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Leeds Older People’s Forum is leading Travel Connections, exploring how to improve transport options for older people. The programme has been awarded a grant through the Department for Transport’s ‘Tackling loneliness with transport’ fund.
About this project
Travel Connections incorporates 12 separate projects exploring how to improve transport options for older people. Six local third sector organisations are partners in the programme, with LOPF also expanding our Friendly Communities project to include work on travel.
The projects come under five themes:
- Buses
- Taxis
- Active travel
- Community transport
- Travel conversations
The first four themes explore how the vast network of existing transport resources in Leeds can be better used to reduce loneliness. The fifth theme focuses on creating conversations between older people and decision-makers so that older people’s voices are heard at strategic city levels.
Travel Connections runs until 2023.
Taxi talk
Older people who use the services of Bramley Elderly Action and Feel Good Factor (Leeds, UK) talk about the importance of taxis in their lives, and shared the positives and provide useful hints and tips for taxi drivers, when supporting our seniors.
With thanks to Bramley Elderly Action, Feel Good Factor, Meanwood Valley Urban Farm and to everyone who took part.
Travel Connections delivery partners and projects
Shine (Leeds) Limited: Grand Days Out project
Ten group outings on public transport, led by a Shine magazine volunteer, focusing on group members socialising and assessing whether the journey and venue are accessible and age friendly.
Aireborough Voluntary Services to the Elderly (AVSED): UberHealth / Men’s Matters
UberHealth: Creating the opportunity for some older members to book UberAssist and UberAccess taxis via their Neighbourhood Network Scheme instead of using an Uber app.
Men’s Matters: Minibus trips to bring isolated older men together to enjoy banter and men-only socials.
Bramley Elderly Action – Neighbourhood Car project
Setting up a commercial daytime taxi company using an accessible car and employing a regular driver.
The Conservation Volunteers (Hollybush): The Great Outdoors project
Local social walks based on local bus routes that have a varied degree of difficulty to allow for all abilities.
Active Leeds, CityConnect and Cycle North: Cycle with Confidence
Social cycling proficiency sessions in East Leeds, cycle maintenance courses and guided social bike rides.
See video of Cycling with confidence event (Meanwood Valley Urban Farm, 26 October 2022)
Carers Leeds: Carers Connecting project
Shared outings by minibus and trains so that carers can connect and relax knowing they will return home on time.
Cross Gates and District Good Neighbours’ Scheme: Shared Outings project
Regular social outings for older people living in North-East Leeds
100% Digital Leeds and NNS Digital Inclusion Network: Taxi App
Digital inclusion training using the Uber app or other taxi apps to help older people to arrange their own accessible taxis.
LOPF Friendly Communities project
Supporting all local taxi firms to understand the business impact of providing accessible taxi services and encouraging sign up to this city-wide scheme As well as the above delivery partners.
As well as the above delivery partners, Let’s Talk Transport will bring together older people, Neighbourhood Networks and transport representatives to talk about transport issues and review existing provision.
Media coverage of Travel Connections
- Leeds Older People’s Forum can do so much with Tackling Loneliness with Transport fund – David Smith and Linda Glew (Yorkshire Post, 30.05.22)
- Leeds charity selected as part of government funding for transport projects tackling loneliness (Yorkshire Evening Post, 24.05.22)
#TravelConnections
Project updates
The latest articles about Travel Connections
Update: November 2023
New funding from the Road Safety Trust
Older models needed
Related resources
Reports and files relating to Travel Connections