“Providing a lift where there wasn’t one before.”
This Challenge Poverty Week (CPW), our team at CVS Falkirk is highlighting the efforts of our local third sector and communities in tackling poverty across the Falkirk District.
Challenge Poverty Week was launched by the Poverty Alliance in 2013, as a way to draw attention to the injustice of poverty in Scotland, and show that collective action, based on justice and compassion, can create solutions. For the campaign’s 10th year, the Poverty Alliance has announced different themes for each day of the campaign week, which we believe offer the perfect opportunity to spotlight the efforts of the third sector:
- Monday 2nd October: Communities & Volunteers
- Tuesday 3rd October: Housing
- Wednesday 4th October: Adequate Incomes
- Thursday 5th October: Transport
- Friday 6th October: Food
- Saturday 7th October and Sunday 8th October: Reflection
Thursday 5th October: Transport
Today’s theme looks at Transport; CPW aims to help create a Scotland where we can all get to where we need to go, recognising the impact that transport costs – including fuel costs, vehicle maintenance and insurance, and public transport – can have on everything from childcare options, employability, and even isolation and mental wellbeing.
One of today’s local groups is Dial-a-Journey, which operates throughout the Forth Valley area, providing a “friendly and reliable door-to-door transport service” for people with mobility problems, who are unable to use conventional public transport.
Their membership-based pilot transport service, Stay Connected, is a newer project (launched April 2023) designed to help vulnerable people in Falkirk District stay connected, attending local community groups and social activities in the Falkirk Council area.
Supported and funded by Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), the project aims to combat loneliness and isolation, helping people who are unable to access transport due to mobility requirements, cost, or those who rely solely on others to access transport – providing a break for carers as well.
Martin Kenny, Business Development Officer at Dial-a-Journey said:
“This is a targeted transport service aimed at some of the most isolated people within our community, who otherwise wouldn’t get the chance to attend these activities they enjoy and meet up with friends old & new more regularly.
“Simply by providing a lift where there wasn’t one before, we can open up possibilities, give a boost to an individual’s wellbeing and bring communities together.”
The pilot service will be for identified individuals who need the support because of the cost, or health issues and just might need that extra bit of help getting places, to community groups and organisations funded by Falkirk HSCP. Groups and organisations can refer existing and new members, only if they would not have been able to attend gatherings or activities without the help of the new Stay Connected project.
Organisations and community groups can refer an individual to be supported by the Stay Connected project by completing and returning an application form (linked for your convenience).
Dial-a-Journey is reaching out to those who have used their Stay Connected project (in partnership with Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP)) for their thoughts and feedback.
They are looking to hear all thoughts, both good things and what would help improve the project.
Further information (including how to submit your response) is available via the full news article.
For further information, about Stay Connected, or Dial-a-Journey’s other services and the support they can offer, please contact Martin Kenny by email: martin@dial-a-journey.org
Alternatively, visit their website or Facebook page.
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