A vital youth charity’s council-funded community minibus has hit the road to help young people access education and opportunities and support.

Last year, Tendring District Council granted UTurn4Support £50,000 to purchase a brand new vehicle to support their work with ten to 18-year-olds across the district.

The 16-seater Peugeot is now regularly used to bring youngsters to and from their sessions in Old Road, Clacton, for holiday clubs, after school activities and therapeutic mental health sessions. Youngsters also use the bus to get to school, use it to go to medical appointments and for trips further afield than was previously possible.

Tania Swanson, Director of UTurn4Support, said: “We know that a lack of transport is a major hurdle preventing young people from accessing services, so we applied for the funding to help break down barriers and reduce isolation.

“Our team can now pick children up closer to where they live, enabling them to access not only our services but other support available in the community.

“The bus arrived in November, and we can already see major progress and positive outcomes.”

The minibus is fully accessible for those with Special Educational Needs and can also be adapted for wheelchair users.

Youth Worker Max Hughes said the vehicle would help with the logistics of an upcoming trip to the Peak District.

He said: “The bus has allowed us to work with young people more consistently and has improved engagement.

“We’ve been able to extend the reach of our reward‑scheme trips beyond the local area, and we can also support essential individual appointments like hospital visits.”

Two other local groups - Tendring Community Transport and Harwich Connexions – have also had vehicles funded through TDC’s £20m Community Regeneration Partnership with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government following a grant application process last year. These are due to arrive in the coming weeks.

Councillor Ivan Henderson, TDC Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “I am so pleased to see the impact that this community minibus is having on the work UTurn4Support do with young people in the area.

“This project was always about more than transport; it is about connection and access to vital services and opportunities, which this is undoubtedly providing.

“It is proof of this funding making a real difference to people’s lives.”

For more information about the project visit https://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/government-funded-projects/community-transport-mini-buses

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