Arriva Merseyside has made a contribution to the Inspired Friendships befriending service by providing a Friendship Bus to show around 30 participants the sights and sounds of Liverpool. It is part of work to combat loneliness among pensioners through the staging of social events.
A battery-electric BYD Alexander Dennis Enviro200EV was used for the task. It is the first time that Arriva has deployed the Friendship Bus concept in Liverpool, although in the South of England it has already successfully provided such a service.
People on the Merseyside trip were taken to Sefton Park, The Beatles Story Museum and the Albert Dock, and then experienced a river cruise courtesy of Mersey Ferries.
Arriva Merseyside worked in partnership with later living operator Inspired Villages to provide the bus. That organisation works to ensure that older people do not feel isolated.
Speaking about the collaboration, Arriva North West Area Director Richard Hoare says: “Arriva is all about connecting communities, and that is a major reason why we do things like this for Inspired Villages.
“Liverpool is a wonderful city to visit, and we are glad that a great time was had by everyone who came.”
Adds Wendy Pfeiffer, Friendship Manager at Inspired Villages: “At Inspired Friendships, our commitment is to combat loneliness among our older community members.
“This partnership with Arriva offers a wonderful trip away for our members and a truly memorable time together, where they can experience getting out and about, exploring new places, and making new friends.”
