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Community transport driver, driving an accessible mini-bus through rural Northern Ireland.

Motability Foundation awards £3.4 million to Easilink Community Transport

Tuesday, 17 October 2023

We are excited to share that we have awarded a grant to Easilink Community Transport. Easilink will work with three partners in Northern Ireland to deliver community transport services to disabled people.

Easilink Community Transport will work with:

Who will use their grant to:

  • Invest in a fleet of 23 fit for purpose accessible minibuses,
  • Train drivers and provide an employment programme,
  • Offer trips to disabled people including to regional hospitals and health appointments. 

Why are we funding Easilink? 

Easilink and their three partners have a strong relationship and knowledge of the local area. 

The grant will improve access to services, reduce isolation and help independent living. 

“We cannot thank the Motability Foundation enough”

Easilink Chief Executive, Claire Russell said that “As an organisation, we are delighted to be working with our partners to bring such a ground-breaking level of funding into the community and voluntary sector within the North-West area.

“The project will allow us to transform the accessible transport options available to both disabled individuals, the elderly and local organisations who exist to support those with a wide range of both seen and unseen disabilities.

“As a partnership group, we cannot thank the Motability Foundation enough for making such a significant contribution to the lives of disabled people in the most rural and remote areas of Northern Ireland and we look forward to working with you going forward.”

“I had the pleasure of using Easilink’s community bus and saw first-hand how the service is a lifeline to the passengers”

Lisa Jones, Director of Charitable Operations at the Motability Foundation, comments on the grant award: “We’re delighted to award Easilink Community Transport with this grant to support rural community transport partnerships, so that disabled people across the North, West and Mid-Ulster areas of Northern Ireland have greater access to travel.

“Over the summer, I had the pleasure of using Easilink’s community bus and saw first-hand how the service is a lifeline to the passengers I met and many more!

“Awarding grants to experienced organisations like Easilink, CDM, Fermanagh and North Coast Community Transport is the reason we launched our portfolio of impact programmes to support other charities and organisations to help make an immediate difference to the transport needs of disabled people.”

Learn more

For more information on the Driver Training Programme, please visit.

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