Bridges Community Car Scheme and their Volunteer Drivers were lucky enough to be guests at the historic National Trust site, Tredegar House in Newport. 

The car scheme which operates with volunteer drivers across Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent supports people (generally over the age of 65) to get out and about around the county by offering a friendly, flexible, door to door transport service for those that need additional support or face barriers in accessing public transport. 

The aim is to reduce isolation and improve the passengers Health and Wellbeing by getting them out to local facilities, shops, social activities, visits to friends and family and even medical appointments.

The scheme, which is a vital link to the community, relies on a network of volunteer drivers who use their own vehicles to facilitate these journeys. 

As a thank you to this dedicated team of volunteer drivers, the Community Car Scheme staff collaborated with Tredegar House who amazingly gifted them with a tour of the house and gardens to show their appreciation to this incredible group of volunteers who make such a difference to their local communities.

Our guide for the day was Emily, House Manager, who along with their own team of volunteers positioned throughout the house, provided first rate, interesting and entertaining facts that kept the whole group engaged, this was followed by homemade cakes and refreshments and allowed time for everyone to chat and mingle.

Thank you to everyone at Tredegar House for their generosity and kindness. Not only was the whole experience thoroughly enjoyable, many of us extended their visit by taking in more of the gardens and browsing the fabulous second hand book store and other small businesses including Isca Woodcrafts and Busy Bees Patchwork.

Bridges are always looking for volunteer drivers across the Monmouthshire County and Blaenau Gwent, if you would like to join this wonderful team and have any amount of free time whether that is a couple of hours a week or once every six months they would love to hear from you on 01600 228787