'Bus charity's demise could see our group fold too'

Edna Stein runs Helping Hands, based at Clowne Community Centre

Leaders of community groups in Derbyshire say the potential demise of a transport charity could mean the end for them as well.

Derbyshire Community Transport (DCT), which operates buses and on-demand services across the county, has announced it is "highly likely" it will cease trading by the end of October due to a "tough trading environment".

Edna Stein, the 90-year-old leader of Helping Hands in Clowne, says all of her 32 members get taken to and from their meetings by the charity.

She told the BBC: "I can't guarantee I can carry on the club unless I get alternative transport sorted for my members."

'Rely on us'

Mrs Stein's group uses DCT to pick up members from their homes and take them to events such as bingo, raffles, days out and dinners.

"Other local transport companies do not take us on because buses are being used to take schoolchildren home and we finish at 15:30," she said.

"Most of my members are lonely, disabled or have dementia and they all rely on the club to get away from their homes. That could be taken away from them.

"We are not the only ones affected by the news, we all now need to find alternative transport that will take us on."

Jane Parsons said Chesterfield Care Group might have to raise funds to buy their own bus

Jane Parsons, manager of Chesterfield Care Group Service, said DCT provided 95% of the transport they used on a day-to-day basis.

The group supplies "friendship and company" for more than 140 residents in the town.

She described news on the likely closure as "a shock all-round".

"We have already approached different taxi companies and set up a fundraiser to possibly buy our own minibus," she said.

"We are going to really rethink how we deliver our service now DCT may not be available and we need to look for volunteers to help drive us to places.

"DCT have been invaluable to us and it is a sad day for everybody to see them going."

As well as buses, Derbyshire Community Transport offers accessible smaller vehicles

Spencer Grove care home in Belper said it used DCT's wheelchair car service regularly.

Clinical nurse Lucy Annable said: "We are saddened at the news and as a result we will be unable to hold any group outings for residents in future as this will lead us with no means of transporting residents anywhere."

DCT said: "We are still highly likely to cease trading by the end of October. There is no further update at this time."

Derbyshire County Council says it is looking at alternative operators to take over transport services run by the charity and "is keen to ensure a smooth transition".