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Jigsaw Sensemaking Report

Executive Summary

  • 45 Total Participants
  • 7 Topics Identified
  • 38 Opinions Identified

Participants highlighted persistent transport barriers for vulnerable groups, including wheelchair users, dementia patients, and rural residents. Public transport in North Ayrshire was criticized for unreliability, long travel times, and inaccessible stops, limiting essential and social trips. High costs further restricted access, particularly for community outings. Many advocated for dedicated minibus services, citing models like the Cumnock Connector as effective solutions to bridge gaps in coverage and flexibility.

Community transport was defined as a vital enabler of independence, supporting medical access, social connection, and group activities. Priorities included inclusive coverage across North Ayrshire, direct routing, and tailored services like shopping trips or day outings. While some emphasized cost-effective essential travel, most agreed on the need for adaptable, community-driven solutions to address mobility barriers and isolation.

Participant Overview

Conversation Overview

Below is a high level overview of the topics discussed in the conversation. The most discussed topics were Purpose and usage scenarios for community transport and Accessibility needs for vulnerable groups.

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7 topics identified

Purpose and usage scenarios for community transport

8 Opinions
20 Total quotes

Community transport serves key purposes: enabling access to medical appointments (most cited), supporting social connections through family visits, and reducing isolation for vulnerable groups. It also aids education, training, and volunteering, while dedicated services like shopping trips or day outings address mobility barriers. Group outings further strengthen community ties, particularly for those with dementia or limited transport options.

20 Total Quotes
10 Quotes Support social connections by facilitating visits to family and friends

Sample Quotes:

  • Visiting family & friends
  • Visiting family & friends
  • Visiting family or friends
  • Visiting family or friends
8 Quotes Enable access to medical appointments for those with limited transport options

Sample Quotes:

  • Going to medical appointments
  • Going to medical appointment
  • Going to medical appointments or visiting family or friends
  • Going to medical appointments or visiting friends or family
4 Quotes Assist people with dementia and their carers in attending events and respite activities

Sample Quotes:

  • Having a minibus service would allow group members to have an afternoon or day out, supporting people with dementia and their carers by giving opportunities to break from routine and access events across North Ayrshire.
  • A community bus would help link dementia communities together so those living with this disability and their carers could attend a wider range of events throughout North Ayrshire where current public transport makes this harder.
  • A community bus for people with dementia would help & bring great relief to carers for transport to outings and or respite care.
  • A minibus service would allow us to offer regular day trips, a weekly shopping trip for those who struggle to get out, and a dedicated dementia outreach programme... Using a minibus becomes an event where carers and loved ones bond as a group—a community within a community.
3 Quotes Enable participation in education, training, and volunteering opportunities

Sample Quotes:

  • getting to places and volunteering
  • Going to education, learning or training/Going to medical app
  • Going to education, going to medical appointments and visiting family and friends
3 Quotes Offer dedicated shopping trips for individuals who struggle with mobility or access

Sample Quotes:

  • I like the idea of the Group Transport Hire... focus on getting people to and from hospital, doctors, socialising, town, supermarkets etc.
  • Shopping, visiting family & friends, and community groups
  • A minibus service would allow us to offer regular day trips, a weekly shopping trip for those who struggle to get out, and a dedicated dementia outreach programme... Using a minibus becomes an event where carers and loved ones bond as a group—a community within a community.
2 Quotes Reduce isolation by connecting dispersed communities, especially for vulnerable groups

Sample Quotes:

  • Where private transport is not available and public services are not readily accessible, opportunities for social contact are significantly reduced, which can have a devastating impact on both the person with dementia and their carer.
  • A community bus would help link dementia communities together so those living with this disability and their carers could attend a wider range of events throughout North Ayrshire where current public transport makes this harder.
2 Quotes Provide group outings and day trips for community bonding and leisure

Sample Quotes:

  • A minibus service would allow us to offer regular day trips, a weekly shopping trip for those who struggle to get out, and a dedicated dementia outreach programme... Using a minibus becomes an event where carers and loved ones bond as a group—a community within a community.
  • Having a minibus service would allow group members to have an afternoon or day out, supporting people with dementia and their carers by giving opportunities to break from routine and access events across North Ayrshire.
1 Quotes Help community groups organize accessible day trips to tourist spots and cultural sites

Sample Quotes:

  • We have used this service on multiple occasions organising day trips to local tourist places, museums and beauty spots... We have opened these minibus trips up to people from Millport and Arran as well as Largs, Beith, Irvine and the 3 towns... we particularly like their accessibility credentials allowing infirm or disabled older people access community transport.

Accessibility needs for vulnerable groups

9 Opinions
12 Total quotes

Vulnerable groups—including wheelchair users, dementia patients, and older or infirm individuals—face major transport barriers. Wheelchair users struggle to reach leisure sites, while dementia patients and carers lack reliable options for social outings. Long hospital travel times and high bus hire costs further limit access. Dedicated minibus services could ease these issues by offering tailored support, like day trips, shopping access, and dementia-specific care. However, current public transport often fails to stop at designated platforms, worsening accessibility. Affordable, adaptable community transport is critical to ensure independence and inclusion.

