A new partnership between Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and community transport operators across the region is helping to connect people experiencing loneliness and social isolation with new friends and vital support services.
Over three million people across Britain have described themselves as chronically lonely in 2022* – equal to the population of the West Midlands.
Through the Tackling Loneliness with Transport: Let’s Chat scheme, TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), is sending mini buses into communities to provide residents with a safe space to enjoy a cuppa and a chat, and to get advice, or find out about local services and support groups in their area.
The Let's Chat scheme is funded by a £460,000 grant from the Department for Transport. It is now available in:
Since being launched at the end of November, over 100 residents aged between 26 to 99 have engaged with the service and been signposted to help with a range of issues such as how to access support for energy bills, mental health, food banks, housing, transport, health and wellbeing, financial advice, and employment and training.
In 2023, Let’s Chat will aim to reach even more people when it is expanded further with more Community Hubs set to be established in bus stations in Coventry, Dudley, Walsall, and West Bromwich. A hub is already open at Bilston Bus Station every Monday and Friday.
The funding is also supporting passengers to attend any activities or services they hear about when attending the Community Hubs with low-cost, door-to-door transport for people living in the scheme area who might need a helping hand to get there.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA Chair, recently visited the Let’s Chat bus, run by Community Transport Group, when it pulled into Asda’s car park in Oldbury.
The Mayor said: “Any steps we can take to tackle loneliness and isolation in our communities – especially at Christmas time – is very welcome indeed.
“The pilot Let’s Chat scheme has been hugely successful and that’s why I’m so pleased to see it not only continue but also now extended into other parts of the West Midlands. Our public transport network plays a vital role in connecting local people right across our region and now alongside our partners we’ve found another way it can connect locals.”
Liz Rowe, operations director at Community Transport Group, said: “We have spoken with a lady who has recently lost her husband and was finding it difficult to cope with everyday things. Our team member helped her with information on various topics, giving her some confidence to begin to sort things out for herself again.
“We have also spoken to people who are just experiencing loneliness and isolation and need some company. One gentleman stayed on the vehicle for over an hour, just having a chat and enjoying interacting with other people.
“The project will become even more vibrant once the Community Hubs open, and the offer of reduced rate transport will allow people to begin to socialise once more and have the confidence to get out and about to meet people.”
Cllr Ian Ward, WMCA portfolio holder for transport and leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Loneliness and isolation is a hidden epidemic, but studies consistently show that public transport provides a vital lifeline for many people who might otherwise feel isolated or lonely. Hopefully this new scheme will make a big difference to people who might otherwise struggle to make social connections.”
More information about the Let’s Chat and where the buses stop off around the region is available through the TfWM website.
*Campaign to End Loneliness: www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/about-the-campaign/
ENDS
