Warwickshire-based charity welcomes actor Patrick Robinson as its new patron

A Warwickshire-based charity has welcomed actor Patrick Robinson as its new patron.

Patrick joins VASA at a crucial moment in the charity’s history.

VASA’s volunteer-led community transport service takes passengers to medical and social inclusion appointments and, critically now, VASA’s volunteers are also driving the most vulnerable amongst us to their Coronavirus vaccination appointments.

Patrick Robinson has strong connections to the area, having moved to Stratford in 1986, after being offered a contract with the RSC and it is where his children and grandchildren still live.

Born in London to Jamaican parents and the youngest of seven, Patrick said the move to Warwickshire was ‘a huge step not only in my career as it was my first job, but also in relocating, having never left London'.

Most people will know Patrick from his time on Casualty, his 2013 appearance on Strictly Come Dancing and most recently the BBC film Sitting in Limbo about the Windrush scandal.

Patrick was introduced to the work of VASA by Janis, the communities manager, and he was very moved by what he saw.

He said: “I’m so impressed with the friendly and safe door-to-door transport service which enables people to get to medical and social appointments too.

"This service sits brilliantly with the work done out in the community to help reduce loneliness and isolation with Memory Clubs offered for people with early Dementia.

"VASA works so hard to make sure clients have a fun and stimulating day, whilst giving their carers some extremely valuable time off.”

Patrick said he will bring energy and drive to the role of Patron and plans to ‘support all those who need it, to do the work needed to make a huge positive difference to all those people who need our help'.

He has already got stuck in, spending a day helping to resurrect an overgrown allotment that VASA is turning into a community allotment.

To book a volunteer driver or for general VASA enquiries call 01789 262889.