Funding Secured for the Future of the Community Bus

LWCT Secures £100,000 from The National Lottery

Next Stop: Our Own Minibus

In December 2024, Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport (LWCT) were informed that we had been awarded £100,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund (Wales) to purchase our own minibus and cover operating costs for 12 months. This represents a major milestone in making the Community Bus a permanent, self-sustaining service for mid-Powys residents.

The new minibus will now be sourced and will need to be fully converted to meet our accessibility and operational needs.

Project Funding and Budget

Total project cost: £187,850
National Lottery contribution: £100,000 over one year

Securing this level of investment underscores the service’s proven impact and the confidence funders have in our long-term vision. We will use the £100,000 grant to purchase a community minibus to extend community transport to additional service users in rural mid Wales. It will support individuals with independent living and combat loneliness and social isolation, by helping people get out of their homes to meet other people, and access support services.

The Difference We Aim to Make

As part of our funding agreement, we’ve committed to delivering measurable improvements in:

Reducing isolation & increasing independence
Improving access to essential services—dentists, pharmacies, etc.
Fostering companionship & new friendships through shared trips
Boosting the Powys pound by connecting people with local high-street shops and businesses

Monitoring and Evaluation

The National Lottery Community Fund expects us to record and report on our impact. To meet this requirement, we will:

Issue anonymous feedback forms at regular intervals
Log trip destinations and service uptake for all journeys
Track new user registrations and repeat bookings
Monitor local spending patterns on shopping trips (via voluntary shopper surveys)

These insights will guide service adjustments, demonstrate social value, and inform future funding bids.

Growing Demand & Service Expansion

Our current 12-seat minibus, rented from PAVO, remains fully booked most weeks. Once delivered, our new minibus will expand our capacity.

Why Continuation Funding Matters

It is clear that the Community Bus has evolved from a pilot to an indispensable community lifeline. Lottery funding ensures:

Reliable availability for carers and passengers
Ability to plan, a year in advance, securing drivers and bus-buddies
Expanded routes to meet passenger demand

Our director, Stephen Hawkes, led the Lottery application by showcasing the success of the Community Bus, stressing the long-term social value and our robust evaluation framework.

What’s Next

We’ll share updates on the new minibus delivery and expanded services right here on lwct.org.uk/news. In the meantime, our twice-weekly service continues connecting communities, reducing isolation, and strengthening local wellbeing — and we’re always welcoming new passengers.

To register or learn more, call 01982 552727 or send us a message.