Hertfordshire’s Rural Conference Living, Thriving and Working in East Herts 19th October 2016 Church Farm, Ardeley Workshop Presentation Rural Inclusion, Tewin Community Transport Group Merralyn Sandison http://:tewinvillage.co.uk/transport

Photographs by Les Borg from the “Tour of Tewin” The Village Photographs by Les Borg from the “Tour of Tewin”

Population From the September 2008 Parish Plan, which used 2001 census data, the population was 1,438 with 562 households and had been relatively stable for some years October 2016 the estimated population is 2,000 with 719 households

Location Key Services are located in: Tewin is located on the western edge of East Herts. Key Services are located in: Welwyn Garden City 3.6 – 4.7 miles Old Welwyn 3.7 miles Stevenage 11.5 miles Hertford 3.9 – 4.8 miles

Key Services The Department for Transport indicators for accessibility to vital services includes: Primary and secondary schools Further education institutions General Practitioners Hospitals Town Centres Food Stores Centres of Employment

The changing picture of village life St Peters Church The school The bus service The village shop The Post Office Prescription delivery GP Surgery The garage Farming and rural enterprise The village pubs New housing Traffic Kerb Stones and Street Lights

Activities There are a wide range of activities for all age groups, with three venues, with parking, available for hire, for private parties, weddings, public events, regular daytime and evening groups For people who do not drive or have access to independent transport, the cuts to the bus service, September 2015, are a matter of concern. Poor transport links lead to inequalities in access to public health services, education and work, which, in turn, leads to social isolation and exclusion from what is happening the wider community

Health and Wellbeing Initiatives Include: Support for carers Promoting mental health and advocacy Keeping people out of hospital Maintaining independent living Staying active in the community Connecting and developing individuals and communities Living well with long term conditions

The missing link Wellbeing matters. At a time when there is a widening gap in health inequalities the question has to be asked, how, without an adequate public transport system, can wellbeing be maximised for all in a fair and just way?

Bus Cuts 2015 There is an acknowledgment owing to Kristina Lawson, Tewin Parish Council, for the dedicated effort which Kristina put into trying to save the 388 bus service throughout the public consultation process up until the reduced service became operational September 2015

What people are saying People are experiencing difficulties travelling to work both into the village and out of the village; the school bus is being used (term time) for health related appointments. A lot of money is being spent on taxis or community transport to attend appointments. When no transport is available, appointments are being cancelled. People describe a loss of freedom, feeling fed-up and completely alone, especially at weekends, which in turn are indicators of stress in relation to wellbeing

What we are doing Had it not been for meeting Tim Hayward-Smith, CDA, April 2016, when Rural Isolation was on the agenda of the Village Hall Network Meeting, nothing further might have happened. We have a lot to thank Tim for. He has been instrumental in bringing HCC Community Transport Manager and a representative from EHDC’s Rural Isolation Team to Tewin. Going forward, the plan is to pilot a Saturday service using a 10 seater community mini bus with one wheelchair space and driver.

Where we are going Back to the Parish Council in November with a plan. The lack of transport weekday mornings and evenings still needs to be addressed, particularly when the school bus does not run. The village continues to grow. A growing number of retired people are moving into the village to be close to family and a growing number of people are having to give up driving It is inconceivable that the present bus service and rural isolation is going to become less of a problem.

To conclude What is happening with the Transport Steering Group is consistent with the Community Wellbeing aims to connect and develop individuals and communities through innovative project development Identifying public transport as a need is a challenge. The issue is always the cost of running the bus service. It is rarely seen in relation to the benefit of the wider economy and public health and wellbeing aims to keep people living as independently as possible, as well as possible, for as long as possible.

there is still a way to go but Thank you