voices Kildare, said about the nomination: "We are honoured to be recognised at a national level for a project that makes such a tangible difference in people’s lives."

Ms Morrin added: "The nomination is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in bringing this vision to life."

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