Greenwich Hospital has awarded Scottish charity Fares4Free (F4F) a grant of £119,936 over three years. This significant funding boost will enhance F4F’s operations, contributing to ongoing fuel costs and driver salaries.
As a result, F4F will be better equipped to provide safe and secure transport for Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel and their families when public transport is either unavailable or not an option.
F4F operates for personnel and their families throughout Scotland, providing transport to essential medical, recreational and therapeutic activity-based appointments personnel might otherwise miss. They also plan to expand their services into the UK.
What sets Fares4Free apart is its unique approach. Their volunteer and outreach support drivers are trained in mental health first aid, enabling them to listen to service users, identify issues and help signpost people to other support services.
The ‘More than a Journey’ model aims to help passengers repeatedly engage with the essential support they require, providing transport in fully maintained and suitable vehicles, all operated and trained by vetted outreach support drivers and volunteers.
Chief Executive Officer of Fares4Free, Marie Crombie, said:
“The funding provided by Greenwich Hospital means we can provide reliable and comfortable transport operated by trained and astute drivers, ensuring all service users can attend appointments. Helping veterans get the support and care they need impacts their physical and mental health and works to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.”
Director of Grants at Greenwich Hospital, Jonathan Ball OBE, said:
“The ‘More than a Journey’ model provides a safe environment where serving and former Royal Navy and Royal Marines and their families can seek transport that is trusted and able to support them on their journey to gain access to essential services.”
