Our “BRINGO” accessible community transport project carried out 1705 individual journeys between April 2019 and mid-March 2020. Demand responsive enabling Older / Vulnerable and / or disabled people to make essential journeys from their doorstep across Rural North Northumberland. In an area, where little or no public transport exists, it is absolutely crucial that affordable, accessible and appropriate transport is provided. Some Older People are literally trapped within their homes because of mobility problems and cannot even access services within their own local rural community such as shopping, leisure and social activities. In an evaluation carried out in 2016 members of our “BRINGO” Community Transport Project when asked to describe the service in one word, the following comments were recorded: “A Lifeline.” “Vital, necessary, dependable, godsend.” “Excellent.” “Good.” “Invaluable.”

What we'll deliver:

• We will purchase a new small wheelchair accessible vehicle

Why it's a great idea:

This will improve, continue and increase our Rural Community Transport provision across a large rural area. Allowing Older People without access to transport, who are isolated, lonely, with little opportunity to get out. Operating from Belford, delivered across Rural North Northumberland, to Villages, Farm Steadings and Hamlets between Alnwick and Berwick, also from the coastal area of Seahouses inland to the Wooler / Milfield / Cornhill areas. Where little or no public transport exists, it is absolutely key that affordable, accessible and appropriate transport is provided, so that Older and Vulnerable People can access vital services, businesses and activities according to their individual needs, improving quality of life, promoting independence, as well as reducing the rural geographical and social isolation experienced by many. To enable this service to happen, Bell View recruits, trains and supervises a team of 10 trained volunteer drivers.

Steps to get it done:

• Order and purchase vehicle for operation in Spring 2020

Delivered by Bell View a registered Charity in Belford, Rural North Northumberland. Our key aims include: Enabling Older and Vulnerable People to live independently in the home of their choice. Promoting the physical and mental well-being of Older and Vulnerable People. Reducing Older and Vulnerable People’s social and geographical isolation and increasing their participation in decision making.