9^th April 2020

DANSA Community Transport gears up to support local communities in Neath and Swansea during Coronavirus lockdown

Community transport provider offering deliveries and transport for vulnerable and elderly

Community transport provider DANSA is offering support to elderly and vulnerable peoplein rural areas of Neath Port Talbot and Swansea during the Coronavirus lockdown. 

The community transport provider, based in Crynant, usually provides accessible, door-to-door transport for people of all ages who find it difficult or impossible to access conventional public transport. With the public now being advised against all non-urgent travel, and the over 70s advised to self-isolate to reduce their infection risk, DANSA has stepped up to provide vital community support. 

The team at DANSA has set up a food delivery service for vulnerable people, with meals freshly cooked at their community café and delivered safely to the doorstep by dedicated drivers and volunteers. The team is also offering essential shopping deliveries, which need to be pre-ordered. Supplies are all delivered while adhering to the Government’s social distancing guidelines.

These delivery services are being made available to anybody in Dulais Valley free of charge, for the duration of the crisis. 

DANSA’s Business Development Manager Jeff Davies said:

“We know that this is a frightening, isolating time for many people, particularly those with limited mobility or support networks. Whether it’s delivering hot food or vital supplies, we are pulling out all the stops to help as many people as we can as quickly as we can.

“This is a time for everybody in the community to pull together and do what they can, and we are determined to do our bit. By using our vehicles to get vital supplies and home-cooked meals to people, we hope to help those people who can’t access transport and perhaps don’t have a support network.”

Commenting on Dial-A-Ride’s efforts, Director of the Community Transport Association in Wales Christine Boston said:

“This is a fantastic example of the community transport sector rising to the challenge of the Coronavirus crisis through innovation, generosity and resilience. We are so inspired by the way DANSA has stepped in to meet the needs of local communities, demonstrating its commitment to the people it was established to serve.”

Jeff Davies continued:

“I would encourage anybody that needs help or is worried about a neighbour or relative to contact us on 01639 751067 or visit our website at www.dansa.org.uk and we will do all we can to help. We want to reassure people that nobody has to face this situation alone.”

ENDS

Caption, L-R: 

Jeff Davies, Colette Tay, Susan Evans, Millicent Thomas, Leah Morgan of DANSA.

For further information, please contact Sara Robinson on sara@sararobinsoncomms.co.uk or 07720 634537.