Chatty Bus back on the road to connect local communities
Wed 1st March 2023
Local bus company, East Yorkshire, is bringing back its ‘Chatty Bus’, an initiative that aims to fight social isolation and promote connection and local communication with the help of Age UK HEY (Hull and East Yorkshire) and local internet provider KCOM.
Across the next four months, teams from all three businesses will be heading out to the streets of Hull, Brough, Beverley and Cottingham as ‘Chatty Ambassadors’ who’re free to have a chat with anyone wanting to talk. Whether you’re looking for advice on how to use your devices to connect with people far away, what local groups, events and services are available to you in your area, or you just fancy a natter with a cuppa – everyone’s invited to come along.
The tour will kick off with the Chatty Bus’s return to Beverley on 15 March between 8.30am and 4pm at Beverley Market, moving on to Brough on 19 April, Cottingham on 17 May, and Hull on 14 June. Anyone and everyone is invited to come along, have a chat with the team, and find out more about how they can stay connected in the region.
East Yorkshire’s Head of Commercial, Stuart Fillingham, said: “We’re excited to be bringing back our Chatty Buses to the streets of the region.
“Here at East Yorkshire, we’re passionate about connecting people, whether that’s with their favourite places or their favourite people. That’s why we’re bringing back our Chatty Bus campaign: to give people across the region the chance to come, have a cup of tea and a chat with the team, and learn more about the services and initiatives that are available in their local areas.”
Neil Bartholomew, Managing Director KCOM Retail, said: “The Chatty Bus is a great initiative to be involved with that lets us connect with people right across the region. This time especially our ambassadors will be able to talk to people about how the upgrade of our old copper phone network to full fibre will affect them – and give out useful advice on what they need to do to keep their landlines connected.”
Age UK’s CEO, Andy Haynes, said: “Working with East Yorkshire and partnering with KCOM on the “Chatty Bus” is an excellent way to connect direct into the communities we all serve across Hull and East Yorkshire. The chatty bus visits enable Age UK to spend time “chatting” with people, increasing their awareness of how we can help them or those they may care for, as well as sharing about opportunities to get involved in supporting our work. So when you do see that the chatty bus is going to be nearby then do come and say hello and learn some more about our work.”
For more information about East Yorkshire and the Chatty Bus initiative, or to find resources which can help those who suffer from loneliness and social isolation, visit eastyorkshirebuses.co.uk.
To find out more about the services that Age UK HEY offer (including their befriender service), visit ageuk.org.uk/hull or call 01482 324644.
