I wanted to give back
Paul Gibbs has volunteered with Community360 for more than two years, showing up week after week as one of the friendly faces behind our community transport service.
Before joining Community360, Paul ran his own small consultancy. These days, you’re more likely to find him behind the wheel, driving across Colchester and the surrounding areas to collect people for social visits, appointments, or those vital shopping trips that help someone stay independent.
For many passengers, Paul’s arrival is more than just a lift. It’s a familiar routine, a warm hello, and a reassuring smile at the door , especially for people who might not otherwise leave the house.
“I started as a volunteer driver as I wanted to give something back,” Paul says.
“It is genuinely the customers that make it. The big thing is that for some people these trips are the only time they get out of the house. Seeing how much difference these trips make makes it all worthwhile.”
Through simple, everyday journeys, Paul helps people feel connected, supported and seen – proof that small acts, repeated often, can mean the world.
Paul is just one of the many volunteer drivers that make the Community360 service what it is. Last year alone, an incredible total of 10,356 volunteer hours were donated by volunteers. In total, that helped the Community Transport team carry out more than 30,000 social club trips in our community and deliver 1,800 patients who had been discharged from hospital safely home.
To find out more about the service visit the Community Transport Page. To enquire about becoming a volunteer like Paul visit our Volunteering page.
