Older people in Cullyhanna and across South Armagh are being helped with difficult journeys to hospital 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 expanded into the Crotlieve area of County Down.
Support for rural hospital appointments
For rural residents, reaching specialist care can require more than one form of public transport. Without Home 2 Hospital, journeys can take twice as long, while infrequent rural services and timetables that finish at about 6pm can place extra pressure on older patients.
A missed bus or delayed taxi can leave a patient worried about arriving late. Home 2 Hospital volunteers remain available throughout the day, providing an organised journey to hospital and a return trip afterwards.
The service can also reduce the need for relatives or friends to take time off work or arrange a collection after treatment. Passengers can rest in the car on the journey home instead of managing another public transport trip while tired or unwell.
Volunteers provide 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 offer practical assistance during what may be a stressful day.
The support can be particularly 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 provide 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.
Service 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 explain how residents can apply for transport or volunteer as drivers. It does establish that the service is aimed at older residents who cannot rely on frequent public transport or family members and need help travelling to an appointment and returning home.