Eat Chat & Shop Scheme Lorraine Miles Neath Port Talbot CVS

Background Pilot Taxi Card Scheme The scheme was funded by the Welsh Assembly Government’s ‘Community Transport Concessionary Fare Initiative’ 500 members – Designated Wards Eligibility -persons with a concessionary bus pass but unable to use public transport through age/ disability Tokens to the value of £60 were sent out on a quarterly basis.

Medical appointments Social opportunities Shopping Although successful the scheme came to an end in June 2010 as it wasn’t seen as a sustainable model. The funding remained in order to set up new initiatives and a Dial a Ride Scheme was developed Main use of the tokens:

Consultation & Feedback Initially Taxi card members were reluctant to use the Dial a Ride Scheme and it was feared that the more vulnerable individuals would become isolated. Consultation events were organised and feedback from members gathered, the 3 aspects of the scheme that people most valued were: Having door to door transport Being able to socialise Go shopping Based on the feedback a pilot project was established by Neath Port Talbot CVS which encompass the 3 areas ‘Eat Chat & Shop’ operated twice a week There is no transport cost to the individuals using the Dial-a-Ride scheme as individuals use their bus pass as a means of admission as they would if using public transport. The only actual cost is to purchase a lunch.

Eat Chat & Shop The ‘Eat, Chat & Shop’ scheme was set up to try and support the needs of taxi card members with door to door transport through Dial-a-Ride, a social lunch followed by grocery shopping. The scheme filled the gap for individuals who were unable to access public transport to enable them to be as independent as possible also to try and alleviate any further social isolation

The aim of the project was to ensure individuals unable to access public transport can live as independently as possible. The objectives of the project: Live independently – ensuring individuals are fully integrated in society. Social interaction – enabling individuals to interact and enjoy the company of others, reducing isolation. Practical solution to shopping Access to appropriate transport

Comments “What a great time, wonderful” “ I have met some lovely people, and it stops me staring at the four walls” “It gets me out of the house, made new friends” “The scheme is great, I love it”

Sustainability After the scheme was proved successful it was passed over to the local community transport organisation for delivery, through Dial a Ride. The service continues to grow and operates twice a week The scheme operates through a section 22 permit, therefore bus passes are used, no charge to the individual – only for lunch Helps the dial a ride scheme be sustainable as the costs are claimed back through the Community Transport Concessionary Fare Initiative