Wiltshire Independent Travel Supporters Project

The Wiltshire Independent Travel Support Scheme (WITS) was launched on the 22nd May at the Civic Hall, Trowbridge

The Project is supported by The National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund, Wiltshire County Council and the Learning Disability Development Fund.

Travel supporters, backed by a project coordinator, will give one-to-one support to help disabled people gain the necessary skills to use public transport services across Kennet and North, West and South Wiltshire.

Louise Rendle - Wiltshire Independent Travel Supporters Coordinator said.......

“You and I take for granted hopping on the bus to meet friends, start a training course or work in a new place. But a lot of disabled people have to rely on others to take them to places and have never before used a bus. They need the confidence and knowledge to do that.”

The WITS Coordinator Louise Rendle
The Travel Supporters Anne Vezey
Christine Keepence
Lisa Hawkins
Peter North

For more details or to arrange an interview please contact Louise Rendle, Project Coordinator, Wiltshire and Swindon Users’ Network, Semington on 01380 872928

Notes for editors:-

• Almost 50% of disabled people list transport as their main local concern and feel their employment opportunities have been reduced because of poor public transport
• 60% of disabled people have no car in the household compared with just 27% of the general population who have no car
•
Compared with the general public as a whole disabled people travel a third less often
(Source: Disability Rights Commission - Making Rights a Reality)

The Wiltshire Independent Travel Support Scheme will be managed by the Wiltshire and Swindon Users' Network and will be based in the Independent Living Centre, St George’s Road, Semington, BA14 6JQ.

Click here for photographs and a slide show of the WITS Launch.