For the past 10 years, Alsager Community Support (ACS) has been helping residents in Alsager - making their lives better.

Whether you need a bit of advice, or a helping hand, or a lift to the popular Lunch Club, ACS is here for you.

In this article, we speak to volunteer drivers for the Lunch Club at Alsager Civic - a service which is always looking for new drivers.

Every other Tuesday at around 11.30 am, Gloria, the Lunch Club's longest serving driver, collects Margaret, Jim and Jean from their homes in Alsager. 

The trio are going to the Lunch Club at Alsager Civic. At about 1 pm, Gloria will take them back to their homes after they've enjoyed a sociable time and a two course lunch with their fellow diners.

"I'll keep doing this for as long as I can," Gloria said. "Jim is sight impaired and Margaret has to use a walking frame now. They just couldn't get to Alsager Civic unaided and neither has any family living close by. 

"Half of those who attend the Lunch Club have transport now – a reflection of our aging population – I worry that if more volunteer drivers don't come forward then many more of the elderly in our town will become isolated.' 

A driver dropping one of the lunch club members off at Alsager Civic. (Photo: Alsager Community Support)

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Jean, one of Gloria's passengers was asked about the ACS transport arrangements. "For me, the transport to and from the Lunch Club is part of the experience," said Jean. 

"The drivers are always so caring and courteous. We always have a nice chat on the way to the Civic. It's not at all like an impersonal taxi ride. It's like being picked up by a friend and I look forward to chatting with the volunteer driver as much as chatting with my fellow diners at the Lunch Club."

Chris Ward, Volunteer Coordinator for Alsager Community Support said: "Ideally, we ask drivers like Gloria to drive for two Tuesdays or two Thursdays in each four week period. 

"That means giving a total of two x two hours of time. Our volunteers tell us they get so much back from their involvement and the only time we have had a driver withdraw is when they have lost confidence as they themselves have aged."

We hope these stories will highlight the impact of our work and the people behind it who make it happen.

YOU can make local lives better by……

• Spreading the word
•  
• Volunteering with us
•  
• Using our uniform recycling scheme
•  
• Giving a one-off donation or becoming a regular supporter

Contact us on 01270 876605, [email protected] or check out our new website to make a donation on https://www.alsagercommunitysupport.org.uk/

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Alsager Nub News is proud that Alsager Community Support (ACS) is a sponsor of our news service.

ACS's support helps us to deliver the high-quality journalism that Alsager deserves - no clickbait or intrusive ads, just the latest updates on what's happening in our town.

It is thanks to the generosity of organisations like ACS that we can continue our mission to revive local news, both in Alsager and across the UK.

ACS is more than just a Charity — it's a place where people come together to support each other and make a real difference." - follow this link here

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