VASA

27/05/2026

Today VASA First Aid Training delivered Emergency First Aid at Work training to staff at The Shakespeare Hospice, and it felt like more than just a training session.

Both VASA and Shakespeare Hospice are nominated charities for the Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council and the Chair of Stratford-on-Avon District Council this year, and today felt like the beginning of something really lovely.

Two organisations, both rooted in this community, both here to support people through some of life’s most difficult moments. The shared values in that room were obvious from the start.

We’re hoping this is just the first of many collaborations to come. Watch this space. 🌿

25/05/2026

A huge thank you to our volunteer drivers across South Warwickshire and Solihull who gave up part of their bank holiday weekend to keep our passengers moving.

And to every one of our volunteer drivers, thank you for everything you do throughout the year.

You are the heart of VASA. 💙

23/05/2026

It might be the hottest day of the year so far, but that didn’t stop the brilliant group of counsellors and therapists from Lifeways Charity from showing up and giving it everything today.

They completed their Emergency First Aid at Work training. These are people who already support others through some of life’s hardest moments, and today they added another layer to that care.

Because real support isn’t just about being there emotionally. Sometimes it’s about being there physically too.

Well done everyone. You were brilliant. 🌟

New Hope Counselling | Elsa Wye Wellbeing

19/05/2026

🐾 JOIN THE MAYOR FOR A DOG WALK! 🐾

What better way to spend a Sunday morning than a beautiful walk with your four-legged friend?! 🌿

📅 Sunday 12th July
⏰ 10:00am start
📍 Crowne Plaza Garden

Kick things off with a breakfast bap courtesy of the Crowne Plaza Hotel 🥖, then enjoy a gorgeous walk through the nature reserve, up to the Welcome Hills obelisk and back.

Around 2½ hours of fresh air and good company!

Don’t forget to bring food and a drink to enjoy at the obelisk 🎒
💛 All money raised goes to the Mayor’s Good Causes - VASA, The Shakespeare Hospice & Dogs Trust

🎟️ £10 per adult | Booking essential: scan the QR code to grab your spot!

🐾🐾

18/05/2026

🌟 Could you spare 2 minutes to nominate VASA?

Movement for good is running a special Health & Wellbeing draw, with 10 charities winning £5,000 each. We're eligible, but nominations close this Sunday 24 May, so time is short!

Nominating is free and takes just a moment. Head to the link below, search for VASA (charity number 1067584 - Voluntary Action Stratford on Avon) and submit your nomination.

👉 https://movementforgood.com/draws/special/health-wellbeing

Every nomination counts and could help us keep more people connected to their communities. Thank you so much for your support. 💙

Nominate a charity for a Movement for Good award now.

15/05/2026

Today marks the start of a new civic year in Stratford-upon-Avon, and here at VASA Community Transport we are delighted and grateful to have been chosen as one of the three designated charities for the new Mayor, Councillor Sam McNaught Barrow, alongside The Shakespeare Hospice and The Dogs Trust.

Your support means a great deal to us. The work we do, connecting people across our community to the appointments, services and social connections that matter most, relies on the generosity and backing of people who understand why community transport is so much more than just a journey. We are looking forward to the year ahead and to working alongside you.

And before we look forward, we also want to say a heartfelt thank you to outgoing Mayor Cllr Dani Hunter. Dani, your support for VASA during your mayoral year meant a lot to every one of us, volunteers, staff and passengers alike. Thank you for seeing us, championing us, and for everything you did for this community.

Here's to a wonderful year ahead.

15/05/2026

On Monday we welcomed a wonderful group from Forest of Hearts to VASA HQ for a full day of Emergency First Aid training. A huge well done to everyone who took part!

We loved hearing about the reason behind the training too. As well as wanting to be prepared, the group are in the process of setting up walks for people living with Parkinson’s, and wanted to make sure they have the skills and confidence to keep participants safe.

What a brilliant initiative. We wish them every success with the walks and are proud to have played a small part in getting them ready.

If your group or organisation would like Emergency First Aid training, get in touch at [email protected]

💚

13/05/2026

Congratulations to Cllr Mike Rice of Henley-in-Arden on becoming Chair of Stratford-on-Avon District Council for the coming year!

We would also like to thank outgoing Chair Councillor Kate Rolfe for her dedication to the district throughout her year in the role.

We are truly honoured to be one of Cllr Rice’s two designated charities, alongside our friends at The Shakespeare Hospice. Mike has spoken movingly about his personal connection to VASA, with both his parents-in-law having used our services in their later years. That kind of firsthand understanding of what community transport means to people means the world to us.

We look forward to everything the year ahead holds. Wishing Mike a brilliant year in the role. 🌟

13/05/2026

Yesterday evening we were delighted to attend Great Alne & Kinwarton WI meeting, not only to talk about our community transport scheme but also to demonstrate CPR and how to use an AED defibrillator.

A huge thank you to the WI for their donation. It was a wonderful evening with a really engaged and warm group of people.

If your group would like a free demonstration on what to do in an emergency, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at [email protected]

💛

12/05/2026

🎉 Two Years of Incredible Journeys! 🎉

This evening, some of our fabulous Solihull Rural East volunteer drivers got together to celebrate something really special: two whole years of giving their time, their cars, and their care to people who need it most.

These volunteers don’t just drive. They turn an appointment into something manageable, a lonely day into a connection, and a difficult journey into a moment of kindness. We are so proud of every single one of them.

So, a heartfelt thank you to our Solihull Rural East drivers, and to Balsall Parish Council and Berkswell Parish for helping us celebrate the people who make it all possible.

Here’s to the next two years, and all the journeys still to come. 🚗💛