PADSTOW AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY TRANSPORT
Connecting communities with transport and mobility for all
What our users say
INTERESTED IN OUR SERVICES?
MISSION STATEMENT
The Charity’s mission is to provide and maintain community transport facilities in the Padstow and District area for the benefit of any persons who have need of such facilities due to poverty, disability or age; or those living in isolated areas where there is no adequate public transport facility; and for use by charitable and community organisations who are affiliated to Padstow and District Community Transport.
We are currently providing transport for a senior citizens group in Padstow and for people to attend weekly well-being cafes in St Eval and St Columb. The minibus is also being used by many local organisations including Beach Guardian, local schools, Padstow Sea Cadets and the Padstow Rowing Club.
OUR STORY
Where did it all start?
Mike Huntley
Former Chairperson/Trustee
In 2005 and 2006 a series of public meetings was organised by Padstow Town Council to create a Parish Plan setting out the desires, concerns and problems faced by local residents. Everyone who attended was encouraged to volunteer for an action group to agree the final plan and investigate what could be done locally to achieve the recommended improvements.
Amongst the major issues highlighted were the difficulties in accessing local services and facilities because of the shortcomings of local public transport. A group came together from the original volunteers and interested non-profit-making community organisations. As it transpired the majority of that committee were indeed representatives of all those people who have supported and used the minibus over the last 13 years - headteachers from St Merryn and Padstow Schools, others representing St Petroc Senior Citizens, St Merryn Age Concern, Padstow Sea Cadets, Padstow Youth Forum, Padstow Church, Padstow Football Club, Sailing Club, a pool club and more. To date about 40 different groups have used the minibus.
They proved, to the satisfaction of Cornwall Council, that a minibus would be fully utilised and as a result the Council provided the full cost of purchasing and converting a minibus, enabling the service to be launched in September 2010. The wheelchair lift and easy access were particularly welcomed by those with mobility issues, truly making this a vehicle for the whole community. Our Senior Citizens loved their weekly trips and the volunteer drivers, who all gave their time freely, became true local heroes.
In 2016, H.M. Government offered grants to existing Community Minibus organisations to buy a new vehicle and we jumped at the chance to have a brand new bus, designed and built by a specialist Devon coach builder based on all we had learned about the needs of our members over the previous years.
However, after ten years service, the management team decided it was time to introduce new blood and in March, 2022, were delighted when a couple of the community groups already using the minibus offered to form a new Board of Trustees to keep the service on the road. It is a joy to report that they have built on past achievements and indeed taken it to new levels of success in serving our local community. Well done to all concerned.
MEET THE TEAM
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Rob has a clear passion for all things outdoors and nature, particularly in Cornwall. Not only is he a key partner with Beach Guardian, he is also involved with other local initiatives such as the Trevisker Community Meadow with tree planting; regeneration of dilapidated buildings with St Day Old Church; supporting Age UK Cornwall & The Isles of Scilly to help organise fundraising events and, of course, as Chairperson of Padstow & District Community Transport.
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Anne qualified as an accountant in the NHS before moving to the private sector working with clients from the health, local government and education sectors. Since moving to Cornwall, Anne has volunteered at well-being cafes and is also the treasurer of another local charity, the Oasis Centre, Cornwall.
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Sandra is a retired civil servant. On moving to Cornwall in 2017, she was keen to get involved in the local community and began by volunteering for the Oasis well-being Charity which uses the minibus to transport members to the cafe. Sandra brings a variety of skills to the board gained during her time as a civil servant. These include safeguarding, health & safety and knowledge of the legal system.
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Katie is responsible for minibus bookings and volunteer driver rotas. Since retiring from a diverse career in television production and education, she now uses her skills in a voluntary capacity. Before moving full time to Cornwall, she volunteered for Home Start, supporting families which young children, and as a gardener for the National Trust. Her love of gardening continues at Trerice, a National Trust property near Newquay. Through voluntary work with Beach Guardian she enjoys engaging with various groups, be they school children, vulnerable teenagers or the general public.
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Patrick is responsible for familiarising new drivers with the minibus, keeping it roadworthy and shares occasional driving responsibilities. He has enjoyed a long career in education, running a variety of schools in the UK and overseas, holding headship roles, as an educational consultant and also as a governor. Patrick is currently governor of a school in Paris as well as assisting various, more local organisations. When he isn’t attending committee meetings, he enjoys keeping fit.
