Travelling Companions programme
The Travelling Companions programme at Age UK supported older people who were feeling lonely or struggling to get out and about.
What is the Travelling Companions programme?
In June 2022, Age UK set up a pilot programme to support lonely and isolated older people to get out and about, by matching them with trained volunteers or staff members called Travelling Companions. The pilot programme ended in July 2023.
The pilot was interested in exploring the link between transport and loneliness. When older people don't have the knowledge or confidence needed to access local transport links, they then may be unable to access local services that can build social connections and help to reduce feelings of loneliness. Therefore, helping older people with transport and travel was the first step to improving access to the support and services that local Age UKs and their community offer.
In total, the service supported 320 older people over the course of 679 sessions. Each older person was matched with a Travelling Companion, to receive personalised and specific one-to-one support to help them achieve their travel goals. The outcomes of these sessions found:
- Using the bus and walking were the most popular ways to travel.
- In most cases, older people wished to use the service to learn how to travel to a specific destination (for example a service, activity or club).
- The most popular referrals that were made after older people finished their Travelling Companions sessions were Age UK clubs, befriending services and exercise classes.
In terms of the difference the service made to older people, we found that:
- Overall, 44.6% increased their level of reported social interaction and travel-related confidence increased whilst travel-related anxiety decreased.
- On average, the number of journeys completed per week by walking and public transport increased.
- Statistically, we are 95% confident that the programme supported older people to reduce their feelings of loneliness.
Want more information about Age UK transport services?
Age UK runs a number of transport services for older people across the country, such as door-to-door wheelchair-accessible minibus services to take older people to attend GP appointments or go to the shops.
The impact of the programme
In the video below, you can hear from Catherine and her travelling companion Andrew, about the Travelling Companions service and what it means to them.
For a version of the video with audio description, please click here
Read our reports
We've brought together an Evaluation report and a Data report following the conclusion of the Travelling Companions pilot in July 2023. We explored data collected over the course of the pilot programme and at its conclusion – through interviews, focus groups, goal setting and session data.
Download the Evaluation report (PDF, 908 KB)
Download the Evaluation report (executive summary) (PDF, 543 KB)
Where did the programme run?
The Travelling Companions programme was delivered by 7 local Age UKs.
Age UK Calderdale and Kirklees
Age UK North, South and West Dorset
Age UK Norfolk
Age UK Richmond upon Thames
Age UK Stockport
Age UK Wiltshire
Age UK Worcester and Malvern Hills
For more information about the programme, please email travelling.companions@ageuk.org.uk.
Our funder
Age UK is grateful to the Department for Transport for funding the Travelling Companions' pilot programme as part of His Majesty's Treasury's Shared Outcomes Fund.