ConneCTing England Conference 2025

This one-day conference will bring together operators, commissioners, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore the challenges and opportunities facing community transport in England today.

This year’s agenda is packed with thought-provoking panels, practical workshops, and networking opportunities designed to support learning, collaboration, and innovation in the sector.

Featuring expert panels, research-led presentations and practical workshops, we’ll take a closer look at five essential areas:

• Accelerating EV Adoption
  Practical insights and strategies to support the transition to electric vehicles.
• Maximising Impact
  Understanding the value and potential of group hire services.
• Driving Sustainability
  How to evaluate and future-proof volunteer car schemes.
• Community Bus Routes
  Exploring operations, challenges, and opportunities of services using S22 permits.
• Perspectives in Partnership: Government and Operator Insights on Community Transport – how national, regional, and local partnerships can better support community transport

Fresh Thinking and New Research

• Hear the latest findings from CTA’s research into transport challenges faced by disabled young people.
• Explore new approaches to funding and CSR partnerships, including how CSR can directly benefit community transport.

Funding Futures: Don’t Miss the Final Session To close the day, we’ll hear from the Motability Foundation on their newly launched Community Transport scheme, alongside expert insights into grants, legacy giving, and fundraising strategies. If funding is on your mind, this session is a must.

Why Attend?

• Gain insights from national and local government, funders, and operators.
• Learn from new research on community bus routes, volunteer car schemes, and disabled young people’s transport needs.
• Take part in interactive workshops shaping the future of the sector.
• Discover fresh opportunities for funding, innovation, and partnership.
• Connect with peers, share experiences, and strengthen your network.

Registration will open from 9.30am

Venue address: Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AZ

You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with CTA’s commercial partners, including our insurance partners WRS and BCD.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided throughout the day, and the event will conclude with an optional networking hour from 4:00pm to 5:00pm — a great chance to continue conversations and build new connections across the sector.

Finding the campus

Located in the heart of the Bloomsbury district, the Coram Campus is well-connected with King's Cross, Euston and Russell Square all within walking distance.

The closest underground station is Russell Square (5 minutes walk) with King's Cross and Euston train stations both located around 15 minutes away on foot.

The campus is served by bus routes 1, 68, 91 and N91, which all stop at Russell Square.

The nearest car park is NCP Brunswick Square (7 minutes from the campus). There is a limited number of disabled parking spaces available on-site.

Full Agenda for the Session

9.30am – Registration
Arrive, grab a coffee, and meet fellow delegates.

10.00am – Welcome and Opening
Victoria Armstrong, CEO, CTA

10.10am – Perspectives in Partnership: Government and Operator Insights
Panel with:

• Sharon Payne, Transport East

• Simon Barnett, Suffolk County Council

• Jane Evison, East Yorkshire Community Transport

• Chris Parkinson, Transport for West Midlands

This opening panel explores how government and operators can work together to strengthen community transport. We’ll hear national, regional, and local perspectives, with a focus on replicable approaches that build effective partnerships.

10.50am – Research on Transport Challenges for Disabled Young People
Nick Mills, Deputy Head of Research, CTA

An update on CTA’s “Creating Connections” project, funded by the Motability Foundation, which explores how community transport can better support disabled children and young people.

11.30am – Networking

11.45am – The Future of Community Bus Routes
Hear from CTA on the role of community bus services. The session will highlight early findings from CTA’s new research, the use of Section 22 permits, and how these services are filling gaps in rural areas.

• Caroline Whitney, CTA

• Tim Christian, Ealing Community Transport

11.45am – Driving Sustainability: Rethinking Volunteer Car Schemes
Workshop session

Volunteer car schemes make up a large part of the sector, but face challenges around recruitment, funding, and sustainability. This interactive workshop is a chance to share experiences and contribute to CTA’s research on future-proofing these vital services.

12.30pm – Lunch

1.30pm – Harnessing Corporate Social Responsibility for Community Transport
Jade Mitchell, Development Officer and Chanelle Dwyer, National Development Manager, CTA

Explore how community transport can engage with corporate social responsibility to unlock funding, volunteering, and resources that benefit local services.

2.00pm – Accelerating EV Adoption
Workshop session

An interactive session looking at barriers and opportunities for community transport organisations making the switch to electric vehicles. We’ll explore policy, funding, and innovative practice.

2.00pm – Unlocking the Value of Group Hire Services
Workshop session

Merton Community Transport share how Group Hire supports their local planning and delivery. This workshop also launches CTA’s new Deep Dive research into how more operators might adopt this model.

2.45pm – Networking Break

3.00pm – Funding Futures: Unlocking Support for Community Transport

Three perspectives on how community transport operators can access sustainable funding and diversify income.
Panel chaired by Caroline Whitney, CTA, with:

• Ruba Aljarf, Motability Foundation – updates on the Community Transport Grant

• Oliver Asha, Make A Will Online – the potential of legacy giving

• Becky Coleman, Easy Fundraising – raising funds through everyday shopping

3.50pm – Closing Remarks
Alan Jones, Chair, CTA

4.00pm – Networking