New Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust chair aiming to slash waiting times
Philip Coward has taken over the role from Robert Hiscox
The new chairman of the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust says seeing the work they do convinced him to take the role.
Philip Coward - who also chairs Mere-based company Hillbrush - takes over from former chairman Robert Hiscox, who's stepped down after 25 years in the role.
Philip joined van with operative Mick Leighfield to find out more about what the charity does.
And it was this trip that inspired Philp to take the job: "I was so impressed with what I saw, and depressed as well, and I thought, well, I've just got to get involved in this," he said.
The charity visits some of Wiltshire's most vulnerable people, including the over 60s, people with disabilities and survivors of abuse, helping them with home security and providing reassurance of their safety.
He praised Mick's skill in helping people feel safe.
He said: "The skill that he had was to actually sit down with the people we saw and to reassure them that we were there and that we were looking after them and they could always contact us, giving them Peace of Mind and the reassurance that he gave them. It was amazing."
Philip is targeting growing the charity and slashing the time people have to wait for a visit from the Trust.
At present, people wait around six weeks after a referral to them.
Philip said: "The waiting times have been probably a bit too long recently and we need to reduce that, but that depends on how many referrals we're getting as a charity in the work we've got to do.
"Obviously you don't want to make the charity too big that you've got too much capacity and people are standing around."
Philip added that it's vital the public continues to support the charity.
In 2024, the charity supported almost 1,200 victims of crime and more than 300 people suffering domestic abuse, but it receives no statutory funding and has to raise more than £300,000 a year to maintain the service.
He said: "We are an independent charity and we do an invaluable job.
"There shouldn't be anyone who's over 60 or you know someone who has registered disabilities or who's getting abused who can't contact us for help and I think you know that's it's really important in this day and age."