Young people with disabilities at Portland Charity, have been handed a transport lifeline following the delivery of a new 16-seat accessible Lord’s Taverners minibus last week, with Mansfield District Councillor and Deputy Mayor Craig Whitby joining the Lord’s Taverners to hand over the keys to the new vehicle.
The new 16-seat wheelchair accessible minibus will provide the college with more opportunities to transport learners between sites, provide easier access to medical appointments, offer access to community events, and other activities such as Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions that offer essential life skills development opportunities.
Dr Mark Dale, CEO and Principal at Portland Charity, highlighted the importance of the new minibus, stating: “We are very grateful to the hard work and generous donations achieved from both The Lord’s Taverners and Portland’s fundraising activities to enable this expansion of our fleet of vehicles with a brand new minibus. This new vehicle has increased the opportunity for learners to access the local community with the chance to help improve their independence skills. We also use our fleet to transport local residents during evenings and weekends to access social and sporting activities at the College.”
Deputy Mayor Craig Whitby added ‘The Lord’s Taverners charity does incredible work. This minibus is not just a vehicle. It’s a gateway to new opportunities, experiences, and friendships for the learners at Portland College. The College plays a vital role in our community by supporting and empowering young people with disabilities. This partnership exemplifies how working together can create significant positive change.