Older people in Cullyhanna and across South Armagh are receiving help with difficult hospital journeys through Home 2 Hospital, a volunteer transport service operated by Newry-based charity and social enterprise Bolster Community.
The scheme is intended for people aged over 60 who live in Slieve Gullion or the Mournes and need to attend hospital appointments outside their immediate area. It has recently been extended to the Crotlieve area of County Down.
Support for rural hospital appointments
For rural residents, reaching specialist care can involve more than one form of public transport. The journey can take twice as long without Home 2 Hospital, while infrequent rural services and timetables that finish at about 6pm can create additional pressure for older patients.
A missed bus or delayed taxi can leave someone worried about arriving late for an appointment. Home 2 Hospital volunteers remain available throughout the day, providing an organised journey to hospital and a return trip afterwards.
The service also reduces the need for relatives or friends to take time off work or arrange a collection after treatment. Instead of managing another public transport journey while tired or unwell, passengers can rest in the car on the way home.
Volunteers offer practical help and companionship
Noel Evans has driven for Home 2 Hospital for five years. The scheme covers rural parts of Armagh and Down, where he identified significant need, and volunteer drivers can provide practical assistance during what may be a stressful day.
The support 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 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 offer companionship as well as transport. Conversation in the car may help people who might otherwise experience loneliness in rural communities, while some passengers open up to their drivers.
Scheme expands into Crotlieve
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 say 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 travelling to an appointment and returning home.