Read the initial report compiled by the University of Winchester
We are delighted to start to share initial findings from the University of Winchester’s evaluation of our recent Department for Transport project. Communities Tackling Loneliness with Transport project was a pilot project involving 3 local Hampshire organisations – MHA, Good Neighbours Network and Age Concern Hampshire. Each delivered a pilot project involving a different mode of electric vehicle to help reduce loneliness in older people.
Three pilot projects formed the operational element of the partnership:
Pilot A: GO TO (Paulsgrove/Hayling Island/Hartley Wintney)
An innovative, hyper-local e-bike delivery service from Good Neighbours Network. Marketed as a delivery service for small items such as medical prescriptions and food shopping, the greater purpose was to improve social connectedness. The Tri-shaw proved particularly popular, offering deliveries and rides simultaneously.
Pilot B: Sustainable Transport (Havant/Gosport/Fareham/Locks Heath)
This pilot from Age Concern Hampshire, used a wheelchair-accessible sustainable electric minibus to transport older people, enabling them to get out into the community, retaining independence, and preventing loneliness.
Pilot C: Community Cars (Winchester/Romsey/Basingstoke/New Forest/Rushmoor)
MHA Communities trialled an accessible transport solution for areas least served by suitable existing transport options. This pilot used leased electric cars with paid drivers to take older people to and from social/exercise activities and clubs, or one-off appointments. This approach was designed for a range of areas, where minibuses were inappropriate or too expensive, and volunteer drivers difficult to recruit.
The University of Winchester has been gathering data and carrying out an evaluation of the project. Now, we can share the initial data and will be sharing more over the coming months. From this first graphic you can see who participated in the project, what the transport was used for and the impact on loneliness. More detailed analysis and case studies to follow. For more information about the project, please visit our Action Hampshire website or email Claire Vincent, claire.vincent@actionhampshire.org
Follow this link below to read the findings of the report
