The idea
To raise funds to buy a minibus which will service the grass routes area In North Woolwhich & Silvertown:
A pick up service Monday-Friday from local primary schools for RDLAC’s After School Club, to enable working parents access to full time jobs.
A circular bus for the Royal Docks, running mornings and weekends to community hubs, local activities, parks and green spaces, taking parents & older residents to doctor surgeries or Supermarkets, ideally using volunteer drivers
Picking up and distributing regular donations for local food banks and community cafes (e.g. Tesco and Lidl through Fairshare, City Harvest, Community Food Enterprise, neighbourly, Newham food bank)
Upcyling furniture, local volunteers (from partner organisations e.g. Craftory) picking up unwanted furniture from residents, refurbish the furniture and resell for affordable costs with proceeds going back into charity activities
Model Railway club and other local groups taking children or pensioners on trips
What we'll deliver
- Provide a pick up service to 5 local schools for After School Clubs
- Organise a circular bus route to service the local grass routes area
- Use the minibus to pick up and distribute foodbank and community cafe donations
- Use the minibus to transport furniture for upcycling
- Make the minibus available for other community use where needed and as suggested by community members
Why it's a great idea
The project will have a strong impact on the entire community, people of all ages, cultures & backgrounds improving access to facilities, services and the green spaces throughout the area
This project will also offer the opportunity for local people to gain skills and experience in terms of diary management / route planning / record keeping etc.
The main grass routes project will offer upskilling and apprenticeships varying from brewing to furniture design & building for the outdoor spaces. The mini bus will help enable this through overcoming transport barriers, e.g for unemployed people that cannot afford transport
The minibus will be accessible and be able to have different configurations to support multiple uses
The project will offer improved social inclusion for isolated groups as well as improved inter-community connectivity in the local area in terms of higher footfall for shops and activities
We would utilize the Mayor of London's scrappage scheme for the old minibus
Steps to get it done
- Purchase a new electric or hybrid minibus
- Train volunteer and paid drivers on the new minibus
- Use the minibus on a daily basis to pick up from primary schools
- Plan circular bus route with local hubs and community members
- Use of the minibus as a regular circular route
- Regular use of mini bus for other community use - Suggestions from community members for use of the minibus
This is part of a larger project, with the minibus servicing 27 green spaces throughout North Woolwich & Silvertown. Grass routes is a project to stitch together 27 outdoor green spaces throughout the area along Albert Road, through common themes and to activate them allowing local community members access to these spaces as safe, clean environments with activities for people of all cultures and ages. This is a community project in collaboration with 20 different organisations as well as local residents.
North Woolwich & Silvertown specifically are cut off by 2 bridges across the water either side making the area isolated and difficult for transport links
The idea is for the community to also be able to add their own ideas for use of the minibus
All volunteer or paid drivers of the minibus will be offered training and need to have the relevant valid insurance and driving license
Tate & Lyle have offered free parking and charging on their site for an electric vehicle
