Connex Community Support and Bakewell & Eyam Community Transport are registered charities, both of which have provided community transport for more than two decades, across the Derbyshire Dales and High Peak. We work together to provide transport for those who are unable to use public transport because of their age, disability or rural exclusion: enabling people to get to medical appointments or to social activities.
Community Transport takes many forms: we operate car schemes, minibuses and wheelchair accessible vehicles. Our services are a lifeline to many – but we know that not everyone knows about us or that volunteers lie at the heart of our work.
For those of you not yet in the know, our car schemes provide one-to one, door-to-door transport using our friendly, reliable team of volunteers and their cars, across the High Peak and Dales. We take people wherever they need to go: to both medical appointments and to social ones. We pride ourselves on the quality of our support. Mary, from Ashbourne says: “Wonderful service, so kind and helpful. I couldn’t manage without you.”
We also operate minibuses and specially adapted vehicles for those who need a little extra help. Dial-a-ride transport can be booked by those who need accessible vehicles to get to their destination and minibuses are used to provide social trips and group transport for organisations.
Our door-to-door minibus adventures take us to a number of different venues across the High Peak and Dales (see local press for details), such as garden centres, shopping venues, cafes and pubs, or places of interest. We have also provided group transport for a whole host of organisations, including History Groups; Lunch Clubs; Scouts; Guides; Bird Study Groups; Lunch Clubs; Theatre Groups; W.I.’s and Art Groups. We will try to help any group which needs transport!
There is a charge for our services to cover our costs, but we aim to keep expenses at a minimum and we will always let you know in advance how much your journey will be and who will be collecting you from your door.
As Tabitha attests, we couldn’t do this without our super volunteers:
“Thank you for the kindness and caring support provided by your drivers. This has meant so much for us during this time.. [through the pandemic]…All the drivers have been so kind and helpful – I don’t think we could have survived without them”
Most of our drivers are volunteers and we are hugely grateful for their time. If you have a little bit of time on your hands, why not contact us today to find out how rewarding helping volunteering can be.
