- nearly £5 million has been allocated for pilot projects to
understand how transport can be used to alleviate loneliness
- government has partnered with 12 organisations across England
to deliver pilot projects targeting people who are most at risk
of loneliness
- the projects will be evaluated to develop an evidence base
for how transport policies can reduce the number of people
feeling lonely
Funding has today (23 May 2022) been awarded to 12 organisations
across England with the aim of understanding how transport can
play a role in helping people who are feeling lonely.
Pilot projects receiving a
share of the £5 million funding include support for older
people using public transport after the pandemic, autism
awareness training for staff across the transport network and a
group electric cycling scheme.
Millions of people across the nation are struggling with feelings
of loneliness, which were exacerbated by the pandemic. The
government is committed to tackling loneliness, including through
building the evidence base for what can alleviate this problem.
Findings from the pilots will be used to inform how future
transport schemes can contribute to reducing loneliness in
communities.
Minister Baroness Vere said:
Loneliness affects millions of people across the UK. Transport
can help us solve this problem by connecting us to people, places
and experiences.
Congratulations to the organisations that secured funding for
their proposals. This is a great opportunity to improve future
transport schemes and shape the national conversation on
loneliness.
We will continue to work closely with transport providers and
community groups to build an inclusive and accessible transport
network.
Age UK’s Travelling Companions scheme will involve volunteers
across England encouraging and supporting older people to
reconnect with their communities, including using public
transport again after the prolonged period of enforced isolation
caused by the pandemic.
Hannorah Lee, Director of Partnerships at Age UK, said:
Age UK is delighted to have been awarded funding from the
Tackling Loneliness With Transport Fund. Around 1.2 million older
people in the UK often feel lonely, which can have a devastating
impact on their mental and physical health, and the pandemic made
the situation worse.
Age UK’s Travelling Companions scheme will help significant
numbers of older people to get back on public transport and go
out and about once more. Best of all, it will have lasting
benefits for them, improving their quality of life and supporting
them to feel part of their communities again.
National Autistic Society’s Driving Change for Autistic People
project will offer training to transport providers across
England, ensuring that their staff have an increased
understanding of autism – removing barriers for autistic people
who wish to use public transport to reduce their loneliness.
Christine Flintoft-Smith, Head of Autism Accreditation at the
National Autistic Society, said:
Autistic people represent a huge part of our society – around 1
in 100 people in the UK. And they need to travel to school, work
and to the shops just like everyone else.
But some autistic people can feel so anxious about travelling on
public transport that they find it hard to leave the house at
all. It’s not just worries about crowds or a sudden diversion
that can trigger intense anxiety. It’s also concerns about
whether other passengers will stare or tut if they do become
overwhelmed.
We hope our Driving Change for Autistic People project will
remove barriers for autistic people who wish to use public
transport and ultimately help reduce loneliness and social
isolation. It’s so important that all staff understand autism and
the often small adjustments that can make all the difference to
autistic passengers.
