Give Us a Lift

WRVS is asking people across Great Britian not to leave older people stranded - Give Them a Lift! 

For most people getting where you need to go every day is as easy as jumping in the car, grabbing a bus or riding a bike. But, according to new research commissioned by older peoples charity WRVS, for a third of people over 65 in Britain, increasing to nearly half of people over 75, it’s not that simple. Without a decent bus service, a car or help with mobility problems, many older people are stuck at home. Thumbing a lift may be the only option for many but it’s not the answer. WRVS wants to make sure every older person in Britain can get where they want, when they want.


Having the ability to go shopping, meet friends and family and do a range of things most of us take for granted is vital for people to feel independent and in control of their life. Nearly three quarters of people over 65 say they’ve had to stop doing things they enjoy as they’ve got older. Nearly half of the people surveyed said one of the three most important improvements to quality of life would be a better range of transport services, ahead of better social services and financial advice.

WRVS has transport services in 100 communities, we’d like more but need volunteers and money to make it happen. We need more than 20 volunteers right now to be able to respond to every older person who phones up for a lift. With more volunteers we could help even more people get out and about and give older people a lift.

Interested in helping older people in your community? Visit giveusalift.org.uk or call our volunteer hotline on 0845 601 4670.