A charity working with people with learning disabilities is desperately looking for somewhere to park its minibus - or it risks losing it.

East Kent Mencap, based in Trinity Road, Sheerness, uses its bus to transport members to activities around Swale.

Lauren Kay, centre manager, said: “Having the bus to get out and about means everyone can travel together safely and easily including wheelchair users.”

But the minibus has to be parked at the charity’s supported living accommodation in Halfway and the distance from the day centre is making it “almost impossible” to keep it running.

Lauren said: “A driver has to go and get it, pick members up, drop them to Sheerness and park it back in Halfway.

“Then if we need to use it during the day too, a session leader has to go and get it, which leaves the day centre short staffed. We need somewhere more suitable to park it.

“We really don’t want to give the bus back but if we can’t find somewhere close to the centre, it may end up being our only option.”

As the minibus has a long wheel base, it is too big for conventional parking bays. Lauren said she had spoken to Swale council, but it “wasn’t able to offer any help”.

She added: “The bus has allowed us to offer so much more to our members. We can get them off the Island and integrate them into the community further afield. We can go bowling, to country parks and so on, and the difference it has made to members is unreal.”

Anyone who thinks they might be able to help, should call Lauren on 01843 808964 (*550) or email lauren.kay@eastkentmencap.co.uk.

For more about the charity, click here.

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