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Trevor spent a lifetime working in tv sports and media. Now semi retired but still working occasionally with the odd round of golf thrown in and driving the length and breadth of England as a supporter and director of Plymouth Argyle.
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Rose keeps everything ticking over, looking after the administration for the office in Alan Road. Since moving to Cornwall 12 years ago, Rose put her acting career aside to focus on having a family. She now has two young children, runs a holiday let and is an online food content creator and recipe writer.
“I really enjoy working with the PDCT. I find it a fulfilling job supporting the running of a minibus which provides our community with much needed transport for those that would otherwise not have access to places that provide comfort and companionship.”
OUR FUNDERS
SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT
We are committed to the care of all children and vulnerable adults who use the Padstow and Community Transport Minibus. We work hard to ensure that we operate in line with current best practice. This includes areas such as day-to-day care, recruitment of staff and volunteers, DBS clearance and training.
If you would like more information or wish to share a concern, please contact our Safeguarding Officer, Sandra Wood: pdctminibus@outlook.com
All concerns raised will be investigated and action taken in line with safeguarding policies and procedures. Confidentiality will be maintained to the fullest practical extent, the main exceptions being when someone is at risk.
Other contacts
Samaritans of Cornwall: 116123 from any phone
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
Local Multi-Agency Referral Unit (MARU) for Cornwall: 0300 1231 116
Police: emergency 999, non-emergency 101
HOW TO HIRE THE MINIBUS
To hire the Minibus you must become a member of Padstow & District community Transport (PDCT) at a cost of £15.00 per annum. You can then request one of our volunteer drivers, subject to availability, or use your own driver subject to a driver’s licence check and familiarisation of the vehicle.
To make a booking please use our contact form giving the date required, purpose for the hire and destination. Also confirm acceptance of PDCT Terms and Conditions.
The Minibus is a Fiat Ducato Maxi long wheelbase with 2.2 diesel engine and automatic gearbox. It seats sixteen people, including the driver, and has a sliding side door for entrance and exit with fold down steps. It has rear door wheelchair access although its use requires the removal of rear seating, so plenty of notice would be needed if this facility is required. The vehicle is serviced regularly and also undergoes a health check every three months.
We look forward to hearing from you.
HOW WE SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY
The Charity’s main aim is to provide transport for people who are unable to access it due to poverty, disability, age or because they live in isolated areas. We are, therefore, keen to work with other charities in the area who work to reach communities and prevent isolation.
In these circumstances we are able to offer the minibus with a volunteer driver and can discuss an appropriate fee structure that meets the needs of individual charities.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
VOLUNTEER
Padstow and District Community Transport welcomes volunteers. In particular, we are always seeking volunteer drivers, but if driving is not for you we welcome anyone who would be interested in acting as a chaperone on the Minibus, offering administration support, updating social media or helping maintain the Minibus. No formal qualifications or prior experience are required and we welcome volunteers from all backgrounds who have an enthusiasm to engage with the users of the Minibus - elderly and vulnerable members of the community, school groups, sporting clubs etc.
Your commitment is as little or as much time you can spare. All volunteers are required to complete an application form to include references and a DBS certificate (processed by PDCT).
Volunteer drivers must:
- be 25 years of age and have held a driving licence for two years.
- consent to a driving licence check.
- declare any health issues that may prevent them from driving.
PDCT offers:
- familiarisation to operate and drive the minibus.
- support to ensure volunteers feel confident driving.
Please register your interest via the contact form. We look forward to hearing from you.
DONATE / SPONSOR
Our organisation is reliant on grants, donations and membership and hire charges.
We are grateful to Padstow Town Council which provide grants to help towards our running costs. We also provide some local services to isolated and vulnerable people at no cost or subsidies.
You can make a donation here:
Crowdfunder Donation Page
Similarly, if you’d like to become a sponsor, please contact us at pdctminibus@outlook.com
For example:
Help support Well-being Cafes & Activities
£45 will help transport up to 15 local people to weekly well-being cafes and senior citizens day activities.
Help support a School EnvironmentAL Workshop
£50 will help us provide transport for local school children to participate in environmental workshops.
Help pay for a minibus service and check-upS
£100 will pay for one of the Minibus’s three-monthly services and check up.
Help us with vital administrative support
£250 will fund three months of administrative support.
CONTACT US
Padstow & District Community Transport (PDCT)
Registered address: 3 Alan Road, Padstow, PL28 8DS
Charity registration number: 1135441
Company registration number: 07141268