Enjoy the Journey: How Travel Confidence Creates Opportunity and Social Value
In this bite-sized episode of Let's Talk Social Value: Stories and Insights, Michaela Pearson is joined by Hannah McDonnell, Executive Director of GO Community Rail Partnership CIC, to explore how travel confidence, inclusive transport and strong partnerships can unlock access to work, education, community, nature and independence.
Working across Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, GO Community Rail Partnership helps make public transport more accessible, inclusive and responsive to community needs. Hannah shares how community rail can create meaningful social value by helping people overcome barriers to travel and connect with the opportunities that matter most.
Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in sustainable development, leisure, tourism and social value, Hannah explains why transport is about far more than simply getting from A to B. Whether it's accessing employment, education, wellbeing opportunities, green spaces or community connections, confident and inclusive travel can be the key that opens doors.
The conversation explores:
Why travel confidence is just as important as transport infrastructure
How inclusive transport supports employment, education and independence
The power of partnership working to create lasting social value
Removing barriers that prevent people from accessing opportunities
The role community rail can play in strengthening communities and wellbeing
"Transport is rarely the end goal. It's what becomes possible afterwards that creates social value and impact."
- Hannah McDonnell
This episode offers a powerful reminder that social value is often created through the opportunities that travel enables, helping people access work, education, nature, community and greater independence in their everyday lives.
Shownotes:
Guest: Hannah McDonnell, Executive Director, GO Community Rail Partnership CIC
Journey Forward - Commuter survey
GO Community Rail Partnership CIC https://www.gocrp.org.uk/
Community Rail Network https://communityrail.org.uk/
Find Your Local Community Rail Partnership - https://communityrail.org.uk/community-rail/find-your-local-community-rail-partnership/
The Robin On-Demand Transport Service - https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/transport/the-robin/
Yellow Submarine - https://www.yellowsubmarine.org.uk/
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In this Bitesize episode of Let’s Talk Social Value – Stories and Insights, Hannah McDonnell of GO Community Rail Partnership explores travel confidence, inclusive transport and how community rail unlocks opportunity, independence and social value.