All aboard! Travel Buddies project expands thanks to additional funding

Fenland District Council's Travel Buddies project launched earlier this year thanks to Care Together funding from Cambridgeshire County Council. Aimed at residents aged 65 and over, it offers free days out to help people gain confidence using public transport and make new social connections.

Now the project is being expanded to offer opportunities to adults aged 40-64 that would benefit, thanks to extra funding from Greater Anglia's Customer and Community Improvement Fund.

In addition, the new funding means train journeys can also be included in future Travel Buddies trips, helping to broaden them even further.

The Travel Buddies project has already proved a great success, with previous outings to the cinema in Wisbech (March 2025), and visit to the historic Peckover House in Wisbech (June 2025), attracting excellent feedback from participants.

Take part in a trip

The next Travel Buddies trip takes place on Thursday 18 September. It will include a train ride to Ely, where participants will enjoy a light lunch at The Maltings on the riverfront.

Spaces on trips are limited, and some are better suited for specific needs. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact the project team so they can be matched with the best option.

To book your place or learn more, email: transportandaccess@fenland.gov.uk or call 01354 622318.

Cllr Gary Christy, Fenland District Council's Cabinet member for Transport, said: The Travel Buddies project has already shown how valuable these outings can be for building confidence and meeting new people. The trips have received fantastic feedback, so we're excited to be adding train journeys and opportunities for more people to get involved. Places on each trip are allocated on a first come, first served basis, so I'd encourage everyone to book early. I'd also urge people to spread the word to family and friends, so they don't miss out on these free opportunities.

Scott Dolling, Greater Anglia's Partnerships Manager, said: Travel Buddies is a great initiative to enable people in the Fenland area to access public transport with confidence. It is one of 28 locally led projects across our network that we have been able to support through the Customer and Community Improvement Fund which totals £350k across the area we cover.

The Travel Buddies project for people aged 65 and over is being run as a two-year pilot, with funding continuing until December 2026. The additional train element of the project, and the trips for people aged 40-64, will run until March 2026.

• For more information, visit: Travel Buddies

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September 2025