Beverley Community Lift Needs You!

Local charity Beverley Community Lift provides a crucial service to the most isolated members of our community. Whether they are unable to get out due to disability, geography or old age; whatever the circumstance BCL are on hand (or wheels) in order to ensure locals get out and about.

Reliant on generous volunteers to transport people to important medical appointments, take them shopping or aid them in visiting a friend, the service is vital to many, whom, without it would be stranded, cut off from human interaction and unable to perform essential day-day tasks. 

The charity also run a number of mini buses which run shopping trips to Morrisons – this ensures people can do their weekly food shop and also have a natter and a cuppa in the on-site cafe. Outings around the year are also organised; trips to museums, restaurants and country parks. The mini buses are an essential service – linking isolated people together and forging lasting friendships.

Recent studies into chronic loneliness have revealed a worrying number of elderly and isolated members of the community are suffering debilitating health problems linked directly to their seclusion. The effects of what is being called a "loneliness epidemic" are shocking, with sufferers experiencing detrimental health defects as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day or other chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Around 1.1 million elderly people are believed to be affected.

A passenger of BCL, JW said that: "It’s lovely to be greeted by such lovely people in the morning when they come to collect you for
your appointment. I’m very lonely since my partner passed away and I feel cut off in a rural village without transport. I really like the fact that someone cares about me. Thank you for your kindness."

In the forthcoming Christmas period, seeing others surrounded by family can feel especially lonely. Now, the service is needed more than ever. 

The charity has provided over 30,000 passenger journeys in the past year. Yet cuts to government funding and increasingly stricter transport laws means BCL's long term future is under threat. One of their minibuses 'Winnie' – who is  now 10 years old – is in dire need of some maintenance.

So far BCL have raised 20k but are still 30k off their 50k goal.

Due to government failures, it is time to take matters into our own hands. There are multiple ways which you or your business can get involved:

Beverley Community Lift have a website via which you can donate: www.bclift.org.uk

They also have a charity shop on Sow Hill Road, right next to the bus station, and welcome any donations or purchases.

Alternatively you can volunteer, TEL 01482 868082 – with entirely flexible hours and full training given.

BCL also welcome any suggestions for fundraisers and sponsorship. 

Contact Jan Stainforth, CEO, in order to give your support via email: manager@bclift.org.uk