Wellingborough private hire cab staff trained and ready to help passengers with medical needs

The drivers have been trained to help those with autism, dementia and others who need extra assistance
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A Wellingborough private hire firm has used time freed up by lockdown to train drivers to start an assisted travel service for passengers with additional care needs.

Simply Cabs has diversified from airport transfers to provide bespoke transport for people needing a closer level of care than some taxi firms may be able or willing to provide.

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Many businesses including taxi and private hire companies have been suffering from the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic over the past year.

One Northants private hire firm has put its free time to good use by enrolling their drivers through online First Aid courses and Passenger Assistant Training Schemes to enable the business to offer a new ‘Assisted Travel’ service to the county.

Nick Finn, co-director said: "I want to care for people, to look after people. I want to put a smile on the clients and customers faces and I want to put a smile on the drivers' faces.

"I saw that there was a gap in the market."

Simply Cabs, based in Booth Drive on the Park Farm Industrial Estate, will be working closely with local authority, care homes, hospitals and charities to offer a door-to-door service to the elderly or anyone who may have mobility issues.

l-r Dhal Dhaliwal, Jo Desmond, Sarah Mae, Linda Breese and John Loasby.l-r Dhal Dhaliwal, Jo Desmond, Sarah Mae, Linda Breese and John Loasby.
l-r Dhal Dhaliwal, Jo Desmond, Sarah Mae, Linda Breese and John Loasby.
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Mr Finn said: "Trained drivers will safely assist passengers from their front door right to the waiting area of your appointment and even get them checked in.

"Once the appointment is over, they will collect passengers from the waiting area and take them home. If needed, they will also supply trained passenger assistants that can stay as travel companions throughout the whole day.

"Many older people who do not drive or are not in a position to travel alone using public transport must rely on family and friends to provide transportation.

"In other cases, there is huge pressure on care homes, social workers and families who have not always got the time or resources to take time away from work to get to appointments."

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To increase the scope of support they can provide, further training is already planned in this year for their drivers, including in mental health awareness, autism, cancer support and dementia awareness.

Driver Sarah Mae said: "As a driver there is no better feeling knowing you are helping people in the local community. It’s so rewarding for us drivers.

"We already carried out a lot of care work so it was a natural progression to take on the extra training to offer a complete door-to-door service for the elderly."

The company is now hoping to set up its own training scheme for drivers.

Mr Finn added: "We love the work we do. It is a lot more fulfilling and the drivers who come to us because of the work we do. We want to build and establish relationships."