Welcome to Norwich Door to Door
The rolling pictures above refer to: 1. Pupils from Parker House at Norwich School who helped to contribute to the purchase of our last new bus; 2. The ladies who visit the Belvedere Day Care Centre; 3. One of last years special trip out to The Waterside at Rollesby Broad; 4. Norwich Door to Door founder and passenger, Roger Hadley, singing with Norwich Community Choir; 5. Driver Philip and Passenger Assistant Linda assisting a passenger onto one of our buses; 6. Passenger Assistant Graham assisting our passenger; 7. Passenger Assistant Graham operating the lift on one of our buses; 8. Three passengers on one of our buses; 8. Driver John and a passenger from the Belevedere.Who we are
We are a caring and welfare charity. We formed in 1992 to enable the social inclusion and enhance the well being and life experience of severely disabled children, adults and older people with severe mobility problems. We offer a Dial-a-Ride service for people who are on low income, who need extra help and a friendly hand to be able to get out and about independently. For our passengers and their carers transport is the key to freedom and autonomy and there is the added assurance of the safety and security of a door to door service.
Our passengers tell us they want to be able to choose when they travel. They want to be able to plan days when they feel well and have access to support that empowers them. They want to make their own contribution to their own society in their own way.
How do we do it
We operate a fleet of seven mobility buses all equipped with “to the ground” front of bus steps, passenger lifts big enough for wheelchairs, walking aids and scooters. Each bus operates with a two person crew who receive accredited training for operating mini buses suitable for the safe carriage of people travelling in their wheelchairs.
To contribute to our budget in today’s more austere funding environment, we have secured contracts to transport disabled children to special and mainstream schools. In addition, our passengers make a contribution toward the cost of their transport. We balance our needs though applying for grant funding both locally and nationally, and by our events. We are in receipt of grant funding through Norfolk County Council Passenger Transport, Norwich City Council, Broadland District Council and South Norfolk District Council.
How we change lives
Our service enables our passengers to connect with their communities, experience an enhanced state of well being and sense relief from the feeling of isolation and depression of spirit. There has been much research already done by august bodies like the British Medical Association and Leonard Cheshire Disability on the importance of social inclusion for a sense of well being. We also regularly organise our own surveys on passengers experience and wishes. Last year, in keeping with current thinking, we undertook our first Social Impact Report attached.
Watch our DVD about of service including interviews with our Chief Executive, volunteers and passengers
“The biggest change for me in my lifetime as a disabled person has been to have access to a proper regular transport system” Roger travels with us to go for his weekly singing sessions with Norwich Community choir; “ singing gives me a real boost it’s changed my life and I have made new friends.”
“Taking me to the library makes my world tick all week” Margaret
“I don’t know what I would do without you, it is wonderful for my wife and I to be able to go out together again after a year stuck indoors” John
“I do so appreciate your getting me to the supermarket before you helped me I found shopping so difficult as my daughter lives in the country and works and I could not plan ahead” Jean
Registered as an Industrial and Provident Society for the Benefit of the Community 27814R, a Charity Registered with the Inland Revenue X0969/93
