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Operator Name: Armagh Rural Transport Updated May 2009
Launch of ART Website
ART will be Launching it offical website on 16th June 2009 10.30 - 12pm, at our premises (Armagh Business Centre, 2 Loughgall Road). Everyone welcome to attend.
Day Trips
As summer is fast approaching ART has arranged 2 day trips for Members to attend over the next few months. If you are interested in booking a seat please contact the office on 028 37 518151. The trips are as follows:
Wednesday 17th June 2009 9am - 6pm
To Castlewellan and Newcastle, £7 per head
Tuesday 7th July 2009 9am - 5pm
Bangor, £8 per head
Newsletter No.15 - February 2007
Hello All
We are now into the heart of spring but we hope you are all still wrapping up warm with plenty of layers of clothes. It is lovely to see the snowdrops beginning to come out.
We hope you all enjoyed the AGM in December, and I’m sure you will all agree that it was great to have Tony McConnell from DRD with us for the day. We would like to welcome the five new members onto the committee who are Brendan McGarrity, Anna Beamish, James Morrow, Bridget Smyth and Mary Lennon.
Thinking forward we are planning a day trip to the Balmoral Show in Belfast on Thursday 17th May 2007. We’re giving plenty of notice so why not plan to make a day of it as there will be plenty to see and do. ART TEAM
Sharon McBride
Hello everyone, my name is Sharon McBride and I am the newest addition to the ART team, coming on board last month as a Driver.
I’m happily married to Jim for the past 13 years and we live in the countryside near Newtownhamilton. With my husband being a farmer there is always plenty to keep us busy but I decided that I needed a new challenge and therefore decided to join Armagh Rural Transport as a part time Driver. This will be a very enjoyable role for myself as I love being out doors and enjoy meeting new people.
I hope to come into contact with those that I have not already met very soon.
DONATION
Following the coffee morning held on 17th October 2006. A donation of £200 has been made to the RSPCA in memory of our dear friend and colleague Mr Terry Dawes. A lasting tribute has been entered into their book of memories which is displayed at the RSPCA headquarters. Many thanks to all who made a contribution.
ART’S 6th AGM
On the 7th December 2006 ART held its 6th AGM at the Cathedral Road Recreation Centre. The AGM was well attended and a big thanks goes to Mr Tony McConnell from our funders DRD who was the guest speaker for the event. At the AGM ART were successful in recruiting 5 more people to sit on the management committee for the incoming year. The event was rounded off with everyone enjoying lunch together.
Membership Fees
Just a little reminder that the membership fees will be due again on the 1st April 2007 for the incoming year. A separate letter will go out to everyone in the near future.
ART Day Trip
Feeling the “Winter Blues” setting in? Need something to look forward to? Why not book a seat on the bus to go to the Balmoral Show 2007 which is the largest agricultural show in Ireland for an action packed day of entertainment which is sure to entertain one and all. The cost of the bus is £8 per person. To book your seat telephone the ART office on 028 37 518151—Seats are limited. On arrival at the Balmoral Showgrounds the entry cost is £14 for adults, £10 Senior Citizens, £8 Children (12-18yrs). Children under 12 are free entry into the show. This year the main attraction is the Chariots of Fire display team which features extraordinary stunts with ponies and sheep. You’ll also be able to watch top international show jumping, pony club games, dog agility, inter hunt chase and band performances. You will also be able to walk around the 390+ stalls have a look at the animals, children’s farm and machinery. New for this year is the food pavilion, where there will be lots of local tasty delights to sample and take home with you. All in all a lovely day out to be had. Booking is based on first come first served.
MiDAS Training
Congratulations to the nine volunteers who successfully completed their MiDAS training in November. If you would be interested in completing the training so that you could drive the bus for your own group give the ART office a ring on 028 37 518151 and request a volunteer application form.
Special Olympics
The Special Olympics Ireland has undergone tremendous growth in the last 3 years. 11,000 athletes have registered to compete and 18,000 volunteers have registered to help. To raise money for the event they are holding a bungee jump on Saturday 31st March 2007 in the Superbowl in Derry. Leaving the Cathedral Road Recreation Complex at 10am. You can contact 028 37 525161 for sponsorship forms. Another fundraising event is the Road to China on the 9.30am—8.30pm. Volunteers are required for all major roads in town will have collection points and shopping centres around Armagh.
Social Audit
Over the next few months ART will be undertaking a Social Audit on the overall operation of the organisation. This will involve meeting with a number of members, requesting questionnaires and possibly telephone interviews. Therefore we would appreciate your co-operation with this matter as this study will be the basis of ART’s future Action Plans. This will be a great opportunity for you as a member to voice your opinion on the developments of Armagh Rural Transport. We look forward to working with you over the next few months. The report will be available for everyone to view.
