Neighbouring villages around Shrivenham are benefiting from a new community transport service, supporting residents to live well and independently within their own communities.

West Vale Mobility has been developed by Shrivenham Parish Council, with funding support from Oxfordshire County Council’s community transport grants and section 106 contributions.

They have also received support from the council funded Community Catalyst programme, which helps to develop care and support opportunities in the local area.

The new service will help transport residents from Shrivenham, Bourton, Watchfield, Longcot and Ashbury to their local health and wellbeing services, including appointments at Elmtree GP surgery and clinics at Great Western Hospital in Swindon.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: 

“Our Oxfordshire Way vision looks to support people to live well and independently within their own communities.

“While many Oxfordshire residents live in larger urban areas, which are well connected, our more rural areas are not always as well served.

“That’s where community transport plays a key role in filling the gaps where public transport isn’t as readily available.”

The programme has been made possible by £18,000 funding from the council’s community transport grants as well as an additional £32,000 from section 106 contributions, ringfenced for local transport provision.

The funding has enabled West Vale Mobility to purchase an adapted Renault Traffic van, designed to transport a passenger in their wheelchair as well as additional people who may be supporting them during their appointment.

If their wheelchair is not up to transport safety standards, West Vale Mobility can provide a wheelchair for the duration of the journey, with enough space to carry their personal mobility chair in the back. 

West Vale Mobility also benefited from support offered by Community Catalysts, a programme funded by Oxfordshire County Council that helps groups and individuals to establish care and support opportunities in the local area.

Anita Wingad, Community Enterprise Catalyst for Oxfordshire, said: 

“I feel so excited and pleased for the team that are about to launch the scheme. They have worked hard to get the right vehicle and all the processes in place for a quality service.

“Local residents who are struggling with transport to help their health and wellbeing will benefit immensely from the wonderful community spirit and drive that all involved have and continue to demonstrate.”

Ian Bailey is a trustee of West Vale Mobility and said: “It’s been a long road getting this project off the ground and we couldn’t have done it without the support of several local groups and organisations.

“First and Last Mile community transport helped with training our drivers, while Faringdon Community Transport offered advice on things like insurance and scheduling. We are sharing our offices with Sustainable Shrivenham who have given us support with the administrative side of the project.

“We’ve also been given ongoing guidance from Anita at Community Catalysts, connecting us with other volunteer organisations and offering support on policies, safeguarding, promotion and marketing.

“It really is a team effort and we’re looking forward to our programme making a real difference to our communities.”

Community transport is part of the voluntary sector and plays a key role in filling gaps in service where public transport is not available. It helps provide safe, accessible, cost-effective, flexible transport run by the community for the community in rural and urban areas.

Community transport can include car clubs, community minibuses, dial-a-ride, lift shares, taxi shares and voluntary car schemes.

More information is available HERE.