Our details are changing.

From October 1st 2022 we will no longer have an office base at our usual address.  Staff have been working effectively from home during the pandemic so we have decided to continue that way to save money on premises.  Vehicles will still be based at the usual address and and staff will be on site most days and will continue to meet groups to give out keys etc.  We will still have all the safety features in place such as on site security, cameras and a locked compound so its just business as usual.  Please see our contact page for details of our new telephone contact numbers.  

  

 

 

East Durham Community Transport (EDCT) was formed in 1989 when it was identified that there was a lack of transport provision within the youth service.  We ran from Blackhall Youth Club with a donated minibus and a handful of volunteers.  From there, with the hard work and dedication from the voluntary Management Committee, we grew over the next few years until funding was secured to purchase 3 new vehicles and employ full-time staff in 1998.   Since that time the organisation has grown into a vital resource within the community of East Durham and is well known and well respected. We have attracted major funding from The Countryside Agency, The Lottery, The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Single Regeneration Budget, Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, Transition Fund, European Regeneration Development Fund as well as smaller amounts from Hadrian’s Trust, Pathfinders, The County Durham Foundation, Castle Dene Shopping Centre – the list goes on.  We are a community led project, existing to better our community and help our residents access activities, amenities and live an enjoyable life.

Our Services

We run a non-profit, non-commercial Charity and membership can be taken out by voluntary and non profits, statutory groups and voluntary organisations who are based in the old Easington District area.  Youth groups, lunch clubs, sports groups etc can access our services as well as our Travel Club which offers lovely days out.

A message from the Chair, Christine Hepple

Our staff, board and volunteers are dedicated and passionate in our roles and we all believe in the good work that is carried out in our community and that by providing an excellent transport service this good work can be achieved.

Social isolation is tackled, young people can engage in positive activities, people can access leisure and shopping facilities and groups can achieve their aims and objectives.

Everyone at EDCT is committed to ensuring our organisation runs to a high standard in order to continue providing this essential service for many more years to come.  

Privacy Policy - you can find our privacy policy here.  /files/EDCT%20Privacy%20Policy%202018.docx

 

Please don't get us confused with East Durham Taxies - they are a private hire company and not part of our organisation.   We are not attached to the second hand furniture store, called CT, in Peterlee either - this is operated by Newcastle community transport and is not connected with our Charity.

 

Please contact them both directly for any private hire bookings - we only provide transport to our member groups.

NATIONAL LOTTERY COMMUNITY FUND

We are celebrating here at EDCT after hearing the fantastic news that we have been awarded £214,044 from the  National Lottery Community Fund, which is the largest funder of community activity in the UK. 

Our Charity will use the funding for staffing costs over the next 3 years. Thanks to National Lottery players this grant means that we can ensure that our services continue and our community continues to have access to a vital resource in our area. 

National Lottery players raise over £30 million each week for good causes across the UK and the National Lottery Community Fund distributes a share of this to projects to support people and communities to prosper and thrive. During the pandemic, in 2020 alone, The National Lottery Community Fund distributed almost £1 billion to charities and community organisations across the UK and they supported us then with an COVID grant to help us with running costs so they have confidence in our Charity and recognise the good work we carry out in our community and that we are a worthwile cause.

Fantastic news for our Charity and for the people of East Durham.

KNS SPONSORSHIP

KNS Automotive in Peterlee have very kindly sponsored us yet again this year bringing in a much needed cash boost even increasing the amount which is a massive help to us..  They recognise the good work we do in our community and support our Charity wholeheartedly especially in these unprecedented times.  We can't thank John Robson and team enough for his amazing support and the increase in funds he has kindly given us this year.  They are a very well established business and supply all types or car parts and supplies.  They are a great bunch of lads (and lasses) who go out of their way to help with advice and very competitive prices.  Give them a ring on 0191 5868877 or visit them at their premises on the South West Industrial Estate or online www.knsautomotive.com or visit their ebay shop at  http://www.ebay.co.uk/str/knsautomotivesho

Thanks to County Durham Community Foundation for supporting us with funding from the Community Grants Funding Programme. This will enable us to pay the ever increasing fuel costs for our Travel Club trips which will support our members who rely on the club for friendship, to ease islolation and to have a lovely day out visiting some fantastic places.

 

If you would like to make a donation to our Charity to help us get through this uncertain time please contact us.  It is with your support that we will be able to continue our services and offer you the transport you need when the world finally gets back to normal.  Thank You.

  

Our amazing drivers, Darren & Norman, out just before the first lockdown collecting food to deliver to a local food bank - its essential that our community work together to help the most needy in our area.  Please keep donating food to your local food bank or collection point in any way you can. You can also donate food and toiletries to us on the buses.

 

We have recently been awarded £300 via the ASDA Green Token Scheme which is an amazing scheme helping local causes in our area - this money will go towards general running costs helping us to keep  providing our vital services in our community.  Thank you to ASDA and to those who voted for us.

The Visit England We're Good to Go scheme has now closed but the cleaning procedures put into place during the COVID pandemic remain in place.