Local Support

Community Drivers – Frome

If you live in a BA11 postcode, our friendly volunteer drivers provide lifts within Frome and beyond (Bristol, Bath, Shepton and Taunton).

There is a £5 admin fee per journey, plus a charge of 80p per mile. The charge is reduced to 40p per mile if you have a valid bus pass.

Visit the Community Drivers Frome website

Cycle Together Frome – A Green & Healthy Frome

Cycle Together is a series of free activities designed to help people in and around Frome cycle more. Offerings include cycle training for confidence, bike maintenance classes, and group rides to explore local routes. They also provide four-week e-bike loans.

Participating in Cycle Together will help you feel more confident and active. This initiative is supported by National Lottery funding as part of Green and Healthy Frome, promoting health for both individuals and the planet.

Visit the Cycle Together Frome website

Mendip Community Transport

Mendip Community Transport (MCT) is a charitable, not for profit organisation serving individuals and groups in the Mendip and Sedgemoor areas.

Our aim is to provide mobility solutions to those who woudl otherwise be isolated or disadvantaged as a result of not having access to other forms of transport.

Visit the Mendip Community Transport website

Link Volunteer Drivers

Covering Westwood, Winsley, Holt and Wingfield.

The Bradford-on-Avon service is a volunteer-run, county-wide initiative that helps individuals maintain their independence by providing transport to medical appointments, shopping, and prescription collection. While Link does not charge for their services, they appreciate client donations to cover driver costs.

To book a driver, please contact Link at least 2 working days in advance. Phones are answered Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:30am to 4:30pm.

07957 367 124

Patient Transport Advice Centre

If you’re going to a hospital for an appointment, tests or treatment, you’ll normally be expected to make your own way there. However, you may be eligible for transport under certain circumstances. You may be eligible for free non-emergency patient transport services (PTS). These services provide transport to and from hospital for people who have a medical need for it.

To find out if you’re eligible for PTS and how to access it, you’ll need to speak to your GP or the healthcare professional who referred you to hospital.

Visit the Patient Transport Advice Centre website

Route 60+ Road safety events for the senior driver

‘Route 60+’ is a free 60-minute presentation for senior drivers, focusing on how vehicles and driving skills evolve over time. Attendees receive a free hi-vis jacket, a copy of the highway code, and information on accredited driving instructors for additional support.

If your club or group is interested in a Route 60+ talk, please contact the Road Safety team for more details.

Visit the Somerset Road Safety website

The Ridings: Volunteer Driving Scheme

Volunteer Driving Scheme serving Norton St Philip, Hinton Charterhouse and Farleigh Hungerford. Donations appreciated.

07759 440749

Travelling in and around town

There are a host of different ways to travel to, from and around Frome, including the town’s Ebikes and the Co-wheels car share scheme.

Visit the Travelling in and around town website

Trowbridge Area Community Link Scheme

A good neighbour scheme supporting people in Trowbridge and surrounding villages, offering transport to medical appointments, health related groups and social clubs. Provides transport to enable visits to friends and family in hospital or a nursing home. Can also assist those who have mobility and other health problems to do their own shopping.

No charge is made for the assistance but the scheme relies on donations from clients to cover mileage allowance paid to the volunteers.

07969 347042

Wiltshire Transport Volunteer Service

Westbury & District Link volunteer transport service, contribution requested.

Booking line open Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm.

Visit the Wiltshire Transport Volunteer Service website

National Support

National Express Coachcards

Save on travel with National Express – Senior Coachcard (60 +), Disabled Coachcard and Young Persons Coachcard (16-26) give a third off Standard and Fully Flexible fares. Coachcard costs £15 a year plus postage.

Visit the National Express website

Motability Scheme

If you are disabled, you may be able to exchange your mobility allowance to get a vehicle that suits your needs. What’s more you don’t even need to drive. Family, friends or carers can drive on your behalf. The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair by exchanging their Government funded mobility allowance.

Visit the Motability Scheme website

Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme

It may be possible to claim back travel expenses to hospital appointments, if you are in receipt of certain benefits. You may be able to get financial help from the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme if you are on a low income  and need NHS treatment at a hospital or other NHS center or private clinic  and have been referred by a healthcare professional.

HTCS does not apply if you are visiting a GP or dentist for routine appointments, visiting others in hospital, visiting A&E or Minor Injury Units. Claims can be made to the individual hospitals.

Visit the Healthcare Travel Cost Scheme website

Driving and Mobility Centre

The Driving and Mobility Centre West of England can help disabled and older people keep mobile and independent, and help those affected by medical conditions stay safe on the road. We have an expert team of Occupational Therapists and Driving Advisors that undertake comprehensive assessments of ability to drive a vehicle safely and in comfort.

Visit the Driving and Mobility Centre website

Disabled Persons Railcard

You may be able to apply for a disabled person’s rail card, if you are in receipt of certain benefits, are visually or hearing impaired. Please see website for details, the card will allow you a third off rail travel and costs £20 a year.

Visit the Disabled Persons Railcard website

Concessionary Bus Pass

English National Concessionary Travel Scheme Passes are available for residents of Somerset who are of pensionable age or eligible on the grounds of disability. The pass allows you to travel free on buses in every area of England subject to certain time restrictions. Download application form online or contact Transporting Somerset who will post form.

Visit the Somerset Gov website

Blue Badge Scheme for disabled people

The Blue Badge Scheme provides national parking concessions for people with severe walking difficulties who travel as drivers or passengers. The scheme is also for people who are severely sight impaired. People who have a blue badge can park close to their destination in on-street parking and car parks. The form can either be filled in online or you can call Somerset County Council.

The cost of a blue badge is £10. The badge can only be used with the person who owns the badge in the car at the time of parking, as a photograph is used on the badge, for identification. Badges take approximately a month to arrive.

Visit the Somerset Gov website

Better by Bike

Cycling is quick, cheap and reliable. An environmentally friendly way to get around and stay healthy. Better By Bike offers all the resources you need to ride a bike for commuting, health, fitness and fun. Including, free loan bikes, adult cycle training and trip planning. Run by local councils.

Visit the Better by Bike website