TWO community transport charities have secured funding for a three-year project to provide much-needed transport services for people with disabilities living in the South Antrim and Magherafelt District Areas.

South Antrim Community Transport (SACT) and Out and About Community Transport are celebrating after being awarded funding by Motability Foundation - which helps fund charities and organisations who give disabled people everyday transport options from community buses to wheelchairs.

SACT in Ballyclare provides transport to community groups and hundreds of people living in rural South Antrim who do not have access to a car or have difficulty accessing public transport due to the lack of it or their mobility. Ninety-one percent of their users have a disability.

Out and About Community Transport, based in Magherafelt, has been providing low cost accessible rural transport services for over 20 years using a mix of accessible minibuses and volunteer car drivers.

The joint project will enable both organisations to buy new wheelchair accessible minibuses and expand their service delivery to people with disabilities.

SACT Manager Tom McCarthy said: “We are really looking forward to working together and extending our services for people with disabilities living in rural areas. Community transport is a lifeline service for so many vulnerable people and helps to reduce isolation and promote social inclusion.”

Manager of Out and About Gillian Atkinson said: “It is a great pleasure to join with our neighbouring partner, who borders with us at the Toome Bridge. Working together on this project for the next three years will most definitely enhance this vital lifeline. The Motability funding is so valuable as it will improve access to events and activities for people who have additional needs due to their disabilities.”

For more information:

contact Gillian Atkinson at Out and About on 02879300123 or email: gatkinson@outandaboutct.org or

Lesley-ann Millar at SACT on 02893342455 or email lesley@southantrimcommunitytransport.com