A Dorset voluntary group helping people with leg-related problems has stepped up its services over the past few months – thanks to a new minibus provided by Dorset Community Transport (DCT).
The Best Foot Forward Leg Club, based in Upton, is one of several groups that has benefited after DCT received a new minibus from the Department for Transport’s £25 million Community Transport Minibus Fund.
The Club, which is part of the Lindsay Leg Club Foundation, provides community-based treatment, health promotion, education and on-going care for people of all ages who are experiencing leg-related problems. Since November 2015, DCT has provided the Club’s members with a weekly door-to-door transport service. However, the time slots available for travel were somewhat restricted. Thanks to the new minibus, DCT can now offer the Club much greater flexibility for its members.
Other groups that have benefited from DCT’s new minibus include Bus4Us, whose members live in a residential park in Dorset occupied largely by elderly residents. The park is poorly served by public transport – but DCT’s services mean the residents can now go on a monthly shopping or sightseeing trip. Favourite destinations include the Dolphin Shopping Centre in Poole, Christchurch Quay, Dorchester Market, various garden centres, Salisbury, the New Forest, and the annual Christmas trip to Winchester.
Tim Christian, DCT’s General Manager, said: “DCT already provides door-to-door transport for individuals and community groups across Dorset, but with the Department for Transport-funded minibus we have been able to expand our capacity. The new minibus has enabled us to go above and beyond our usual offering to community groups, and we are able to offer them more flexibility for when they would like to travel. This in turn has led to community groups being able to offer their members an improved service, which we are thrilled about.”
If you are a community group or charity and are interested in transport for your organisation, please get in touch on 01258 287980 or email dorset@ectcharity.co.uk
