A Lifeline on Wheels: Portlethen and District Voluntary Community Ambulance

For over four decades, one small but mighty organisation has been quietly transforming lives across Portlethen and the surrounding areas. The Portlethen and District Voluntary Community Ambulance offers far more than just transport - it keeps people connected to the world outside their front door, and for many, serves as a lifeline to vital medical appointments.

We spoke with Colin Stratton, one of the service's longest-standing volunteers, to learn more about the organisation's story, its impact, and why it continues to matter today.

A Community-Driven Beginning

The charity's story began in 1982 with a simple but powerful idea. Founded by Roy Wood, who worked in the Medical Department in Shell Aberdeen and ran the local branch of the St Andrews Ambulance Cadets, the service was able to start with a single vehicle purchase after he approached the Grampian Regional Council, for just £150, which was fully funded by a donor who wished to remain anonymous.

Originally intended to transport young people to weekend events, the ambulance quickly found a wider purpose. Explaining how the organisation's story evolved, Colin shared: "Roy approached the medical centre here and said, look, this is only being used at the weekends. How about you use it to collect people who have difficulty getting to the medical centre? And the medical centre said, great idea, but we can't organise that. You would need to do that yourselves, and that's what he did". Working with the local medical centre, volunteers began offering transport to patients who struggled to attend appointments. From there, the service grew organically, shaped by the needs of the community.

Over the years, support from local businesses and organisations has helped sustain and expand the service which is a testament to what community spirit can achieve. Roy shared: "Asda, who are a local supermarket, provided a vehicle in the '80s and in the '90s, Shell's Brent Charlie platform provided the funds for a brand-new vehicle."

More than "Just Transport"

Operating five days a week, the ambulance provides a door-to-door service for people attending medical and dental appointments. Many passengers who use the services are elderly residents or passengers with mobility issues, making the service essential for them.  The ambulance is accessible for wheelchair users and all volunteers are MiDAS trained.

Colin explains: "For some people, you're the only person they'll speak to that day apart from their appointment. You hear their stories, what they've been up to - it means a lot to them."

The service also supports local lunch clubs, social groups like the 'Young at Heart' club, and outings for sheltered housing residents. Whether it's a trip to a medical appointment or a visit to a garden centre, the ambulance helps people stay connected to their community.

Small Moments, Big Impact

Colin told us about some of the passengers he has transported over the years, and a particularly memorable passenger was one who insisted on giving drivers a chocolate bar as a thank you after every journey. The regulars have built lasting relationships with the volunteers and the without the service they simply wouldn't be able to leave their homes.

"One lady told us she wouldn't get out at all if it wasn't for the ambulance," Colin shares. "That's when you realise just how important it is."

Running the ambulance costs around £7,000–£7,500 per year, with funding coming from a mix of local donations, small grants, and community fundraising.

From charity races to donations from local businesses and organisations, the support is often deeply personal. Many donations come from families who have connections or have directly benefitted from the service.

"It shows how much it means to people," Colin says. "They want to give back."

Even small financial contributions from passengers reflect this impact. While the service is free, many choose to put a donation in the tin on the bus because they understand its value. Touching on the impact that their service has on their passengers and their families, Colin adds: "We often get donations from people who are the families of our passengers who have passed away, and they have a collection at the funeral where the money comes to us".

Powered by Volunteers

At the heart of the organisation are its volunteers, and Portlethen and District Voluntary Community Ambulance is completely volunteer led.

Colin himself joined after retiring, having long admired the ambulance parked at his local medical centre. "I said to my wife, when I retire, I'm going to volunteer - and I did", he says.

For him, and many others, the experience has been deeply rewarding. "One of our drivers said he wished he'd started years earlier. That's something we hear a lot".

However, like many voluntary organisations, recruiting new volunteers can be a challenge. The team continues to encourage people to step forward, particularly those with the appropriate driving licence category (D1) to help sustain the service.

Recognition and Resilience

The organisation's impact hasn't gone unnoticed, receiving the Queen's Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service in the Community in 2003, and continues to gain recognition within the community and beyond. Colin was invited to attend the Garden Party at Holyrood Palace with his wife, May, in recognition of his volunteer work.

Despite challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when services were limited, the team has remained resilient. Passenger numbers are now recovering, with the ambulance covering around 14,000 miles and supporting approximately 2,800 passengers each year.

Why it Matters

Without the community ambulance, many passengers would face difficult choices: relying on friends and family or paying for taxis they may not be able to afford. CTA conducted a pilot passenger survey with three member organisations, Portlethen being one of them, for the Making Scotland Healthier report, and findings showed that 39% of passengers would not be able to travel without community transport. Having access to community transport creates healthy communities and investment in the sector is essential to save these lifeline services.

One passenger summed it up perfectly after paying for a taxi when the ambulance was unavailable: "Your service is far more valuable".

The service has a huge impact on the passengers' families too, with Colin sharing one person's story about a man and his wife who used their services because she needed to go to the medical centre regularly to attend appointments. The impact of the service stayed with her husband with Colin sharing "Unfortunately, she passed away. But he contributes 50 pounds a month in a standing order to us because he thought this was a great service".

These experiences show that value goes beyond transport and promotes independence, dignity, and connection which is something that is echoed in one passenger's story who attends the Young at Heart Club and the Newtonhill Lunch Club, "This invaluable service has been a lifeline to me. After experiencing several falls and partially losing the sight in one eye, I was no longer able to drive and found myself housebound. This had a significant impact on my mental health, as I have always been active and enjoyed socialising. After accepting support from a community worker who introduced me to this remarkable service, I am now able to attend various clubs and reconnect with others".

The Future of the Service

As the local population grows and ages, the demand for services like this will only increase. The Portlethen and District Voluntary Community Ambulance Association is ready to meet that need but it relies on continued community support.

Whether through volunteering, fundraising, or simply spreading the word, there are many ways to help ensure this vital service continues for years to come.

Colin reflected on his experience of being a volunteer over the years: "Sometimes you're the only person apart from the people in the medical centre who they see that day. They can tell you about what they've been doing that week, and it gives them a release, and they're happy to talk with you. I find it very rewarding".

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Colin Stratton at colstratton@yahoo.co.uk or current Chairperson Bill Fraser at billfraseramb@yahoo.com