Maximising Impact: Evaluating the Value of Group Hire Services in Community Transport

This research project seeks to evaluate the impact of group hire services delivered by community transport organisations (CTOs) on the wider voluntary and community sector (VCS) and public sector. Group hire is the most popular service among responding organisations in the Mapping England and Mapping Scotland surveys, yet it remains an underappreciated source of income and impact. Despite its widespread adoption, for two-fifths of operators in England, group hire does not rank among their top three revenue streams, though some receive grant funding for its delivery.  

 

The project will investigate the value and impact of group hire services, who is benefiting from them, and how they contribute to local VCS and public sector outcomes. Findings will inform best practice guidance for operators and funders to support and maximise the value of these services.

 

Key deliverables include a detailed report measuring the value of group hire services, supported by case studies that illustrate their impact on local communities. The project will also provide resources for CTO members, offering practical guidance for implementing and improving group hire services.

  

Additionally, it will examine current funding models to explore ways to increase income for operators, while offering clear, evidence-based recommendations for funders. The outcomes will include the development of a comprehensive good practice guide tailored to support funders and CTOs in understanding and enhancing the benefits of group hire.  

 

The study will present a robust assessment of the overall value of group hire, establishing its significance as a vital service within the community transport sector.

 

This research will focus on collecting evidence and insights from CTO’s in;

Yorkshire and the Humber, North East, West Midlands, East Midlands and Greater London 

 

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