New trustees needed to keep Newton Abbot community transport on the road

A long-running Teignbridge charity is renewing its call for new trustees as two long-serving members prepare to step down.

Newton Abbot Community Transport Association (NACTA), which has been helping residents across the district since 1991, is seeking volunteers to join its board, particularly a new treasurer and secretary.

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The charity runs a range of services for people who struggle to access public transport, including its Ring and Ride minibuses, a door-to-door car service, rural bus routes, and shopmobility scooter hire.

Chairman Mike Hocking told The Moorlander that the search for new trustees has been going on for several months.

“Like many other charities we have struggled,” he said. “Now, with our treasurer and secretary getting to the age where they’re ready to step down, the urgency to replace them has become more of an issue. The last thing we need is to be left suddenly without one of these key trustees.”

Mr Hocking said the charity hopes the recent press appeal will help reach potential volunteers.

“The more people that see this, the better the chance we have of getting someone,” he said.

He added that anyone with “common sense” could join the board, although financial experience would be useful for the treasurer role, and basic administrative skills for the secretary.

NACTA continues to recover from the challenges of the pandemic and recently expanded its Ring and Ride service further into the Dartmoor area of Teignbridge.

“We’ve gone into a partnership with the National Park and Teignbridge District Council,” Mr Hocking said. “Through that, we successfully applied for £150,000 of central government funding to buy two new 15-seater minibuses. These are now on the road and being used.”

The charity employs five staff, including two drivers, and relies heavily on volunteers. As well as trustees, it is also looking for more volunteer drivers and office helpers.

Mr Hocking said the services are a “lifeline” for many older or disabled residents.

“We’re here to help,” he said. “We provide transport for hospital, doctor and dentist appointments for people who can’t use regular public transport. We also hire out shopmobility scooters and provide daily living aids.”

He encouraged anyone interested in volunteering or learning more about NACTA’s work to get in touch.