Community transport scheme improves service thanks to council grant

28 Sep 2026

A community transport scheme that reduces isolation and loneliness is now offering an improved service after receiving support from West Suffolk Council.

The Voluntary Network operates a dozen Connecting Communities minibuses in West Suffolk helping people who would otherwise be isolated get out to meet friends, go shopping and get to medical appointments.

But some of its vehicles are ageing which means they are more prone to breaking down, leading to time off road in the garage undergoing costly repairs.

Now the charity has been able to replace one of its older less reliable vehicles with a newer 16-seater bus, thanks to a £30,000 grant from West Suffolk Council, using funding from the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund. This latest additional to its fleet is five seats larger than the older bus and is fully wheelchair accessible.

As it was the next route due for a replacement bus, the vehicle is being used in and around Haverhill and helping to cater for increased demand for the service there. In turn, the ‘retired’ bus has become a reserve vehicle, benefiting the service across all of West Suffolk.

Caroline Wilson, managing director of The Voluntary Network said: “We are very grateful for West Suffolk Council’s support. Connecting Communities makes the world of difference to people who may otherwise be stuck indoors. We help them get out, meet friends, go shopping, get to appointments and more, reducing social isolation and loneliness which is vital to their health and wellbeing.

“We have already had passengers feedback they would feel lost without our help. We provide a lifeline and having a new vehicle means we can offer a service that is more reliable to the people that need our support.”

The West Suffolk Council investment has been made as part of the council’s Rural Bus Review Action Plan approved in November last year. The council isn’t responsible for public transport but wanted to look at what it could do to ensure the 15 per cent of West Suffolk households who don’t have access to a car aren’t left isolated and excluded as a result.

Cllr Indy Wijenayaka, Cabinet Member for Growth led the review said: “The Action Plan that we adopted late last year set out the steps we can take within our powers to ensure residents have access to public and community transport across West Suffolk. This grant for a better Connecting Communities bus is just one part of that plan.

“I am delighted that we are able to support The Voluntary Network for its invaluable work and to help cater for the increased demand that it is seeing in and around Haverhill. This will help ensure people can meet up with friends, use and support local businesses and access other vital services.”

Cllr Cliff Waterman, Leader of West Suffolk Council, said: “It was great to meet and hear about the difference that this charity is making, helping people, who for whatever reason, can’t access a car or other public transport. This bus service is also playing a significant role in supporting people’s physical and mental health, and I thank the charity for the brilliant work they are doing supporting our communities in and around Haverhill and across West Suffolk.”

The grant has been paid out using money allocated to West Suffolk Council from Government from the Rural England Prosperity Fund.

For more on The Voluntary Network Connecting Communities service, visit The Voluntary Network's website. All journeys must be prebooked and for more information call 01638 664304.
 

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