Driving Miss Daisy Sheffield and Derbyshire Dales Team Up to Deliver Memorable Supported Short Break
A unique collaboration between Driving Miss Daisy UK franchisees in Sheffield and Derbyshire Dales has helped one client rediscover the joy of travel, culture and countryside exploration through a fully supported short-break experience.
The Client
Regular Driving Miss Daisy Sheffield client, Miss Frances Wood, leads an active lifestyle and had already been using the companion driving service for appointments and local outings around Sheffield. After experiencing the reassurance and flexibility of the service, Frances wanted to take things a step further and revisit something she had greatly missed — travelling further afield and enjoying meaningful days out independently.
With some of the challenges she now faces making solo travel difficult, Frances was looking for a safe, supportive way to enjoy a short holiday while maintaining her independence.
The Challenge
Although Driving Miss Daisy Sheffield had been successfully supporting Frances locally, arranging a multi-day supported break involving accommodation, sightseeing and companionship across a wider area required a collaborative solution.
When Sheffield franchise owner Mark suggested working alongside neighbouring franchisee Steve Tilsley from Driving Miss Daisy Derbyshire Dales, Frances embraced the opportunity to trial a short supported break in the Derbyshire countryside.
The Solution
Frances booked a two-night stay at Wildhive Callow Hall, creating the perfect base for a carefully planned supported holiday experience.
Day One – Sheffield to Derbyshire
Mark from Driving Miss Daisy Sheffield collected Frances from her home in Sheffield and accompanied her on a scenic journey into the Derbyshire Dales. Along the route they stopped in Bakewell before visiting Over Haddon to enjoy the countryside and a gentle riverside walk.
After arriving at the hotel, Mark assisted Frances with check-in and ensured she was comfortably settled for the evening.
Day Two – Cultural Visit Support
The following day, Steve Tilsley from Driving Miss Daisy Derbyshire Dales took over local support responsibilities, collecting Frances from the hotel after breakfast for an accompanied visit to Kedleston Hall.
The day focused on providing companionship, logistical support and reassurance while allowing Frances to enjoy the experience at her own pace. Steve later returned Frances safely to the hotel to relax ahead of the final day.
Day Three – Heritage and Countryside Exploration
On the final day, Mark returned to Derbyshire to accompany Frances home, incorporating further sightseeing stops along the way including Tissington Hall and Arbor Low, the ancient 4,500-year-old stone circle.
After the excursion, Frances was safely accompanied back to her Sheffield home.
The Outcome
The short-break pilot proved highly successful, demonstrating how the Driving Miss Daisy network can extend beyond local transport support to enable meaningful travel experiences and supported holidays.
The collaboration also highlighted the consistency of service standards across different Driving Miss Daisy franchises, allowing clients to confidently access support in multiple regions.
Following the success of the trip, Frances has already arranged further supported travel experiences, including another cultural visit to Derbyshire and a longer future stay in Norfolk supported by other Driving Miss Daisy franchise teams.
What the Client Said
Frances Wood commented:
“I am delighted to have this opportunity to travel in comfort to places that I might not be able to get to without Driving Miss Daisy. Knowing I am supported, safe and not being rushed is very important to me with some of the challenges I now face.
I use the Driving Miss Daisy Sheffield service frequently, but to be able to travel further afield and receive the same focused level of support from other Daisies in different regions is an amazing opportunity for me.”
Franchise Perspectives
Mark from Driving Miss Daisy Sheffield said the experience demonstrated how companion driving services can help people achieve experiences they may previously have believed were no longer possible.
“This trip demonstrates that our service is about much more than appointments and essential journeys. It’s about helping people continue doing the things they love, rediscover old interests and create new experiences with the right support in place.”
Steve Tilsley from Driving Miss Daisy Derbyshire Dales added:
“What this partnership shows is the consistency of care, companionship and client-focused support that clients can expect across the Driving Miss Daisy network. Working together allows us to create solutions that genuinely improve people’s quality of life.”
About Driving Miss Daisy
Driving Miss Daisy UK is a national companion driving and support service with more than 60 local franchises across the UK. The organisation provides reliable, friendly and safe accompanied transport for appointments, shopping, social activities, hospital visits, holidays and more.
