If you want to be out there exploring the world, but mobility problems are stopping you, help is at hand.

Here in Wiltshire we are lucky to have a range of companies and services that can help you live life to the full. From bus services to mobility speacilists, now is the tiem to get moving.

RUH Hopper

The Hopper service provides a door to door service across much of West Wiltshire to help people access the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

The area that the service covers includes Corsham, Box, Lacock, Melksham, Monkton Farleigh, Winsley, Monkton Combe, Limpley Stoke, Bradford on Avon, Seend, Freshford, Westwood, Bulkington, Trowbridge, Semington, Steeple Ashton, Southwick, Bratton, Little Cheverell, Westbury, Chapmanslade, Upton Scudamore, Warminster and many other places between these main towns and villages.

You can use the RUH Hopper to:

  • Go to the hospital for an appointment.
  • Visit relatives or friends who are at the hospital
  • Accompany a relative or friend to their hospital appointment
  • Travel to work at the hospital

The Hopper operates from 7.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and has hourly arrivals at the hospital from 8.20am until 5.20pm and hourly departures from the hospital from 8.30am until 5.30pm when booked in advance.

The Hopper carries pre-booked passengers only and all bookings must be made two days in advance of travel.

You can make a block of regular bookings for the service in one telephone call to the booking centre if this helps.

You may be required to share the Hopper with other users travelling to or from the RUH and the Hopper will collect you and drop you to your door.

Charges for the service vary with distance travelled and range from £6 to £12.50 for a return fare.

Anyone aged over 60 or disabled and who has a valid Wiltshire & Swindon FREE Bus Pass can use the Hopper service for a £5.00 return fare.

The RUH Hopper is wheelchair accessible and can carry up to eight people.

Bookings for the service must be made by calling (01985) 212 213, Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5.30pm.

Wigglybus

The Wigglybus is a flexible demand responsive bus service that provides the ideal transport solution for the rural area.

Operating in Calne, Kennet Valley, Mere, and the Vale of Pewsey, the service provides door to door transport for anyone living, working and visiting these areas.

The buses operate on frequent services throughout the day and to travel on the buses customers must book their journey in advance by calling the following numbers: 01249 460600 for Calne, Kennet Valley and the Vale of Pewsey (open 6am to 11pm Monday to Saturday) 01747 861222 for Mere & District (open 7am to 6pm Monday to Saturday) Bookings for Calne, Kennet Valley and the Vale of Pewsey can be made as little as 20 minutes before the bus is scheduled to leave its starting point and bookings on the Mere & District Wigglybus should be made at least 30 minutes before the service is scheduled to start.

Services in the Mere and Vale of Pewsey areas include Nightbus services with journeys available from Mere to Salisbury on a Saturday and journeys available between and around Pewsey and Devizes on Mondays to Saturdays.

Internet booking for services in the Vale of Pewsey, Calne and the Kennet Valley is now available and to be set up as a web-booker of for and other information on any of the Wigglybus services please call the Wigglybus Information Line on 01380 860100 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

Total Mobility

Visit Total Mobility in Warminster to find a treasure trove of mobility equipment; from a simple knife and fork all the way through to a complete kitchen.

The family-run company will travel to your home and conduct a full survey and discuss your needs and requirements to find out what will best suit your situation.

They can offer you a wide range of adaptations to allow you to stay in your own home and can provide equipment to help with everything from food preparation through to washing and toileting.

Visit www.totalmobilityuk.co.uk to find out more about their wide range of services and products.