TWO Yate-based companies aiding members in the community are combining their efforts to support each other after one received a grant from local council.

Green Community Travel and Shopmobility have worked together for years with GCT enables people to access Shopmobility that is based in Yate Library meaning that people can use a mobility scooter to access the local shopping centre.

Both are services that aim to reduce social isolation and loneliness and give people independence and make sure they can access their local community.

Recently Shopmobility were awarded a grant from OneYou South Gloucestershire to cover the cost of an advert on two of Green Community Travel’s vehicles. As the vehicles travel around Yate, Chipping Sodbury and the surrounding areas it will advertise Shopmobility’s valuable service.

Jenny Bright, manager at Green Community Travel said: “The joint service allows our passengers who do not have a mobility scooter to increases their independence as they can get door to door transport to the local shops and access the whole shopping centre. We’re really pleased we can advertise this valuable service to our local community, both companies reduce social isolation and loneliness and enable people to retain their independence. “

Sheridan Crew Project Manager at Shopmobility added: ''Green Community Transport (GCT) provides an invaluable service by transporting people including those with a disability that enables access to our service and other activities that enhance social engagement. Shopmobility recognises that community transport are able to bring people living in rural areas to our service which may be for those without access to a car or public transport. Both GCT and Shopmobility mutually address significant barriers to transport and wider travel faced by those with a disability that would otherwise not be possible by other modes of transport.

The pandemic has highlighted the significant impact on mental health from social isolation during the months of lockdown. The experience of social isolation may be comparatively much greater for those confined to their home, not by lockdown but by virtue of ill health or where they live’’.

Shopmobility are currently open from 9.30am-4pm on a Tuesday and Friday between 9.30am-4pm but will also include Thursdays from October between 09.30 and 4pm. You can contact them on either 01454 868718 or 07999 574474

Green Community Travel operate 5 days a week Mon- Fri 07:30am-5:00pm, and you can contact them on 01454 228706.