THE legacy of a year-long pilot project which trialled a number of transport schemes to help reduce loneliness is still being felt today, Devon County Council (DCC) say.

The council’s ‘Connecting You’ project was one of 12 across the country supported with the Department for Transport’s Tackling Loneliness with Transport (TLwT) funding in 2022.

The initiative aimed to reduce loneliness in over-55’s and young people aged 16-24.

In total, 25 organisations were involved in delivering the project to more than 1,850 people, who covered more than 10,000 miles.

Almost £90,000 was also distributed to 14 local groups to trial projects.

Among the projects supported with grant funding through Connecting You was Devon Day Trippers run by Wellmoor, based in Moretonhampstead.

This initiative provided social day trips to people aged over 55 in Moretonhampstead and surrounding villages who find it hard to get out and about.

Having initially hired minibuses, the group progressed onto using trains, public buses, and taxis.

Wellmoor has continued to run supported trips at a low-cost as it now has a trained minibus driver, and a local taxi driver has also been donating his taxi services to support the group.

It now has a long-term goal to develop Community Transport in Moretonhampstead.

Torie Hitchings, Wellmoor Project Manager, said: ‘The trips have been hugely popular and we are continually asked ‘are there any more trips running?’

‘The initial Connecting You project was the catalyst to Wellmoor realising how vital these trips are in tackling social isolation and improving mental wellbeing.

‘The feedback from participants indicates the main benefit is the social experience.

‘We witnessed a rise in people’s confidence when using public transport and trains and a small number of people found that going on the trips led them to go on similar trips themselves independently and broadened their horizons.

‘However, most participants valued the supported nature of the trips which enabled them to get out further afield, like trips to the coast for example.”