North Devon’s beloved Driving Miss Daisy to end service this year

After seven years of serving the community of North Devon, Driving Miss Daisy Barnstaple is bidding farewell at the end of the year.

Franchise owners Mark and Sharon have been running the assisted travel and companionship business which provides a safe, friendly and reliable service for vulnerable people who want to remain independent.

The service, which includes three wheelchair accessible vehicles, has made its mark in North Devon and the surrounding areas and, as well as being a distinctive and unmissable sight on the local roads, Driving Miss Daisy has been such a lifeline for so many vulnerable people and their families.

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Amongst many other things, they have ensured that vulnerable people have been able to attend hospital, medical, hairdressing, dental appointments etc., as well as providing Daisy Companionship on shopping, seaside trips and at family events. Along the way, they have developed close working relationships with so many private clients and organisations including North Devon Council, Devon County Council, NDDH, care homes, hospitals, medical centres, assisted living and retirement homes.

During the COVID pandemic they worked throughout, ensuring people could still attend essential medical appointments, as well as helping with Hospital Discharges and collecting shopping for elderly clients.

A spokesperson said: “Although we are sad to be moving on, we feel the time is right for us to hang up our Daisy Keys. Taking advice from many of our clients, we are going enjoy some travelling and see what new experiences the future holds.

“If we could go back in time to June 2018 when we started, we would do exactly the same again in a heartbeat. We have met so many wonderful people, some who have sadly passed on, and are so fortunate to have helped so many clients and their families. We would just like to thank everyone who has made this journey so special, especially Daisy Sam and all our regular clients past and present.”

If anyone is interested in continuing the good work, contact the client services at its head office in Portsmouth on 0333 014 6211 or email franchise.recruitment@drivingmissdaisy.co.uk to discuss further.