Increase in Rates
Just a little reminder that from 1st January 2007 the rates for using the minibus and people carrier have increased to:-
£3 per hour for Self Drive;
£5 per hour With Driver weekdays between 8am and 10pm;
£8 per hour With Driver between 10pm and 8am;
£8 per hour With Driver for Saturday, Sunday and Public holidays.
The mileage rate remains at 0.60p per mile.
Minimum charge of £10 per return trip.
For the Social Car Scheme the mileage rate has increased to 0.50p per mile with a minimum charge of £1.50 each way.
Armagh Rural Transport Update October 2006
Armagh Rural Transport has two 16 seater minibus and a people carrier. We aim to be as flexible as possible for our users. Each week we provide transport services for many users who without ART would be unable to get out and about.
One member in particular uses ART services three times a week. The ART driver along with the passenger assistant go to a local nursing home and bring him home to spend time with his wife. He is a wheelchair user and requires an accessible vehicle. Mr Cunningham looks forward with great joy to the days when ART allow him to get home, back into his own environment. The ART driver returns later on that evening and returns Mr Cunningham to the nursing home in time for supper. This service allows Mr and Mrs Cunningham an opportunity to spend quality time together in their own home.
Another similar story is that of a lady who is in another nursing home. She is also a wheelchair user and due to her family not having an accessible vehicle has been unable to get out and visit her family in their home for many, many years. During the year her son completed his MiDAS training to become a volunteer driver for ART. Just before we closed for the Christmas holidays he came into the office and collected the people carrier keys and booking form. On Christmas day he went to the home, collected his mother and brought her home to have Christmas Dinner and spend the day with the family. The joy this has brought to this family has been immense. This allowed this lady to be surrounded by her family for the first time in seven years at a time of year when everyones thoughts turns to their loved ones. She was delighted to be given the opportunity and has been home again since then.
Another service ART provide is the social car scheme. One of the members of this scheme is a rural dweller in her 80s who has been sent by her doctor to the local leisure centre for some gentle exercise. She attends weekly and participates in the exercise programme provided to her by the gym instructor. As a result of this she has been able to reduce her daily medication intake and has greater flexibility and movement.
Surely it is stories like these that bring joy to the heart and let us all know that this is the reason we continue to provide such a valuable service to our local community.
Armagh Rural Transport June 2005 Issue 10
Hello Everyone
I just don’t know where the weeks are going! It seems no time since a Newsletter went out but it was back in March, just before the Easter break.
We would like to welcome Ruth Kilpatrick to the ART team. Ruth volunteers in the ART office two afternoons a week, there is always plenty to do and never a dull moment!
Julie is enjoying her time off on maternity leave and baby Reece is progressing well and getting bigger by the day.
The ART office will be closed for the annual summer week leave. We finish on Friday 8th July 2005 at 5pm and re-open on Monday 18th July 2005 at 9am. We hope you all enjoy your summer holidays whether you are enjoying the sun in the back garden or jetting off to lands unknown.
Diane, Patricia, Frances
Training
The ART staff and volunteers have been getting their training updated over the last number of months. Courses they have completed have included Disability Awareness Training; Disability Act Training; MiDAS and Lifting and Handling. These courses allow all staff and volunteers to be confident in the needs of everyone who uses our service and allow ART to be more prepared to assit our individual members.
If there is any further training that you feel ART staff and volunteers should have please give the office a ring on 028 37 518151 and speak to Diane.
**ART Days Away**
Do you fancy a day away to the seaside to sit on the beach and eat ice cream? Or what about a tour of around Fermanagh or the Glens of Antrim? Why not book a seat on the bus for one of the days away with Armagh Rural Transport for
£7 per adult, £5 per child. Details as follows:-
Tuesday 19th July 2005—Bangor
Tuesday 26th July 2005—Lakes of Fermanagh
Tuesday 16th August 2005—Newcastle
Tuesday 30th August 2005—Glens of Antrim
Volunteering
My name is Ruth Kilpatrick, and I am a volunteer with Armagh Rural Transport. I volunteer 8 – 10 hours per week on a Monday and Wednesday. I start work about 12 noon, and work until 4.00pm or 5.00pm, the hours are flexible. My work is varied, answering the phone, photocopying, filing, and writing cheques. I also put data onto the computer. I deal with callers to the office and help them with their queries. Of course there are also the tasks of making tea, washing dishes, and doing the hovering. I am very grateful to Armagh Rural Transport for giving me the opportunity to use my skills in helping them, and in so doing helping myself to get back into the work scene, after a time off work through illness. Volunteering is a very worthwhile job and I would recommend it to anyone. |
