Community Transport & Health in Cambridgeshire Workshop

By Jade Mitchell, Development Officer for England

On 23 June 2026, stakeholders from across the voluntary, community, health, transport, and local government sectors came together at Pathfinder House in Huntingdon for the Community Transport & Health in Cambridgeshire: Challenges, Pressures and Opportunities Workshop.

Bringing Community Transport and Health Together

The event highlighted the vital role that community transport plays in enabling people to access healthcare appointments, maintain independence, and stay connected within their local communities. Participants discussed how transport is a key social determinant of health and explored the growing pressures facing community transport services, including increasing demand for health-related journeys, changes to health service locations, funding constraints, and challenges in recruiting and retaining volunteers.

The workshop built on earlier discussions held in March and brought together a wide range of organisations and professionals to examine how community transport is currently operating across Cambridgeshire and identify opportunities for a more sustainable and collaborative approach.

Working Together to Improve Access

Attendees heard from a variety of speakers, including Kirsty Fletcher, St Ives Area Manager at Huntingdonshire Volunteer Centre, who shared insights into community transport provision, and Caline Easey Saunders, Community Connector for East Cambridgeshire County Council, who presented findings from local community listening activities. Thomas George, Public Health Research Practitioner at Cambridgeshire County Council, provided an evidence-based overview of current challenges and emerging trends affecting the sector.

Facilitated by public health colleagues from Cambridgeshire County Council, the workshop adopted a systems-thinking approach, encouraging participants to explore both current and future community transport journeys. Through interactive group activities, attendees worked with a range of personas to better understand the experiences of residents who rely on community transport services and to identify barriers, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.

The discussions highlighted a number of system-wide challenges that extend beyond transport alone, reinforcing the need for collaboration between transport providers, health and care services, community organisations, and local authorities. Participants also identified potential opportunities for innovation, partnership working, and practical actions that could help strengthen community transport services and improve access for residents.

Building Stronger Connections for the Future

The event concluded with a reflection session where attendees shared key learning points and priorities for future action. The outcomes will help inform ongoing work to create a more joined-up and sustainable community transport system, ensuring residents across Cambridgeshire can continue to access the services, activities, and support networks that are essential to their health and wellbeing.

The workshop demonstrated a strong collective commitment to addressing current challenges and working together to ensure community transport remains a valuable and accessible resource for communities across the county.

Find out more about Team England’s work here.

If you’d like to discuss opportunities for community transport in your area, get in touch with our England team.