Older people are vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness as their mobility reduces and confidence begins to wane, leaving them unable to leave their homes on their own. Over half of all older people consider television as their main form of company. Many older people tell us that the transport that we provide gives them their only opportunity to socialise with other people outside of their home and keeps them active within their local community.

We will increase the number of volunteer drivers who provide friendly, escorted transport so that older people who are too frail to use public transport can still meet up with friends and engage in our 22 social groups, including reminiscence, bridge and singing, and attend our Christmas Party. Our older service users in particular prefer volunteer drivers (compared to the minibus or a taxi service) as the journeys are shorter and they enjoy the relationship that develops with the driver.