A BUS purchased through a community fundraising campaign is proving its worth a year on.
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Residents at Terang and Mortlake Health Services (TMHS) Mount View Aged Care Facility have been the benefactors of the communal vehicle.
The bus was listed as a priority acquisition after a survey of carers and residents at Mount View in 2014 showed access to transport to keep in touch with the community was poor.
Staff put forward a proposal to a number of community groups to entice them on board to fund-raise for a bus.
This call was heeded with the $55,000 needed for the bus collected by the start of 2016. The positive impact of the bus came through in a carers and residents survey at the end of last year.
While the 2014 survey had shown 34 per cent thought transport access was poor, the final survey for 2016 had 92.84 per cent rating transport access as excellent.
TMHS director of nursing Jane Fitzgibbon said the bus has become an invaluable asset.
“It has been really well used, over the first 12 months we have had 41 outings on the bus,” Ms Fitzgibbon said.
“The residents love the chance to get out and go for a drive around the countryside. It is terrific for their well-being, it brings back a lot of nice memories.
“The bus can also take them to social events, things like going to the Men’s Shed. And of course it is very handy taking residents to appointments.
“The bus also has wheelchair access which makes it even more functional.
“It is great to see after the efforts of the community to raise the money for the bus that it is being used so much.”
TMHS chief executive officer Margaret White said residents enjoy reconnecting with the community.
Ms White said the community is still heavily involved in the every day function of the bus.
“A big thank you must go to the leisure and lifestyle staff and all the other staff and the volunteer drivers who make it all happen,” Ms White said.
“At Christmas, a family was very appreciative when their loved one could be transported comfortably and safely to enjoy the day with relatives at home.”