How many people have not driven their car for over a year? Are you thinking that you might just not drive again? Maybe the cost of running a car does not seem worth it anymore? With so many choices to make, it is hard to know if you are making the right decision to start driving again or not.

One solution is to attend a seminar that is dedicated to supporting older drivers to keep driving for longer and do this in a safe way and with confidence.

Somerset Council’s Road Safety team have been running these for quite a few years with great success and with thanks from grateful drivers.

The Road Safety Team say: “There is no safe age to stop driving. Our Route 60+ programme is designed to help drivers continue their driving career for as long as possible. This is an opportunity to talk with members of the road safety team about any driving or road safety concerns you may have.”

Denise Perrin, Village Agent Project Manager, commented how pleased WERN is, that this event can go ahead with COVID restrictions lifted. She said: “Thankfully our target audience will have been double vaccinated. This event is about helping to build confidence for driving, but also getting out and about in general after eighteen months of restrictions.

“We know that for many people this will be the first time indoors with more than a few people together. So, we are taking the experts’ advice and inviting everyone to continue to wear a face covering indoors, which will become a courtesy to others over the next few months. This is so that everyone can relax and enjoy the morning.”

Doors open at 10 am for people to meet to browse and meet a range of local charities and services supporting older people in the community, then the seminar starts at 11 am. Exhibitors include 3 Valleys Health Team, Swan Transport, WERN Village Agents and Rural Moves, Somerset Road Safety Team, Thatcher and Hallam Solicitors, Curo Independent Living Service, Stroke Association, Sirona Telecare, We Care, and Midsomer Norton and Radstock Dial a Ride.

Ketyn Jepson, Midsomer Norton resident and WERN team member, will be offering a short taster of her Extend exercise class. She has been supporting older people throughout the pandemic. As people start driving again, they may notice that it is less easy for them to get in and out of the car or turning around in their seat to reverse is a challenge. Ketyn aims to help people regain their flexibility which will help drivers but also rebuild core stability which everyone needs for better mobility.

WERN are hosting two free events:

• Tuesday, 20th July at the Somer Centre, Gullock Tyning, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2UH and

• Monday, 20th September at Conygre Hall, North Road, Timsbury, Bath BA2 0JQ.

Doors open at 10 a.m. for browsing and the seminar begins at 11.30 a.m.

For more information contact Michael Auton, MSN Village Agent on: 07392 700765 or email:

WERN (West of England Rural Network, is a charity working with rural communities in South Gloucestershire, Bath & Northeast Somerset, North Somerset & Bristol. We support and work with communities, businesses, social enterprises, organisations, and individuals on a wide range of topics that impact on rural areas. Our two teams of Village Agents (North Somerset and B&NES) are embedded in the rural communities in which they work, providing confidential 1 to 1 support with information and advice. During Covid-19 that support was by phone and online continuing to respond to individual needs.

Our focus is on people living in rural, often remote locations. Rural older residents in particular feel forgotten and ignored, they are certainly out of sight as the social groups they attended have closed since the COVID-19 lockdown was introduced. Once restrictions have been lifted from July 19th, our team of Village Agents will be helping to signpost people to local services, clubs, and groups as they reopen again.