DRIVING up attendances at Haslewey Community Centre in Wey Hill is its brand new community car.

Thanks to a substantial donation from an anonymous local philanthropist and support from Haslemere’s Kia Proven Motors, in-house transport is now on hand to ensure people struggling with isolation can enjoy meeting up with others and maybe learning new skills.

Manager Kerry Morren Jeffs said. “Since the launch of the new community meals service in January, Haslewey has been pro-active in addressing the issue of isolation through a community care line,

“The community car allows us to go one step further in combating these issues and enables Haslewey to bring people to the centre to participate in activities whilst enjoying the same quality meal they would have normally received in their home.

“The community meals service, which replaced Meals on Wheels, has been an extremely rewarding and successful addition to the services we offer.

“Recipients feel a real connection to Haslewey, both through the quality of the food, which is cooked on the premises and delivered within an hour of packing, and by being encouraged to discuss menus, likes and dislikes.

“We have made the service extremely flexible because we want to enable people to make their own choices and not feel their independence is being threatened.

“Recipients can also use the service short term after a hospital visit, and a couple of times a week, as well as every day.

“We feel incredibly thankful to this amazing local philanthropist in allowing us to work with Kia Proven and take ownership of the new community car, it will prove invaluable - adding another unique service to the Haslewey umbrella of care and support already on offer.

“The car is essentially there to bring people wishing to have lunch or use one of the many activities or clubs at Haslewey, such as bingo, knit and natter and Tai Chi.

“There is no fixed charge for the service, however, as it is non-grant funded, charity donations towards running costs will always be gratefully received.”

• For more information go to: www. haslewey.org or call (01428) 648716.