The Northern Fells Group provides an essential community transport service for people living in the rural parishes of Boltons, Caldbeck, Castle Sowerby, Ireby with Uldale, Mungrisdale, Sebergham with Welton, and Westward with Rosley. The service helps residents stay connected to healthcare, shopping, social activities and other essential services in an area where public transport is limited.
Meeting the needs of rural communities
Serving a population of around 3,700 people across more than 200 square miles, the Northern Fells Group works to reduce rural isolation and improve access to services. Community transport plays a vital role in enabling people of all ages to remain independent and continue living in their own homes.
The accessible minibus service is available to anyone who:
- Does not have access to their own transport
- Has limited public transport options
- Is temporarily unable to drive
- Requires wheelchair-accessible transport
Supporting everyday journeys
The service helps residents travel to:
- Medical appointments including GP surgeries, hospitals and dentists
- Shopping trips
- Social activities and community events
- Visits to friends or relatives in hospital or care homes
- Train and bus connections
- Journeys that are otherwise impossible using public transport
Volunteer drivers and staff work together to provide a flexible, reliable service, with bookings available Monday to Friday and additional evening or weekend journeys where volunteer availability allows.
A community-led approach
The Northern Fells Group has been supporting local communities for over twenty years. Originally developed through the Northern Fells Rural Project, the charity has grown into a trusted community organisation delivering a wide range of services alongside its transport provision, all designed to tackle rural isolation and improve quality of life.
Community transport remains one of the charity’s flagship services, helping residents maintain independence while strengthening connections between villages and essential services. By working with volunteers, parish councils and local partners, the Northern Fells Group continues to provide practical solutions that make rural living more accessible for everyone.
