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The pandemic caused many people to become newly isolated or made their existing isolation more extreme. Through partner organisations and conversations between our drivers and passengers, it became clear some sections of the community needed more support than just getting from A to B so we developed our new Travel Buddies service which piloted in Crawley in 2022 to huge interest and support then launched in Horsham and Mid Sussex, We are excited to be taking the project to Chichester and have plans to work across the whole county.
The service matches an isolated or vulnerable person with a Travel Buddy Volunteer using their similar interests. The aim is to reduce isolation, promote participation, and improve the health and wellbeing of local people within the community.
Our Travel Buddy Service Users will have company and support to use private and/or public transport, enabling them to access shopping, wellbeing, healthcare, or other community activities to become more independent, rebuild their confidence, and experience what their local community has to offer.
The Travel Buddy Scheme will support its service users for as long as they need, in addition, they will be able to access all our services and what their community has to offer.
If you would like more information about how to access or to volunteer for the Travel Buddy service, contact us by telephone by emailing the Travel Buddy team.
Full training as well as support provided, and reasonable travel expenses covered. You will make friends and boost your social life!
Unfortunately, we have had to put a hold on new referrals as we have reached capacity.
This applies to all areas.
We hope to resume this once more capacity becomes available.
Award-winning Hollywood actor Jason Flemyng has lent his support to Community Transport Sussex’s ‘Travel Buddy’ service that is proving such a huge hit in West Sussex.
This is reflected in the animation where we meet several different characters in need of the service or wanting to volunteer hosted by a talking rucksack called Wilkins!
Special thanks to Silvertip Films for creating this animation for us.
We all get our head down and struggle on with our lives, not noticing how the ‘sweet old man or woman next door but one’ is doing month to month, this charity looks out for them and hundreds of others on our behalf!
So much about life right now is just wrong. You can make a difference by signing up to be a Travel Buddy and help someone get out and enjoy life. Look at this as a Magical Mystery Tour which starts on your doorstep and where the possibilities are endless because human connection is everything.
Take the first step by extending the hand of friendship to someone who needs it. It’s time to breathe and get out and about and have fun. Please do support the Travel Buddy Scheme managed by Community Transport Sussex – it’s a win-win for everyone.
It is vital we do what we can to help end social isolation and loneliness in our communities. You can make all the difference to someone’s life by giving the gift of your time as a Travel Buddy volunteer. Nobody should feel they cannot get out and about and enjoy life.
Volunteering has the potential to make wonderful memories for all concerned. You could be the only person they see or talk to all day so let’s connect, come together and do our bit. We are all in this together.
You could make such a difference by joining this wonderful and flexible service and signing up as a Travel Buddy volunteer today.
John, a WWII Royal Navy Veteran, was looking for a Travel Buddy to take him to the coast. We helped John find someone who could assist in taking him to the sea. The Travel Buddy programme gives isolated or vulnerable people the opportunity to be accompanied to destinations safely.
To honour his service, the Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club invited 96-year-old John to a VIP Day at Portsmouth’s Naval Dockyards, where he was thanked by members of the Royal Naval Association.
