A vital transport service which has been relied on by hundreds of elderly Islanders for more than 20 years is facing closure, due to a lack of drivers.

The Optio car service is a membership service which sees volunteers use their own vehicles to take passengers to pre-booked destinations. 

This often includes medical appointments, but can also be for social engagements. 

Pre-covid pandemic, volunteer driver numbers were at 60 and memberships stood at around 450.

However, many of the regular volunteers have had to stop driving and have not returned to the service.

How to sign up to become a Optio driver

If you feel that you can offer your services and would like further information, please get in touch with Community Action Isle of Wight Optio service on 01983 522226.

Charity Community Action Isle of Wight, which runs the service, has said recruiting enough drivers to meet ongoing demand is proving a challenge.

Tina Clark, the Optio service manager, said: “Hundreds of people across the Island rely on volunteer drivers to help them get out and about and do everyday things that most of us take for granted.

"A simple trip to the doctor’s surgery or an important appointment at the hospital can be complicated, if not impossible, for some people without the support of a volunteer driver. 

"We rely on the generous support of our volunteer drivers to help us deliver this service but as numbers have diminished, we are finding it more and more challenging to keep running the service and fear this may be the last year we can provide this support.”

David Foulkes from Ryde, who has been a member since 2019 and who regularly uses the service, said: “Without this service I would really struggle to get to my appointments. Optio drivers are very obliging, always on time, reliable and friendly.”

Community Action IW is looking for around 15 to 20 more regular, volunteer drivers, even if they are only able to volunteer for a couple of trips a week.

Drivers based in Ventnor, Ryde, Newport and Bembridge are needed.

One or two are also needed elsewhere on the Island.