COVENTRIANS experiencing loneliness and isolation are benefitting from a new partnership between Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and regional community transport operators to help people make new friends and get much-needed support.
The ‘tackling loneliness with transport: let’s chat’ scheme is sending mini buses into local communities for people to enjoy a cuppa and a chat.
The mini-bus also offers a space for residents to get advice and find out about services and support groups in their area.
The scheme is funded by a £460,000 department for transport grant and is available in Coventry as well as Walsall, Wolverhampton, South and North East Birmingham, Sandwell and Dudley.
It was launched in November and has seen over 100 people aged between 26 and 99 attend, who have received advice on how to access support to energy bills, mental health, food banks, housing, transport, health and well-being, financial advice, and employment and training.
The scheme also offers low-cost, door-to-door transport for those who want to attend any activities or services they hear about at the community hubs.
Last year, over three million people in Britain described themselves as chronically lonely.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “Any steps we can take to tackle loneliness and isolation in our communities is very welcome indeed.
“The pilot Let’s Chat scheme has been hugely successful and that’s why I’m so pleased to see it not only continue but also now extended into other parts of the West Midlands.
“Our public transport network plays a vital role in connecting local people right across our region and now alongside our partners, we’ve found another way it can connect locals.”
Visit https://www.tfwm.org.uk/campaigns/let-s-chat/ to find out where the mini buses are stopping in Coventry.
