“Using your services keeps me out of the doctor’s surgery” says Jessie. “I was married for 60 years and, having lost my husband, I feel loneliness and isolation even more if I have nothing to do. Without Westway we’d be trapped indoors.”  

This week is National Mental Health Awareness Week with “Community” as its theme, highlighting the importance of belonging and supportive connections. 

Struggles with mental health hit most people at some point in their lives, and for others it’s a daily struggle. We know that having a support network helps, and community plays a lynchpin role in helping us all feel better, and find the light in the dark. This week we’re thinking of all the amazing groups and charities we work with who help others feel stronger, with get togethers, and coffee mornings, to trips out, to art classes, and support for those with mobility needs. And we also stand up for Community Transport providers up and down the country who make connection and friendships happen everyday for millions of people.

What we and providers like us offer is more than a bus, it’s a space to belong and chat, to connect. For many it’s the only time they can get out independently and feel part of the place where they live, a spot of social medicine to help keep isolation, and loneliness at bay, and pave the way for new adventures and a brighter perspective.

We know it’s not a cure all for the mental health epidemic that’s made itself at home across UK, but it does make a difference, consistently and persistently as we challenge loneliness and isolation one bus ride at a time.

As more people age alone, with family and friends spread out, as budgets tighten, and as lives in general become busier, we need services like community transport more than ever now to help make living connected, joyful and brighter for everyone. 

If our services can help you please take a look at what we can do here