Need a lift? Could do with a Visitor? Care In Motion is here for regional South Australians
Most people come to Care in Motion because they need a lift. A medical appointment in the city. A specialist visit that can’t be missed. Or trips that are too far, too hard, and impossible without help.
But for many, that first ride turns into something more.
Care in Motion is based in Minlaton. Its roots are firmly planted on the Yorke Peninsula but it is now supporting people across 13 council areas in regional South Australia. It started as a response to a well-known problem – transport. Living in rural South Australia means distances are long and public options are thin. Family is not always close by to close the gap, leaving many vulnerable to isolation, especially when asking for help feels hard.
Medical transport remains the priority for Care in Motion, but they also run social transport, shopping trips and everyday errands. The kind of trips that help people stay mobile, active and connected to their community and families. And that connection matters more than people realise.
Christine Finds Peace of Mind with Care in Motion
For clients like Christine, this service has been crucial. Since her husband died, and with driving in Adelaide no longer an option, getting to the city, seeing family, or heading out socially became harder than it needed to be. Care in Motion filled that gap.
“I get picked up and dropped off at the door,” Christine said. “There’s a lot of peace of mind in that.”
The service has helped her stay connected to family and doing the things that matter, without the stress of traffic, parking, or relying on others to rearrange their lives.
Care in Motion driver and former Police Officer Tom is one of many volunteers who give their time to keep the service running. He upstumped and moved to the Yorke Peninsula to spend his retirement years by the seaside. Along the way, it was a no-brainer for Tom to volunteer and help his community.
“There are a lot of clients who don’t have family nearby,” Tom said. “And like a lot of rural people, they have to travel to Adelaide to see specialists.”
Signing up as a volunteer was simple too. “The girls in the office are fantastic and help with the process.”
Tom’s met plenty of characters along the way, but what keeps him coming back is pretty simple. “If I wasn’t doing this, what would I be doing?” he said. “It’s the satisfaction that you can help out.”
Not Just Transport, Care In Motion Also Runs A Visitor Program
Mary, a former nurse and health worker from the Clare Valley, is a volunteer visitor through the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme. She visits Kay once a week.
“The joy is simply giving, and seeing a smile on her face,” Mary said. “I love hearing Kay’s stories and being in her world. I think I get more out of it than she does.”
With no family close by, Kay was, at times, very isolated. Now, an hour a week, a cuppa and a chinwag has made all the difference.
Care in Motion relies heavily on volunteers to function. Drivers, visitor volunteers and community members are the backbone of the service. That reliance shapes how the organisation operates. Support stays personal, processes stay practical and the focus stays on people.
Alongside community transport, Care in Motion acts as a Services Australia Agency, providing local support for people who need help dealing with government services. For many, having that assistance close to home makes a huge difference.
As Chief Executive David McDonald says, “We’re not just moving people around. We’re helping them stay connected to their community, which is just as important as the appointment itself.”
To find out more about Care in Motion, head to their website.