12 Total Quotes
2 Quotes Dedicated community buses for dementia patients ease carer burdens and enable outings

Sample Quotes:

  • Having a minibus service would help support people with dementia and their carers by giving opportunities to have a break from regular routine.
  • A community bus for people with dementia would help & bring great relief to carers for transport to outings and or respite care.
2 Quotes Limited public transport reduces social opportunities for dementia patients and carers

Sample Quotes:

  • Where private transport is not available and public services are not readily accessible, opportunities for social contact are significantly reduced, which can have a devastating impact on both the person with dementia and their carer.
  • A community bus would help link dementia communities together so those living with this disability and their carers could attend a wider range of events throughout North Ayrshire where current public transport makes this harder.
2 Quotes Local transport mobility is a critical need for vulnerable groups

Sample Quotes:

  • Mobility for local transport
  • Mobility
1 Quotes Wheelchair users struggle to access places of interest due to transport barriers

Sample Quotes:

  • It's very difficult for wheelchair users to visit places of interest.
1 Quotes Older or infirm individuals face long travel times to hospitals without private transport

Sample Quotes:

  • as you get older or infirm you can't get to groups at night… access to hospitals without a car can take hours of traveling
1 Quotes Accessible community transport enables infirm or disabled older people to participate in community activities

Sample Quotes:

  • we particularly like their accessibility credentials allowing infirm or disabled older people access community transport
1 Quotes Minibus services can provide regular day trips, shopping access, and dementia-specific support

Sample Quotes:

  • A minibus service would allow us to offer regular day trips, a weekly shopping trip for those who would otherwise find it difficult to get out, and a dedicated dementia service connecting carers and their loved ones with activities and events.
1 Quotes High bus hire costs and limited disabled seating restrict affordable group outings for charities

Sample Quotes:

  • The cost of a bus hire in our area makes it almost impossible to carry out many day trips in an affordable way... each private bus company also has a limit on how many disabled places their buses can take and this is very limiting for a charity offering support to older people.
1 Quotes Buses often fail to stop at designated platforms, creating accessibility issues

Sample Quotes:

  • buses not dropping at platform

Geographic coverage and accessibility of community transport

4 Opinions
10 Total quotes

Most participants (7) stressed that community transport must cover all of North Ayrshire, including rural and underserved areas, to ensure equal access. Others highlighted gaps in current services, such as slow, indirect routes between towns like Largs and Irvine, and the need for direct, flexible minibus options. Wheelchair users also noted barriers to accessing places of interest due to poor infrastructure. The consensus points to a need for broader, more inclusive coverage and efficient routing.

10 Total Quotes
7 Quotes Community transport must cover all of North Ayrshire, including rural and underserved areas

Sample Quotes:

  • I live in Saltcoats!
  • We are Dementia Connect Carers Group and cover all of North Ayrshire
  • Lack of provision... We need a good, solid community transport offer for the people of North Ayrshire.
  • Irvine
1 Quotes Wheelchair users need better access to places of interest

Sample Quotes:

  • It's very difficult for wheelchair users to visit places of interest.
1 Quotes Direct routes are needed to reduce travel time between towns like Largs and Irvine

Sample Quotes:

  • Currently public transport takes too long to go from A to B eg: Largs to Irvine. A minibus offers a more direct route that can alter pick ups in different areas
1 Quotes Public transport is currently too slow and inaccessible for many residents

Sample Quotes:

  • Public transport is not readily accessible and takes too long.

Existing community transport service models

4 Opinions
10 Total quotes

The Cumnock Connector model was the most popular, with many calling to replicate it in North Ayrshire—either alone or alongside other services. Group transport for community organizations also drew strong support, with shared minibuses and driver training seen as key. Dedicated shopper services were frequently backed as a practical solution for essential travel. A smaller but notable view urged focusing on cost-effective, essential trips like medical appointments over expensive private day trips.

10 Total Quotes
7 Quotes Replicate the Cumnock Connector service for North Ayrshire

Sample Quotes:

  • An equivalent of the Cumnock Connector service or a group transport service for community groups
  • An equivalent Cumnock Connector service / A Group transport service for community groups
  • An equivalent of the Cumnock Connector/Group transport service
  • An equivalent of the Cumnock Connector service or a Group Transport Service
6 Quotes Offer group transport services for community organizations

Sample Quotes:

  • An equivalent of the Cumnock Connector service or a Group Transport Service
  • A group transport service
  • An equivalent of the Cumnock Connector service or a group transport service for community groups
  • An equivalent Cumnock Connector service / A Group transport service for community groups
3 Quotes Provide dedicated shopper services for local residents

Sample Quotes:

  • An equivalent of Cumnock Connector/Shopper service
  • An equivalent of Cumnock Connector, a shopper service, or group transport
  • An equivalent of Cumnock Connector or a shopper service
2 Quotes Avoid expensive private day trips and focus on essential travel like medical appointments and grocery shopping

Sample Quotes:

  • Small charities organising day trips for seniors privately can be very expensive and out of the range of many service users in a high deprivation and poverty area like North Ayrshire
  • I think the Day Hopper is an awful idea... we should avoid this and focus on getting people to and from hospital, doctors, socialising, town, supermarkets etc.

