Scotland: National Rural Network
Last week Badenoch and Strathspey Community Transport Company (BSCTC) hosted the fifth and final project visit in the Rural Network's current series of knowledge exchange trips, and it proved to be yet another fantastic opportunity for networking and sharing experiences.
Rural Network Regional Coordinator Matt Tyrer said "The team here in Aviemore are an inspiration, and I know they have enjoyed having such a great group of people, all involved in their own community transport projects, come to visit them. For me it's been a real pleasure to spend time in their company, and to hear everyone sharing stories, ideas and experiences with such genuine interest and enthusiasm."
The trip began with welcome drinks and a meal the evening before the visit. This was a great chance for participants to get to know one another in a relaxed setting whilst also finding out about each other's projects.
The following morning the group were collected in one of the local community buses by Maggie Lawson, manager of BSCTC, and taken to their office to be introduced to the rest of the team. The visiting group heard how BSCTC was first established, with the aim of filling in some of the gaps left by local public transport provision in the far north and south of the area, and how it has grown into what is now an extremely well respected and award-winning company.
The host team talked about BSCTC's biggest area of work, a volunteer car scheme which relies on the support of many volunteer drivers and telephonists, and also about the other community driven services they offer, including regular music afternoons, assisted shopping trips and days out to local sights of interest. The visiting group were shown photos of the many activities and trips that have been organised, took a virtual tour of their database and booking system, and
heard about volunteer recruitment and support. It was particularly interesting to hear about the important part the organisation plays in the life of the volunteers, offering training opportunities, building confidence, providing a regular routine and, perhaps most importantly, enabling the forming of some long lasting friendships.
After a short bus trip to Glenmore Visitor Centre the group were shown one of BSCTC's partnership projects. BSCTC purchased mobility scooters for people visiting Glenmore which are kept at the visitor centre. The Forestry Commission has modified and signposted a path network around the centre for the scooters to be used on, so that people with mobility difficulties can still enjoy the area. Some of the visiting group gave the scooters a road test too!
The trip finished with a chance to share more thoughts and ideas about the future of community transport over lunch. There was a particular appetite amongst participants for a strong collective voice for community transport in Scotland that can lobby the decision makers and funders in a time of cutbacks and reduced
budgets. There was also increased recognition of the importance of self-sustainability. However, the message that came through strongest, and throughout the whole trip, was how important it is for community transport to be recognised not just as a mode of transport, but as the enabler for so much more, and something that contributes greatly to the health and social well being of people in Scotland's rural communities.
You can find out more about Badenoch and Strathspey Community Transport Company, and watch a short video of the project visit, below.
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