ECT Charity’s CEO Anna Whitty reflects on why Community Transport matters as David Cameron, the then Prime Minister, gives the sector a special mention
Last month I had the great privilege of attending a reception hosted by David Cameron, the then Prime Minister, at Number 10 Downing Street to celebrate Keeping Britain Moving. Fellow transport leaders and workers were also in attendance, as well as other Community Transport colleagues.
The opening speech was delivered by Patrick McLoughlin MP, then Secretary of State for Transport, who highlighted the important work conducted by the transport sector - and subsequently, we also heard from the Prime Minister, who recognised the issue of isolation in our communities and the crucial role that community transport organisations play in helping address this problem.
Too often, the general public as well as colleagues in other parts of the transport sector wrongly assume that having ‘community’ in our name means that we form part of the local council. However, as independent charities, community transport organisations provide transport for people who fall between the gaps of statutory transport provision. Many of our passengers are house-bound individuals and so we can make a huge difference to these lonely and isolated members of our communities.
It struck me that for once, in a room full of people working in the transport sector, community transport was seen as an equal partner to mainstream transport services.
We stood tall and proud amongst fellow transport colleagues - just as we did when we delivered the accessible shuttles for disabled spectators at high-profile international events such as London 2012 and the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Times are challenging for public sector budgets, but we have an opportunity to show that community transport can be the solution for the commissioners and policymakers who want to build services that deliver quality, at the same time as supporting those in our community who are most in need.
ECT Charity’s report “Why Community Transport Matters” provides community transport organisations with a method to show local commissioners the social value of community transport journeys. With Deloitte’s help, we calculated the economic cost of lonely and isolated people across the UK, and how much public money could be saved by using community transport. Not only does community transport save the nation huge sums of money, but by helping people get out and about, it also helps people be healthier and happier.
At this Number 10 reception, community transport mattered!
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