New community transport service for medical appts
We're really excited and we've had an incredible response from the community, both in terms of volunteers and also people asking for the service and just expressing gratitude for [it],"
A NEW arm of Abraham’s Tent has been launched to provide complimentary rides to and from medical appointments in the eastern suburbs.
The new transport service aims to ease the burden of attending medical appointments and procedures, by pairing people with a volunteer driver who will pick them up from their home and drop them at their appointment. Rides can be booked at least 24 hours in advance. “It’s just so much more personal than, say, an Uber,” co-founder of Abraham’s Tent Sorella Abrahams told The AJN.
“It obviously saves people a lot of money, but it also really gives much more support than just being taken by a random stranger … It feels much better for people when they’re being supported by a fellow community member.
“Our volunteers are all really warm, friendly and positive, and it can really change your mind frame when you have somebody like that driving you to your appointments.”
The transport service also aims to take strain off children and carers.
“We’ve just had somebody who called me in tears to say that both her parents are unwell, and she’s got little kids herself, and it’s been such a stress [for her], and just having this kind of service will make her life so much easier,” Abrahams said.
Abraham’s Tent is currently looking for a sponsor for the purchase of a disability vehicle, which would enable the organisation to offer disability assistance for those who are disabled or require extra support.
“We’re really excited and we’ve had an incredible response from the community, both in terms of volunteers and also people asking for the service and just expressing gratitude for [it],” Abrahams said.
“We knew it was much needed, but we’re still really happy about how much it resonates with the community and how much people are sharing it.”
Abraham’s Tent is a not-for-profit community initiative that supports families of patients in and around Prince of Wales Hospital at Randwick.
Book a ride with Abraham’s Tent at http://abrahamstent.org.au/ride or volunteer as a driver at abrahamstent.org.au/drive.
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