We have been in operation for over 20 years and we are still asked, "What is it that you do?" It is a very good question, however, a better question to ask would be "what is it that you don't do?".

Having been involved with SNVB for a few years, I can assure you that there isn't much that we don't do.

We don't just organise journeys for our passengers to attend their medical appointments.

We don't just ensure that community members have access to food.

We don't just maintain gardens for community members who are no longer able to because of their health or circumstances.

We build relationships with our members.

We listen when they feel that no-one else is listening.

We reassure them that they are not a nuisance.

We support them when they have no one else to turn to.

We ensure that they are not sat at home in the dark without any heating because they are scared that they cannot afford the increased energy costs.

We assure them that we will help them and follow it through to ensure that they receive the help and support that they are entitled to.

We assist them with accessing information online because they either don't have the technical know how or the equipment to do it themselves.

The number of times that one of our volunteer drivers has turned up at a passengers property to find that they are not answering. Anyone else might assume that the passenger has gone out or found another way of attending their medical appointment.

We don't assume.

Not ever.

We have saved the lives of seven passengers because we go out of our way to ensure that they are safe.

Only recently I found myself in a meeting, with another representative of our local authority who did not know that out of the funding they have provided us with previously, we have had to pay a third back to them in rent.

Many charities will face closure because they are unable to continue with rising costs and inadequate funding from their local authority.

Every charity is required and expected to keep doing more and more, for less.

We do not work the hours we are paid for. We work DOUBLE the hours we are paid for.

Yet, we find ourselves worrying about what charity is going to close next because the impact that it will have on their community will be hugely detrimental.

If you have taken the time to read this, THANK YOU.

For charities it isn't a case of "use us or lose us", it is a real case of "support us or lose us".

If you are able to support SNVB in order to keep our community projects active then your help is very much appreciated and you can be assured that your donation, will be used to support those that need it most within our community.