12 October 2026
Community Transport Week 2026 – Steve, Connect Driver
Community Transport Week (October 12-16) celebrates the vital role community transport plays in helping people stay connected, independent and involved in their communities.
This year’s theme, Driving Communities Forward, shines a light on the people who make these journeys possible, from paid and volunteer drivers to the staff and volunteers working behind the scenes. It also highlights the challenges facing the sector, including driver recruitment, licensing and funding, and the support needed to keep communities moving.
At Community First, one of those people is Steve, who has been driving for us for more than 26 years. What began as a part-time volunteering role grew into a full-time paid position, and a career he still enjoys today. His story shows the difference community transport drivers make to people’s everyday lives.
A career built around helping others
Before joining us in 2000, Steve worked as a professional photographer, covering everything from commercial and industrial photography to weddings and portraits. He later moved into driving, carrying out work for local organisations and clubs.
He started out driving for what is now the Connect service, formerly known as Dial-a-Ride, as well as school transport contracts in Winchester and Eastleigh. Today, he continues to support Connect passengers and also covers for our 44 bus service in Eastleigh.
Connect provides accessible, door-to-door transport for people who may otherwise find it difficult to get out and about because of a disability or mobility issues. Steve’s regular journeys include taking people shopping, to lunch clubs, medical appointments, therapy sessions and exercise classes.
Steve said: “Our Connect service is about picking people up from home and taking them where they need to go. All our vehicles are accessible, including for wheelchair users, so we can help people who might struggle to use other forms of transport.”
For many passengers, the service is an important part of maintaining their independence. Steve regularly takes people shopping, including to Tesco, where arrangements can be made for a member of staff to accompany them around the shop.
“We can drop people off, then come back about an hour later to take them home with their shopping. It means they can still go out and do their own shopping rather than having to rely on somebody else to do it for them. That independence is really important.”
More than a journey
Over the years, Steve has got to know many of the people who use Connect regularly. Some travel with him every day, while others use the service weekly or fortnightly.
Marion (pictured), from North Winchester, has been using Connect for around 10 years. Partially sighted, she relies on the service to get to Sainsbury’s each week.
“People are very pleased with the service we provide,” Steve says. “Taxis can be expensive, and they don’t always offer the same help that we can, particularly for people who have difficulty getting around on their own. It’s an essential service.”
Although many journeys involve individual passengers, Steve also transports small groups, some of whom have become friends through using Connect.
“We take a group out on Fridays who have got to know each other. They go shopping and then have a coffee together afterwards. It becomes a social occasion as well as getting their shopping done.
“Some people might not otherwise get out much or have the opportunity to speak to many other people. It’s nice to know that the service gives them that chance to spend time together.”
Alongside his work with Connect, Steve drives pupils to and from school, including a special educational needs school based at a farm. He says seeing the work being done there and the difference it makes to the students is another rewarding part of the job.
Keeping communities connected
For Steve, it is the people and the difference the service makes that have kept him at Community First for so long.
“Serving the community has made me want to stay all these years. I’m 75 now, and I still enjoy what I do. As long as my health is good, I’ll keep going. I couldn’t retire at the moment.”
Like many community transport services, Connect faces challenges around funding and demand. Steve believes having more buses available would allow us to support more passengers, particularly during the busy middle of the day, when school transport and other commitments can limit availability.
“More buses would make a real difference. We could accommodate more people, extend the hours available for Connect passengers and help more people get where they need to go.
“Hospital appointments can be particularly difficult because you never know exactly how long they’ll take. If appointments run over or several people need collecting at the same time, it can be challenging to fit everyone in. More vehicles and volunteer drivers would really help.”
Encouraging more people to get behind the wheel
Steve’s experience shows just how rewarding community transport can be, and he hopes more people will consider becoming volunteer drivers.
We are an accredited training centre for the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MiDAS), which provides training and assessment for minibus drivers. Drivers must also meet the relevant licence and medical requirements, with checks and training renewals needed to ensure they can continue driving safely.
Steve recognises that these requirements might seem daunting to some people, but he encourages anyone interested in volunteering not to let them put them off.
“It can be difficult to get volunteers these days, and sometimes people might be put off by the MiDAS test. But it’s a really rewarding way to spend your time if you’re able to give it.”
“You don’t have to be young to make a difference, either. If you’re older, like me, don’t let that stop you!”
Community First operates Connect Transport services across several districts in Hampshire:
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