What is the Community Transport Programme?
The Community Transport programme is funded to work in the local authority districts in Lincolnshire of South Holland, Boston Borough and East Lindsey with existing schemes and any potential new ones, to develop community transport availability and accessibility especially in some of the most rural areas.
Currently most of the community transport available is via voluntary car schemes who presently focus on offering their service for medical appointments only.
This leaves a lot of unmet need surrounding social and mental wellbeing, as many members of the community are isolated and without access to transport to maintain relationships, attend groups to support their hobbies and interests or access their local high streets easily.
How do We Aim to Achieve This?
We need to increase the number of volunteer drivers within existing schemes and support new ones to enable them to cover both medical and social journeys.
We are fully committed to supporting schemes. By following this link to our online volunteer platform you can promote volunteering opportunities, right through to following this link to use our DBS service, we provide for suitable candidates, all through the Community and Development and Volunteering team who can also assist with group support and exploring funding options.
What Does the Programme Hope to Achieve?
At the end of the programme, alongside the increased access and subsequent usage of community transport, we aim to gather positive feedback from the local community about their awareness and experience of what is available in their area.
Rachel Gmajner the programme officer is confident that we make a huge impact.
Want to Know More?
If you are part of a local scheme that you would like to make us aware of, or if you would like to get involved with community transport in your area, then please get in touch and we can support you.
You can contact us from the provided information if you would like to know about the community transport options that are available within your area.
Funded by UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Lincolnshire Community Voluntary Car Scheme Contacts
Below is a table of contacts for voluntary car schemes in Lincolnshire to help you find your local voluntary transport scheme.
| Area | Telephone Number | Booking Line Times |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Community Transport | 01205 360183 | 10.30am to 2:00pm - Monday to Friday |
| Louth and surrounding areas | 01507 609535 | 9:00am to 4:00pm - Monday to Friday |
| Sutton-on-Sea and surrounding areas | 01507 442502 | 9:00am to 1:00pm - Monday to Friday |
| Spalding and Cowbit | 07514 971628 | 9:00am to 12noon and 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Monday to Friday |
| Pinchbeck | 07514 971781 | 10:00am to 2:00pm - Monday to Friday |
| Holbeach | 07514 964713 | N/A |
| Crowland | 01733 211797 | N/A |
| Long Sutton, Gedney, Lutton, Sutton St James and Sutton Bridge | 07514 971761 | N/A |
| Moulton, Weston and Whaplode | 01775 719290 | 10:00am to 4:00pm - Monday to Friday |
| Gosberton, Quadring GNS | 07808 326511 | N/A |
| Deeping St Nicholas GNS | 07946 057604 | 9:00am to 5:00pm - Monday to Friday |
| Nettleham and Cherry Willingham Medical Practice Car Scheme | 01522 751717 | Via Nettleham Surgery 8:00am to 6:30pm - Monday to Friday |
| Saxilby with Ingleby Car Scheme | 07530 327664 | 8:30am to 9:30am - Monday to Friday |
| Welton PDA | 08444 773072 | N/A |
| Heckington area Voluntary Car Service | 07787 440000 | 8:30am to 10:00am - Monday to Friday |
| Navenby Voluntary Car Scheme | 01522 811132 | 10:00am to 12:00noon - Tuesday to Friday |
| Ruskington and Dorrington Parish Council Hospital Voluntary Car Scheme | 01526 833630 | 9:00am to 4:00pm - Monday to Friday |
| AFCA VCS (Voluntary Car Scheme) | 07879 278681 | 9:00am to 12:00noon - Monday to Thursday |
| Deepings and Glinton Patient Participation Group Car Scheme | 07858 373912 | 2:00pm to 4:00pm - Monday to Friday |
| Grantham area Community Transport | 01476 978916 | 9:00am to 12:00noon - Monday, Wednesday and Friday |
| Lincoln area Dial a Ride and Voluntary Car Service | 01522 544983 | 9:00am to 4:30pm - Monday to Friday and 9:00am to 1:00pm - Saturday |
South and East Lincolnshire Community Transport Minibus Contacts
Below is a table of contacts for community minibus transport in South and East Lincolnshire to help you find your local voluntary transport scheme in this area.
| Area | Telephone Number | Booking Line Times |
|---|---|---|
| South and East Lincolnshire Community Minibus Schemes | Only available to groups and not for indivdual use | N/A |
| Hope House Mablethorpe | 01507 478995 | N/A |
| Crowland Cares | 01733 211797 | N/A |
| Holbeach Community Bus | 01406 490361 | N/A |
| Wolds Community Transport | 01472 399207 | N/A |
Passenger Case Studies
Call Connect has been vital for a lady in her 50s who lives in Spalding and due to a number of health problems cannot use the normal bus service as she cannot stand and wait.
Call Connect Plus helps her to attend a craft group in Spalding whenever she is well enough to attend.
Before being able to go out to this group she was always feeling depressed but this bus has given her some freedom and independence back.
We met a gentleman named Lee affected by visual impairments who has to attend appointments in London which previously his wife would drive him too. Sadly his wife passed away and he was left having to find an alternative way to get there.
His daughter would help when she could but having to take annual leave if she was able to is not an ideal solution and left him feeling anxious about whether he would always be able to attend when required.
We sign posted him to an appropriate volunteer car scheme and he found out he is eligible for free journeys including an escort to help him navigate the hospital, however the driver is also able to assist if he needs to go alone in future.
Lee on how the Volunteer Car Scheme has helped
"The reassurance of qualifying for free journeys and having an escort to help me navigate the hospital, alleviates the stress and worry of potentially missing an appointment."
"I know all of the drivers, who are so lovely and so kind. They will always ensure that I get to the correct unit at any hospital I need to go to."
Sutton On Sea Community Voluntary Car Service
"Thank you so much, you really made a difference and I appreciate your kindness."
South Holland Parish Voluntary Car Service
"This is a wonderful service, I would have been stuck so many times for hospital appointments. My thanks to all the wonderful volunteers."
Boston Community Transport
Become a Volunteer Driver
Do you own a car and want to meet new people and make a difference in your community?
Volunteer drivers are an essential part of community transport, for example they:
- Help fight loneliness and isolation whilst building new friendships
- Work with others who believe everyone should be able to get where they need to go
- Become part of the solution for breaking down barriers to transport
If you enjoy driving and have your own vehicle and have time to spare, then this could be the volunteer opportunity for you.
Community transport is a much needed resource to help connect some of the most isolated and vulnerable members of our community with each other, their families and their friends, as well as enjoyable social activities and essential medical appointments.
You will meet new people who may have no alternative access to transport and without you may not be able to leave their home or families and would miss out on important social activities, which could be because their isolated location makes public transport inaccessible or unaffordable.
The difference you could make is immeasurable and passengers who currently use local schemes comment that their local voluntary car drivers help them to maintain their independence, and is a vital option to be able to use this service.
You will be reimbursed for your mileage and any out of pocket expenses and you can choose how much time you offer. An enhanced DBS check is required and will be arranged by the scheme coordinator.
If you would like to know more about being a volunteer driver in your area then please get in touch with us. We can discuss the requirements and help put you in touch with the scheme in your area.
Contact Information
Video
Please take a look at our YouTube video below which gives an insight into community transport in South and East Linconshire.
Partners
