Older residents in rural Cullyhanna are using a volunteer transport service to reach hospital appointments across Northern Ireland, avoiding complicated journeys 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 difficult rural journeys
Theresa Garvey, who lives in rural Cullyhanna, regularly travels to hospitals in different parts of Northern Ireland and uses the service because the alternative can involve several buses and taxis. Those journeys could take twice as long without the scheme.
Limited rural transport adds to the pressure. Services may be infrequent, and some timetables finish at around 6pm. Home 2 Hospital removes the worry that a missed bus or delayed taxi could mean an appointment is missed.
Volunteer drivers remain available throughout the day, so passengers do not have to depend on relatives or friends taking time off work and waiting to provide a return journey. After an appointment, passengers can rest in the car on the way home rather than managing another public transport trip while tired or unwell.
Practical help and companionship
Noel Evans has driven for Home 2 Hospital for five years. The scheme covers rural parts of Down and Armagh, where he said there was a significant need. Volunteering also gives drivers the opportunity to meet passengers and provide practical assistance.
The service can be especially important for people 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.
Journeys can also provide companionship for people who might otherwise experience loneliness in rural communities. Conversation in the car 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, the volunteer model offers an organised journey to an appointment and a return trip home. The source material does not state how residents can apply for transport or volunteer as drivers.