About our Service
Bradford on Avon & District Link Scheme is a volunteer-led service which offers door-to-door transportation to medical appointments for people who cannot access public or private transport.
What does Link do?
Bradford on Avon and District Link Scheme is a voluntary group which offers transport to medical appointments for local people who cannot get there without help. This may be because they are frail, or disabled, or perhaps temporarily in need because of illness, and unable to use public transport. Our service covers the areas of Bradford on Avon, Holt, Winsley, Monkton Farleigh, Westwood, Wingfield and South Wraxall in Wiltshire.
‘Link’ is the name adopted by Good Neighbour schemes in Wiltshire and Swindon. Link Schemes have existed in Wiltshire since 1979. There are currently 43 schemes in the county supporting rural and urban communities.
Link Schemes aim to complement other services, statutory and voluntary, and clients will be directed to another service if appropriate. Link Schemes operate as small, independent charitable organisations.
Each local Link Scheme has a team of volunteer drivers (using their own cars) and a team of Link Coordinators who act as the main point of contact for people wishing to use the service. The Co-ordinator receives a request on the phone for transport (from a member of the public, who becomes a client), and they then try to find a volunteer to carry out the journey
Clients who travel with their local Link Scheme can make an anonymous, voluntary donation to support the running costs of Link.
All Link Schemes in Wiltshire and Swindon are committed to ensuring the safety of passengers, service users and volunteers. This includes an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for all volunteers as well as checks to ensure volunteer drivers have a full UK driving license and that vehicles used to carry passengers are roadworthy and insured.
07957 367124
9.30am – 4.30pm
If you need help with transport to a medical appointment, please call us on the telephone number above.
The phone line is available from 9.30am – 4.30pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (except bank holidays). At all other times, or if our Co-ordinator is busy with another call, please leave a message on the telephone answering machine.
Please note, our service is dependent on driver availability, and we may need to prioritise the most vulnerable in our community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bradford on Avon & District Link Scheme?
Bradford on Avon and District Link Scheme is a volunteer-led service for people in the Bradford on Avon area who need help with transport to medical appointments. If you need transport, please call us on 07957 367124 to speak to the Link Co-ordinator.
Our telephone line is open between 9.30am – 4.30pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (except Bank Holidays).
What areas do you cover?
We cover the areas of Bradford on Avon, Holt, Winsley, Monkton Farleigh, Westwood, Wingfield and South Wraxall in Wiltshire. We take local people to local medical appointments. We also travel further afield, taking people to hospital appointments, e.g. Bath Royal United Hospital.
Other Link Schemes
There are 43 Link Schemes across Wiltshire and Swindon. If you live outside the area covered by our service, please visit the Community First Link Schemes and Community Transport Directory to find your local transport service.
Is there a cost to use your service?
There is no set charge for our service, but we do invite clients to make a donation towards the cost of providing the service. Cash donations can be left in the envelope given to you by your driver. If you have travelled with us and would like to donate please get in touch and we will send you our bank details.
A mileage allowance is paid to our volunteer drivers. We also have telephone and other administrative expenses. We could not continue to operate without the donations that we receive from clients.
How can I book transport?
To arrange transport, please call 07957 367124 to speak to the Link Co-ordinator. You can make a call for yourself or on behalf of someone else. Please give as much notice as possible.
Our telephone line is operational Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm (except Bank Holidays). At all other times, or if our Co-ordinator is busy with another call, please leave a message on the answering machine.
Are you looking for volunteers?
Yes! Bradford on Avon & District Link Scheme could not operate without the support of our wonderful volunteer drivers, committee members and Co-ordinators.
To find out more about volunteering with LINK, please visit our volunteering page or make a quick and easy volunteer enquiry.
Is the service only for medical trips?
The Bradford on Avon & District Link Scheme is for medical appointments for those most in need in our community. We may be able to offer transport for people visiting a loved one receiving care or a trip to a local support service (such as a dementia cafe), depending on volunteer availability.
How can I make a complaint?
If for any reason you are dissatisfied with the service provided by Bradford on Avon and District Link Scheme, we have a complaints procedure with further information about how to make a complaint.
Can anyone in your area use the service?
Bradford on Avon & District Link Scheme provides transport support to people who are unable to access public or private transport. This might be because they are frail, elderly, disabled or unwell. Each request will be considered by the Link Co-ordinator, and any request accepted is subject to volunteer availability.
We can provide assistance to people who are fully mobile (including those who use a wheeled walker, crutch/walking stick or Zimmerframe). We recommend that clients who use a wheelchair contact the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service, which has specially adapted vehicles for wheelchairs.
We cannot provide transport for children due to car seat legislation.
Patients with a cognitive impairment may require a chaperone.
