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Bus gives older people a ‘grand day out’

Article written and published on: 20th August 2024

Article written by Scenic Buses

Older people are able to explore South Wales and make new friends thanks to an innovative partnership between Stagecoach and Age Cymru.

The Grand Day Out initiative enables groups aged 60 and over, travelling free on their older persons’ concessionary travel cards, to visit places of interest accompanied by an Age Cymru representative.

The aim is to boost the confidence of older people to explore the region by bus, enabling them to visit places they might not otherwise see, combat social isolation and loneliness and improve health and wellbeing.

The first Grand Day Out saw a party of 20 from Brecon – all members of an Age Cymru Nordic walking group – visit Cyfarthfa Park and Castle at Merthyr Tydfil.

They travelled on the Stagecoach T14 service to Merthyr where the bus company laid on a coach to Cyfarthfa for a tour of the art gallery and museum. Stagecoach even provided lunch in the tearoom.

Cyfarthfa Park, covering 65 acres, is one of the most frequently visited free tourist attractions in Wales. It provides a fine backdrop to the Grade-I listed Cyfarthfa Castle, former home of the illustrious Crawshay family, who played a leading role in the industrial revolution.

The group’s verdict? It truly was a Grand Day Out.

It’s been really, really good, above expectations. It’s been very interesting. They’ve been charming and looked after us really well. So brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

Linda Davies, participant

It’s nice to come by bus down to Merthyr – using our free older persons bus passes so it didn’t cost us anything – and see this beautiful house. It’s been really nice.

Sue Prosser, Another group member

We’ve had a lovely time. I’d be very happy to use Stagecoach again because they’ve treated us very well.

Pauline Taylor

Stagecoach and Age Cymru are thrilled with the success of the first Grand Day Out and are already planning the next one.

It’s heart-warming to hear such positive feedback.

For many older people, the bus isn’t just a means of transport. It improves their quality of life by allowing them to meet people, make friends and do things and get to places they wouldn’t otherwise see.

Martin Gibbon, managing director of Stagecoach South Wales

It’s been fantastic working with Stagecoach on the Grand Day Out.

It’s a great initiative that brings older people together for a sociable day out. As well as providing exercise and body strengthening, another important part of our nordic walking programme is to encourage older people to socialise and have a chat over a cuppa after the walks.

It was very well organised, and everyone absolutely loved it. They all want to know when the next one is and where we’re going!

Amy Lloyd, Age Cymru’s healthy ageing officer
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