The new Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Helena Herklots CBE, has continued her programme of engagement with older people and stakeholders across Wales with a visit to meet passengers on the Green Dragon dial-a-ride service in Haverfordwest.

The Commissioner rode Green Dragon’s Town Rider service to meet older people and talk with them about the difference that easily accessible community transport makes to their lives.

The service provides older people with door-to-door transport, which helps them to get out and about so they can access medical appointments, community services, social clubs and shops.

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Helena Herklots CBE, said: “It was a pleasure to spend my second day as Commissioner in Pembrokeshire, to hear directly from older people about how they use the Green Dragon services and the positive difference it makes to their lives.

“This hugely valued service not only helps to older people across the county to maintain their health, well-being and independence, but also allows them to meet new people and form new social relationships.

“Services like Green Dragon demonstrate why community transport is so important to older people across Wales.”

Green Dragon has been delivering accessible community transport across Pembrokeshire since it was established in 2002 and carries around 300 passengers every week. Caroline Wilson, who manages Green Dragon, said:

“Community transport is a lifeline to so many of our passengers. The age range of users is immense with many aged over 90! The dial a ride services help them get out of their homes to access services, shopping, meet friends and prevents the feeling of isolation, thereby improving their wellbeing.

“For some passengers using our service is the only thing that gets them out of their home each week. The drivers are totally amazing, they work so hard, helping each and every passenger in some way or other.

“Some passengers have help carrying their shopping in doors from the minibus, others just enjoy a chat as they travel around. They tell us how lucky they are living in this area with such amazing services and would not want to lose it. We in the Green Dragon Office just have to work hard keeping it all going with the threats of limited funding and legislation.”

During the visit the Commissioner also met with the Pembrokeshire Association of Community Transport Organisations (PACTO) at County Hall to find out more about the services they support and the issues and challenges being faced by community transport providers.

Debbie Johnson, PACTO’s Community Transport Development Officer, said: “Transport is such an important issue for older people in Pembrokeshire and across Wales. For many older people, community transport services make the difference between being able to get out of the house independently or not.

“We are proud of the dedicated volunteers, drivers, bus buddies and community transport services we have in Pembrokeshire, and it was great to see the Commissioner taking the time to visit our services and understand the pressure we face as she takes on this new role.”