Project

Winner

Buchan Dial-a-Community Bus (DACB) is a growing social enterprise in North East Aberdeenshire, focussing on reducing social exclusion through the provision of high quality community transport delivery and support services.

What does your charity/project do?

Dial-a-Community Bus currently provides accessible transport services in both Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City including shopping service, patient transport, school and youth transport, library visits, community group use as well as shopmobility. In 2010/11 we provided over 50,000 passenger journeys using 9 minibuses, a MPV and a volunteer community car scheme. None of these services are commercially viable but all provide an essential link for vulnerable and disadvantaged people.

How does your charity/project support the local community?

None of our services are commercially viable but all provide an essential link for elderly, disabled, rurally and socially isolated people. By providing transport for a variety of people we have encouraged their confidence and independence as well as providing economic and social sustainability for many people in a very rural environment. We support local businesses / social enterprises which adds community value and also reduces our carbon footprint as much as possible given our core services

What do you plan to use the CommunityForce award for?

We have a major issue this year in that the two buses, which have been with us since the beginning in 2000, are really starting to struggle. And we realise that we have to raise funds towards the replacement of the oldest bus as a matter of priority. To this end we are in the process of trying to raise approximately £40,000; the price of a good quality fully accessible minibus.