Connecting Communities Impact Report

CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
AND CHANGING LIVES
What is Connecting Communities?
Connecting Communities is the transport
service provided by Suffolk County Council
designed to help people travel around the
county who might not have access to a
regular bus service.
In essence, it’s about making life possible
for thousands of people across the county
who are unable to get out and about.
The services are delivered by five main
community transport providers, and some
local sub-contractors, all operating on a
non-profit basis for the good of their local
communities. Each provider works in a
specific geographical area (see map, p.12),
and offers a mix of different services – from
minibuses to community cars – depending
on the needs of their local area.
Why is it important?
Whether it’s getting to work, going to
college, attending a medical appointment
or getting out and about shopping or
seeing friends and family, transport plays a
crucial role in all our lives.
But transport is not always available,
affordable or accessible for everyone to
use. Sometimes, people live in isolated
villages away from normal bus routes or
public transport links. And for some people
– particularly those who are elderly or
disabled – the transport that is available is
just not appropriate to their needs.
Whatever their situation, the lack of
appropriate transport prevents these
people from getting on with their lives,
engaging with their communities or
accessing crucial local services.
For the community transport organisations
operating Connecting Communities
services across Suffolk, their purpose is to
solve these challenges for all those who
need their help and support.
What is Community Transport?
Community transport organisations are
charities and social enterprises who have
been set up to provide safe, affordable
transport for people unable to access
mainstream transport options.
They combine this important social mission
with a clear public sector ethos and a
strong commitment to professionalism and
customer service.
Although they support a large number
of elderly people, community transport
providers aim to make it possible for people
of all ages and abilities to connect with
friends, family, services and opportunities
in their local communities, including access
to employment and education.
“We used to have a traditional image of
being just for older people – but in fact we
have a much broader customer base,” one
operator explains. “This is about providing
resources for everybody in the community.”
Staffed by a mix of paid employees
and volunteers, community transport
organisations operate on a non-profit
basis, with any surpluses invested into
improving their services. Where there is a
challenge, they will always try to provide
a solution. As one manager put it: “I hate
turning people away when they ask us
for help because if they contacted us, it’s
because there is a need.”
Another operator explains: “We don’t
compete with any scheduled bus service
but if you can’t get to the bus we’ll see if
we can take you somewhere to meet it on
the main bus route. And if there isn’t a bus
service nearby that works for you then we
can do the whole, end-to-end journey.”
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