Cumbernauld Community Mental Health Hub Launches With Talk And Transcend Line
3 October 2025
Cumbernauld Wheels For Wellbeing: A New Community-Driven Solution To Health And Social Care Transport
Cumbernauld Wheels for Wellbeing, a brand new community drivers service providing low cost travel for organisations and people across the local area, has been launched by Cornerstone House Centre.
The exciting initiative, supported by the Volunteering Strand of Community Solutions North Lanarkshire’s Thematic Fund, has been introduced as a pilot during 2025-26 to address gaps in access to health and social care services in the Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Northern Corridor areas.
The service will operate flexibly whereby partner agencies can contact Cornerstone House Centre to enquire about and book transport for planned journeys. Initially, bookings will be open to identified local health and social care partners, including NHS Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Council, Community and Voluntary Sector (CVS) organisations and other key Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire providers.
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HOW THE SERVICE WORKS AND ENQUIRING ABOUT BOOKING TRANSPORT
Trained, experienced and insured volunteer drivers with knowledge of Cumbernauld and surrounding areas will be allocated to undertake booked journeys using their own vehicles. The scheme involves transport being offered to service users at £0.90 per mile travelled by the volunteer driver, with Cornerstone House Centre adopting strategies to ensure volunteer driver mileage is kept as low as possible. Travel bookings and enquiries can be made by contacting Cumbernauld Wheels for Wellbeing on 01236 739220 or emailing admin@cornerstone-house.org.uk.
A key focus for bookings is health-related travel for patients and vulnerable service users, notably trips to hospital appointments, GP visits, mental health services and community-based provisions. The innovation will integrate prioritising those in need and ensuring that volunteer drivers offer care, compassion and support, recognising that individuals being transported will often be disadvantaged and facing emotional health challenges.
Targeted beneficiaries will include older adults, individuals with disabilities, those with long-term conditions, people with mental health issues, children and families, carers and others experiencing inequalities. Mary McNeil, Development Manager at Cornerstone House Centre, said:
“Cumbernauld Wheels for Wellbeing has been established on the back of research which indicates strong need and support for an independent health and social care community transport service locally.
“One notable factor is that access to reliable transportation to health and social care appointments is evidently a significant barrier for many Cumbernauld residents, particularly when attending three NHS Lanarkshire hospitals, of which the nearest is 10 miles from Cumbernauld town centre.
“A substantial proportion of missed healthcare appointments in North Lanarkshire are linked to transport difficulties. NHS Lanarkshire has reported that around 20% of missed hospital appointments are due to patients being unable to secure transport. Moreover, non-attendance of appointments costs the health board in excess of £4 million per year.
“Cumbernauld Wheels for Wellbeing seeks to directly address such issues by providing a dependable, affordable and alternative transport option to help reduce non-attendance rates, improve patient outcomes and save health and social care partner resources.
“Crucially, the service is designed to save key providers such as NHS Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire Council elevated costs in regularly hiring taxis and private transport for people who are unable to attend appointments without additional support.
“Equally, the social enterprise will enable volunteer drivers involved to advance their skills, experience and personal development, with their contributions helping promote wellbeing, reduce social isolation and reduce reliance on expensive and stressful transport options.”
Although the initial pilot is for one year, the project aspires to lay foundations for effective long-term community transport solutions across North Lanarkshire.
Before the initial funding period concludes, sustainability will be explored through Cornerstone House Centre extracting learning from the pilot and working with other Community Solutions North Lanarkshire partners to implement a viable social enterprise community transport service going forward.
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CUMBERNAULD WHEELS FOR WELLBEING VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NOW BEING RECRUITED: SIGN-UP TODAY
To support the programme, enthusiastic volunteer drivers from Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and neighbouring villages with a suitable vehicle of their own and available time are currently being recruited to join the Cumbernauld Wheels for Wellbeing team.
No minimum commitment level is needed, and volunteers may select which journeys they are able to undertake. Relevant training will be provided and drivers will be reimbursed at a healthy rate for the mileage that they incur, with all other out-of-pocket expenses also provided.
The venture also plans to incorporate skills-based volunteer driving roles for the benefit of those being transported. By matching volunteers with specific backgrounds or skills (such as first aid, customer service or knowledge of local community services), the initiative can offer bespoke support that goes beyond basic transportation.
For example, a volunteer with healthcare experience could provide additional comfort and guidance during medical journeys, while someone with strong interpersonal skills might excel in engaging with service users facing emotional challenges. This tailored approach will not only improve service quality but also provide volunteers with opportunities for personal and professional development.
If you would be interested in becoming a volunteer driver with Cumbernauld Wheels for Wellbeing, please contact Cornerstone House Centre on 01236 739220 or email admin@cornerstone-house.org.uk for further information.
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