Out and About - Better journeys
As part of our Out and About campaign, we’re campaigning for specific changes so that those experiencing or at risk of social isolation can be more confident about making journeys.
Whether it’s a two-minute or a two-hour journey, travelling can be crucial to tackling social isolation. The social connections so important to our wellbeing often take place outside of own homes and having the confidence to travel is vital. Where transport is accessible, reliable and affordable it can help people keep up their existing social connections and make new ones.
Examples of transport supporting social connections include:
• Journeys for visiting friends and family in their homes.
• Journeys to places where we take part in social and leisure activities.
• Journey to places like cafes where we meet up with people.
• Journeys to places like the shops where we are likely to bump in to friends and other connections.
• Journeys to places where we can access support services and networks such as healthcare, faith groups, places where we volunteer as well as other activities that keep us connected to our communities.
Dial-a-Ride Campaign
As part of our Out and About - Better Journeys work, in partnership with disabled-led charity Transport for All, we carried out qualitative research with a small group of Dial-a-Ride service users. The research has shown that the door-to-door service has a vital role in enriching the quality of life of its users and reduces social isolation and loneliness. However, the lack of flexibility in the way the service is run is limiting the potential it has to truly transform lives and reach those Londoners that would benefit the most.
Take Action and show your support for age-friendly travel mentoring.
Why we are campaigning
Not everyone can make the journeys they want to. When transport is a cause of anxiety, is inaccessible or unreliable it is not just a barrier to maintaining the social relationships we already have, it also hinders services designed to reduce isolation.
Sadly there are thousands of older Londoners who do not use any mode of transport. Some of the reasons for this include anxiety and a lack of confidence as well as physical inaccessibility. Many of the older Londoners most likely to experience social isolation are also those most likely to face barriers to using transport. People with anxiety, disabled older Londoners and people with health conditions are among those most impacted.
Difficulties using transport can cause people to become increasingly housebound because it can seem easier to stay at home. This can negatively impact our physical and mental health.
What we want to see
Our campaign is focussing on three areas where positive changes will enable some older Londoners most at risk of social isolation to make journeys with confidence.
1. More travel mentoring: More socially isolated older Londoners to benefit from the Transport for London Travel Mentoring service.
2. Companion pass: A companion pass would provide free travel for anyone accompanying a disabled older person on all services including the tube, Overground and buses. Having physical and ‘moral’ support can reduce anxiety and increase confidence about travelling.
3. Improving Dial-A-Ride and Taxicard: These assisted transport services can enable some of those most at risk of social isolation to make the journeys they want to make and be more independent.
Spotlight: Travel mentoring
Transport for London have run a travel mentoring service for a number of years but many people that would benefit from the service are unaware of it. The service includes one-to-one mentoring, telephone advice, local bus days, group talks and a Mobility Aid Recognition Scheme.
One-to-one mentoring: How it works
• A mentor can accompany someone on their first few journeys to help them gain the confidence they need to travel independently.
• Advice can be provided over the phone before a journey to plan particular journeys and talk through barriers and anxieties.
• The service supports people that would like to use buses, Underground trains, Overground and other TFL operated trains, the tram and DLR.
Why we are campaigning for more one-to-one mentoring
• One-to-one mentoring can be a powerful tool in the fight against social isolation.
• It can be the start of someone’s journey towards independent travel
• It can mean people do not have to rely on lifts, taxis or specific services like Dial-A-Ride.
• Travel mentoring can be particularly beneficial for a number of groups including people who have lost confidence to travel; those recovering from a fall or stroke; those using a mobility aid such as a walker for the first time; those who wish to return to public transport after a long time.
We’re campaigning so that more older Londoners experiencing or at risk of social isolation to benefit from TFL’s travel mentoring service so they have support to overcome anxieties and gain the confidence they need to travel independently.
What we would like to see
• An increase in the number of one-to-one travel mentors.
• Double the number of older Londoners benefit from one-to-one mentoring.
• Marketing targeted at older Londoners.
• Working with local Age UKs so that more older people are aware of the service.
Show your support for more travel mentoring by clicking here
Case study: How Age UK Barnet are supporting people to overcome anxiety about getting out and about
Across London local Age UKs are working tirelessly to social isolation and loneliness. As we come out of lockdowns this work has recently included projects giving people the confidence to leave their homes.