“Providing a lift where there wasn’t one before.”

This Challenge Poverty Week (CPW), our team at CVS Falkirk is highlighting the efforts of our local third sector and communities in tackling poverty across the Falkirk District.

CPW Background and Themes

Challenge Poverty Week was launched by the Poverty Alliance in 2013, as a way to draw attention to the injustice of poverty in Scotland, and show that collective action, based on justice and compassion, can create solutions. For the campaign’s 10th year, the Poverty Alliance has announced different themes for each day of the campaign week, which we believe offer the perfect opportunity to spotlight the efforts of the third sector:

Monday 2^nd October: Communities & Volunteers
Tuesday 3^rd October: Housing
Wednesday 4^th October: Adequate Incomes
Thursday 5^th October: Transport
Friday 6^th October: Food
Saturday 7^th October and Sunday 8^th October: Reflection

Thursday 5^th October: Transport

Today’s theme looks at Transport; CPW aims to help create a Scotland where we can all get to where we need to go, recognising the impact that transport costs – including fuel costs, vehicle maintenance and insurance, and public transport – can have on everything from childcare options, employability, and even isolation, mental wellbeing, and physical health.

The cost of getting to cancer appointments, and kidney dialysis, on public transport can quickly add up. One of today’s featured groups, The Driving Force, can take patients and a friend or relative to all of their appointments for FREE, whatever their income, as long as they are registered with a GP in Bonnybridge, Denny or Banknock.

In doing so, they ensure that everyone can attend these essential appointments, and no one suffers if public transport costs are unaffordable for them. By offering this service for everyone, regardless of their circumstances, The Driving Force guarantees dignified access to health services during some of the most vulnerable times in a person’s life.

Hear about their services and their impact in their own words, via the video below (also available on Vimeo):