Challenges with current public transport

6 Opinions
7 Total quotes

Public transport in North Ayrshire faces key issues: unreliable, slow services and long travel times make essential trips impractical. Limited access restricts social opportunities, while fragmented, low-capacity services fail to meet demand. Journeys between towns are overly time-consuming, and buses often skip designated stops, adding to the inconvenience. These challenges highlight the need for a more cohesive, efficient transport network.

7 Total Quotes
2 Quotes Public transport is unreliable and slow

Sample Quotes:

  • Transport isn't that good
  • Public transport is not readily accessible and takes too long.
1 Quotes Long travel times make essential trips like hospital visits impractical without a car

Sample Quotes:

  • As you get older or infirm you can't get to groups at night… access to hospitals without a car can take hours of traveling
1 Quotes Limited public transport access reduces social opportunities for those without private vehicles

Sample Quotes:

  • Where private transport is not available and public services are not readily accessible, opportunities for social contact are significantly reduced.
1 Quotes Journeys between towns like Largs and Irvine take too long

Sample Quotes:

  • Currently public transport takes too long to go from A to B eg: Largs to Irvine.
1 Quotes Existing transport services lack capacity and are fragmented

Sample Quotes:

  • Lack of provision, lots of small pockets of support available but can’t cope with the capacity. We need a good, solid community transport offer for the people of North Ayrshire.
1 Quotes Buses fail to stop at designated platforms, causing inconvenience

Sample Quotes:

  • buses not dropping at platform

Benefits of minibus services for community groups

5 Opinions
5 Total quotes

Minibus services empower community groups by enabling group outings, day trips, and regular activities like shopping, fostering social bonding and inclusion. They provide respite for carers, allowing breaks from routine while ensuring loved ones can still participate. Accessibility features support infirm or disabled older people, and the service connects isolated groups to events across North Ayrshire, addressing public transport limitations.

5 Total Quotes
4 Quotes Enables group outings and day trips for people with dementia and their carers

Sample Quotes:

  • We have used this service on multiple occasions organising day trips to local tourist places, museums and beauty spots... we have opened these minibus trips up to people from Millport and Arran as well as Largs, Beith, Irvine and the 3 towns... we particularly like their accessibility credentials allowing infirm or disabled older people access community transport.
  • A community bus for people with dementia would help & bring great relief to carers for transport to outings and or respite care.
  • A minibus service would allow us to offer regular day trips, a weekly shopping trip for those who would otherwise find it difficult to get out, and a dedicated dementia service connecting carers and their loved ones with activities and events. Using a minibus in itself becomes an event whereby carers and loved ones come together and bond as a group.
  • Having a minibus service would allow group members to have an afternoon or day out, supporting people with dementia and their carers by giving opportunities to break from routine and access events across North Ayrshire more easily.
2 Quotes Offers respite for carers by facilitating outings and breaks from routine

Sample Quotes:

  • Having a minibus service would allow group members to have an afternoon or day out, supporting people with dementia and their carers by giving opportunities to break from routine and access events across North Ayrshire more easily.
  • A community bus for people with dementia would help & bring great relief to carers for transport to outings and or respite care.
1 Quotes Connects isolated communities, like dementia groups, to events across North Ayrshire

Sample Quotes:

  • A community bus would help link dementia communities together so those living with this disability and their carers could attend a wider range of events throughout North Ayrshire where current public transport makes this harder.
1 Quotes Provides accessible transport for infirm or disabled older people

Sample Quotes:

  • We have used this service on multiple occasions organising day trips to local tourist places, museums and beauty spots... we have opened these minibus trips up to people from Millport and Arran as well as Largs, Beith, Irvine and the 3 towns... we particularly like their accessibility credentials allowing infirm or disabled older people access community transport.
1 Quotes Supports regular activities like shopping trips and social bonding for carers and loved ones

Sample Quotes:

  • A minibus service would allow us to offer regular day trips, a weekly shopping trip for those who would otherwise find it difficult to get out, and a dedicated dementia service connecting carers and their loved ones with activities and events. Using a minibus in itself becomes an event whereby carers and loved ones come together and bond as a group.

Cost and affordability of transport services

2 Opinions
2 Total quotes

High transport costs block access to day trips and social outings. Private senior trips and bus hire are often too expensive, especially in high-deprivation areas like North Ayrshire. This limits opportunities for community groups and individuals who rely on affordable transport.

2 Total Quotes
1 Quotes Private day trips for seniors are too expensive for many in high-deprivation areas like North Ayrshire

Sample Quotes:

  • Small charities organising day trips for seniors privately can be very expensive and out of the range of many service users in a high deprivation and poverty area like North Ayrshire
1 Quotes Bus hire costs make affordable day trips nearly impossible in the area

Sample Quotes:

  • The cost of a bus hire in our area makes it almost impossible to carry out many day trips in an affordable way.

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