Older patients in rural Cullyhanna and across South Armagh are receiving help with difficult hospital journeys through a volunteer transport scheme designed to make out-of-area appointments easier to reach.
Home 2 Hospital, operated by Newry-based charity and social enterprise Bolster Community, provides transport for people aged over 60 who live in Slieve Gullion or the Mournes and need to attend hospital appointments outside their immediate area. The service has also recently been extended to the Crotlieve area of County Down.
Fewer buses, taxis and travel worries
For residents in rural South Armagh, travelling to specialist care can involve more than one type of public transport. The source article describes how some journeys could take twice as long without the scheme, while infrequent rural services and timetables that finish at about 6pm can create added pressure for older patients.
A missed bus or delayed taxi may raise concerns about missing an appointment. Home 2 Hospital volunteers remain available throughout the day, providing an organised journey to hospital and a return trip afterwards.
The arrangement also reduces the need for relatives or friends to take time off work or be available to collect someone after treatment. Passengers can rest in the car on the way home instead of managing another public transport journey while tired or unwell.
Volunteer drivers offer support as well as transport
Noel Evans has driven for Home 2 Hospital for five years. The scheme covers rural parts of Armagh and Down, where he identified a significant need, and drivers can provide practical assistance during what may be a stressful day.
The service can be particularly important for patients receiving demanding treatment. One woman undergoing cancer treatment told Evans she might not have attended her appointments without the scheme. She completed about 27 consecutive treatment sessions, with Evans and another volunteer sharing the driving, and was brought home in time for lunch after each appointment.
The journeys can also provide companionship. The article says conversation in the car can become an important source of support for people who might otherwise experience loneliness in rural communities, with some passengers opening up to their drivers.
Service coverage expands
Home 2 Hospital was highlighted by the Belfast Telegraph on 22 August 2026. Its expansion into Crotlieve adds to support already available to older people in Slieve Gullion and the Mournes who face difficult journeys for specialist or out-of-area healthcare.
The available information does not state how residents can apply for transport or volunteer as drivers. It does establish that the service is intended for older residents who cannot rely on frequent public transport or family members and need help getting to an appointment and home again.