A VOLUNTEERING organisation which provides a range of community services to people in West Oxfordshire has received a much-needed financial boost.

Volunteer Link-Up, based in Witney, was awarded a £10,000 Community Revenue Grant by West Oxfordshire District Council.

The organisation helps elderly residents live independently through its Good Neighbour scheme, which includes giving people lifts to medical appointments.

Manager Pat Chirgwin said: “It's vital for people, because with councils cutting services to the general public more and more people are left high and dry.

"People who might have used public transport in the past now can't and have no means of getting to important appointments.

"Our volunteers pick them up from their homes, make sure they get where they need to be on time and get them home safely.

"There are all these little things we take for granted but when you get older you're out on your own.

"We have clients in their nineties or hundreds who are still able to live at home because they have our volunteers."

Volunteer Link-Up also operates a befriending scheme and sources volunteers to help other West Oxfordshire charities.

It was founded in 1983 and has more than 200 volunteers helping 950 clients.

Earlier this month, the organisation was voted Best Group in West Oxfordshire at the Oxfordshire Charity and Volunteer Awards.