Welcome to the Reading

               and West Berkshire Branch

New Jumbulance Travel Trust  (NJTT)

Provided by Chris Chisholm who can be contacted on 01794 368120

 

The NJTT is a small Charitable Trust with 3 unique and specialised vehicles known as JUMBULANCES: part coach, part ambulance. Jumbulances are designed to transport people (known by us as VIPs) who are sick or disabled over long distances in comfort and safety with the help of volunteers (nurses, carers and where needed a doctor).

 

Our aim is to make travel possible and transform lives.

 

Relatives can travel with the VIPs with the support of our volunteers or can have a break for themselves (often much needed respite) whilst the VIP gets a real holiday themselves instead of a week in a Hospital or Nursing Home.

 

Two jumbulances are for European travel and are equipped with 8 trolley beds, 16 reclining seats, a platform lift, a toilet suitable for the disabled traveller, a kitchen facility, (ovens, fridge and sink etc).   Appropriate medical equipment (plus spenco mattresses, a hoist and commode) is carried and there is accommodation for 2 drivers. There is ample space for up to 12 wheelchairs and other accessories to be stored underneath the vehicle with the luggage.

 

The third vehicle is designed for Day outings and holidays in the UK and has a platform lift, disabled persons’ toilet, fridge and hot and cold drinks facility.  It has 18 seats and a versatile area where trolley beds or up to 7 wheelchairs can be clamped to the floor.

 

Local groups all over the UK hire the jumbulances and provide the 12-14 able bodied helpers to support the 10-12 VIPs.  Helper numbers depend on the level of assistance needed by the VIPs.  A local group leader will make the jumbulance and hotel bookings and organise helpers.  Hotels are usually visited the year before a holiday and NJTT will advise groups of suitable, fully adapted hotels. The group nurse will see all prospective VIPs prior to a holiday to ensure there is the right mix of helpers given the medical and support needs. Volunteers usually pay their own fares although financial support can come from fund raising and grants. VIPs can often get help with the costs from a variety of sources.

 

This year our group is going to Hotel Pen Bron in southern Brittany in June and to St Anne’s Hotel on the Fylde Peninsular in October. We also hope to offer some day outings for people in West Berkshire.

 

Formerly a nurse at Sandleford Hospital, Newbury and for 14 years at Duchess of Kent House in Reading, I have been travelling as a volunteer nurse with the JUMBULANCES  since the 1980s. In 2002 I published The Accessible Travel Guide (all proceeds to Duchess of Kent House) to encourage sick and disabled people to travel.  I have no illusions about how concerned people might be about traveling when they need assistance but I am also aware of how liberating it can be to get away for a real break. It is hard work for the helpers but also great fun…we are all on holiday, and it does transform lives. David Lumsden ( our local group leader) and I are both trustees and keen to encourage the formation of new groups and would be happy to give any help needed to achieve this.

 

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