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“I’m so much more
independent than before!”
Whether it’s a visit to the GP, a trip to the shops, a group day out or a chance
to see friends, Ealing Community Transport’s minibus service is enabling
local residents like 80-year-old Jean Place to lead active and independent
lives – even when their mobility is restricted.
When 80-year-old Ealing resident Jean Place lost the use
of her left leg following two seizures, she worried that she
would struggle to leave the house independently again.
Walking was painful and public transport felt much more
difficult to use than before. “Just getting two buses to the
doctor’s became impossible,” says Jean.
But things began looking up when the receptionist
at her doctor’s surgery recommended that she try
Ealing Community Transport (ECT)’s free door-to-door
minibus service to travel to her health appointments.
“I thought ‘Oh, thank goodness!’. Without ECT, I would
have to rely on my daughter to take me, and she is very
busy with work.”
In safe hands
Jean had not expected to discover such a caring service.
“When you’re in a taxi, they give you very little support,”
she says. “But the ECT drivers come right to my front door
and help me out of my house. Then they help me board the
minibus using a special lift at the back because the steps
are challenging for me.
Did you know that ECT...
Provides affordable
transport to 164 community
groups across Ealing
– from the Scouts to
Dementia Concern
Saves the NHS
over £100,000 a
year by reducing
missed GP
appointments
Helps over 3,000 people a
year who are elderly or have
mobility difficulties to travel
without having to rely on
friends or family