Older people in rural Cullyhanna are relying on a volunteer transport service to reach hospital appointments across Northern Ireland, avoiding lengthy combinations of buses and taxis that can make essential treatment difficult to attend.
Home 2 Hospital, operated by Newry-based charity and social enterprise Bolster Community, provides transport for people aged over 60 living in Slieve Gullion or the Mournes who need to attend out-of-area hospital appointments. The scheme has recently been extended to the Crotlieve area of County Down.
Support for rural hospital journeys
Theresa Garvey, who lives in rural Cullyhanna, uses the service because she regularly travels to hospitals in different parts of Northern Ireland. Without the scheme, her journeys would involve several buses and taxis and could take twice as long.
Rural transport difficulties add to the pressure. Services can be infrequent, while some timetables finish at around 6pm. The volunteer service removes the worry that a missed bus or taxi delay could result in an appointment being missed.
Drivers remain available throughout the day, meaning passengers do not have to depend on relatives or friends taking time off work and waiting to provide a return journey. After appointments, passengers can also rest in the car on the way home, rather than managing another public transport journey while tired or unwell.
Volunteers offer practical and social support
Noel Evans has driven for Home 2 Hospital for five years. The scheme’s coverage of rural parts of Down and Armagh reflects what he described as a significant need, while volunteering also gives drivers the opportunity to meet people and provide practical assistance.
The service can be particularly important for patients undergoing demanding treatment. One woman receiving cancer treatment told Evans she might not have attended her appointments without the scheme. She had about 27 consecutive treatment sessions, with Evans and another volunteer sharing the driving. She was brought home in time for lunch after each appointment.
Home 2 Hospital also provides companionship for people who may otherwise experience loneliness in rural communities. Conversation during journeys can become an important source of support, with some passengers opening up to their drivers.
Scheme expands beyond South Armagh
The service was highlighted by the Belfast Telegraph on 22 August 2026. Its expansion into Crotlieve adds to support already available to older residents in Slieve Gullion and the Mournes who face difficult journeys for specialist or out-of-area healthcare.
For residents who cannot rely on frequent public transport or family members for hospital travel, the volunteer model provides an organised journey to appointments and a return trip home. The source material does not state how residents can apply for transport or volunteer as drivers.