In December, we published Building Connections – Insights into the Older Community of Southwick, which highlighted something residents had been telling us for months: transport is the biggest barrier preventing older people in Southwick from staying connected.
Many people want to be part of community life, attend groups, or simply meet friends, but the lack of accessible, affordable transport makes this incredibly difficult. That finding stood out clearly and it became obvious that we needed to bring the right people together to explore what could be done.
With that in mind, I organised and facilitated a Transport Round Table at Southwick Community Centre. I invited local councillors, Community Transport Sussex, Age UK and representatives from St Michael’s community groups to share their perspectives and deepen our understanding of the issues residents face. Everyone around the table brought valuable insight into how transport challenges are affecting older people day to day – from bus stops that are too far to reach, to mobility issues, to the lack of accessible routes in areas like North Southwick.
We also heard how rising transport costs and the reliance on ageing volunteer drivers are putting pressure on community groups, making it harder for older people to attend the very activities that help them feel connected. Community Transport Sussex shared the realities of running community transport under tight constraints, as well as learning from a successful codesigned service recently launched in Chichester. Hearing how residents helped shape that new route sparked interest in exploring whether a similar approach could work in Southwick.
The session ended with a strong sense of collaboration and several promising next steps, including exploring funding opportunities, looking at bus stop planning and considering options for a community supported vehicle. It was encouraging to see such commitment across partners and I’ll continue working closely with them to develop practical solutions that help older residents stay supported and socially connected.
Alex Watts, Project Lead
