By £5 million funding to tackle loneliness in the East Midlands
Funding has been awarded to 12 organisations across England and in the East Midlands to understand how transport can play a role in helping people who are feeling lonely.
Pilot projects will receive a share of the £5 million funding including support for older people using public transport after the pandemic, autism awareness training for staff across the transport network and a group electric cycling scheme.
Millions of people across the nation are struggling with feelings of loneliness, which were exacerbated by the pandemic.
The Government said they are “committed to tackling loneliness through building the evidence base for what can alleviate this problem.”
Findings from the pilots will be used to inform how future transport schemes can contribute to reducing loneliness in communities.
Minister Baroness Vere said: “Loneliness affects millions of people across the UK. Transport can help us solve this problem by connecting us to people, places, and experiences.
“Congratulations to the organisations that secured funding for their proposals. This is a great opportunity to improve future transport schemes and shape the national conversation on loneliness.
“We will continue to work closely with transport providers and community groups to build an inclusive and accessible transport network.”
Vista’s Supporting lonely people with sight loss scheme will make public transport more accessible for people with sight loss in the East Midlands region.
Vista will provide information on all local transport options to each person registered with sight loss in their preferred format; deliver accessibility training for local transport providers; and improve the accessibility of key transport hubs by auditing and then funding improvements.
Community Transport Association will support community transport operators around the country to extend their reach to lonely groups they don’t currently support, expand existing services, and create volunteering opportunities to recruit people at risk of social isolation and loneliness.
