August 2017

Introduction

The GSS is able to work with third sector organisations to enhance their research capacity by sharing professional expertise. Providing a placement to GSS analysts would give access to expertise and data which would allow CTA to build its evidence base for community transport. This information would then be used to influence policy and raise awareness of the value of community transport with a view to accessing funds and building capacity across the sector.

Community Transport in Wales

Community transport (CT) provides flexible and accessible community-led solutions in response to unmet local transport needs and often represents the only means of transport for many vulnerable and isolated people. Significant user groups are older people and disabled people with a majority of services working in rural areas.

CTA currently has 94 members registered in Wales and these operators deliver a range of services from community car schemes, hospital transport, dial-a-ride, community bus services, wheels to work schemes and more. Most services are demand-responsive, taking people from door to door but a growing number are offering scheduled services along fixed routes where conventional bus services are not available.

In Wales, community transport operators deliver around 2 million journeys per year covering approximately 6 million miles and as bus services have been cut in places across Wales, the demand for community transport has increased

Proposal for work

In order to strengthen CTA’s research work, the organisation could offer a five day placement across the same number of months which would:

  • Explore data available to evidence the need for community transport and the value delivered for members of the community.
  • Develop a framework for gathering further data to build an evidence base for community transport.
  • Provide advice on future research work to ensure information can be kept up to date.
  • Consider opportunities for funding bids that would allow CTA and ONS to continue working together.

In particular, CTA is looking to show how better outcomes are achieved for people and communities when they have accessible and inclusive transport. This would include demonstrating social return on investment and economic benefits of community transport.

CTA would be responsible for collating the information and producing any written materials. We would also be able to support travel expenses as required to access CTA offices. The volunteer would have a key contact at CTA who would oversee the placement and ensure a valuable experience with practical insight of the third sector and how research can be used to influence policy. The volunteer would work with the CTA team in Cardiff and Swansea, liaising also with colleagues in Manchester.

We would hope that the placement could begin in September/October 2017 and end in February 2018.

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