Sometimes it's the smallest gestures that leave the biggest impact. Every day she is being collected, service user Bridget prepares a little brown paper bag for each of our drivers. Inside are their favourite treats, a drink, sweets, crisps, biscuits, and even a piece of fruit. What makes it even more special is that Bridget knows every driver's favourites and always makes sure she knows who is collecting her, so their bag is ready and waiting. It's a simple act of kindness,

What does it really mean to be a volunteer driver? Recently, our Development Officer spent the day with John, one of DART’s dedicated Social Car Scheme volunteer drivers, to find out. John is no stranger to DART. After spending 20 years behind the wheel as one of our minibus drivers, he retired from his role—but not from helping others. Today, he volunteers one day each week, using his own car to support people across our community to get where they need to be. For many of th

Whether you’re organising a day trip, attending a community event, heading to a sporting fixture or planning a social outing, reliable transport can often be one of the biggest challenges for community groups. At Down Armagh Rural Transport Partnership (DART), we’re here to help. Our self-drive minibus hire service gives community, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations the freedom and flexibility to travel together safely, comfortably and affordably. Travel on Your Terms

At DART Partnership, we know that a day out is about much more than simply getting from A to B. For many of our service users, our organised day trips provide an opportunity to socialise, make new memories and enjoy experiences that would otherwise be out of reach. Recently, we took a group of our service users to Forestside Shopping Centre in Belfast, where everyone enjoyed browsing the shops, having lunch and spending quality time together. The smiles on everyone's faces th

At DART Partnership, every journey tells a story. Whether it's helping someone get to an important appointment, taking a group on a day trip, or simply making it possible for someone to enjoy a morning shopping trip with friends, our drivers make a real difference every day. This summer, we're inviting our community to help us tell those stories through the lens of a camera. Introducing Our Summer Photo Competition! Throughout July and August, we're encouraging our DART drive

Last Wednesday, the DART team had the pleasure of attending the Brownlow Community Health & Men’s Wellbeing Event at the Legahory Centre, Brownlow, and what a fantastic day it was! We’d like to say a huge thank you to the Promoting Wellbeing Division for inviting us to be part of such an inspiring event, bringing together local organisations that are passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of our communities. The event was a wonderful opportunity to shine a light

Last week, from 15th–21st June, we proudly marked Loneliness Awareness Week by celebrating the power of connection, friendship, and community. Throughout the week, we spent time with our service users, listening to their stories and reflecting on the positive impact that community transport has on their lives. It was a wonderful opportunity to bring people together, share experiences, and highlight how important social connections are for wellbeing. As part of our celebration

Having been married for 62 years, John and Maureen Lennon have spent a lifetime supporting one another through life’s ups and downs. Today, they are regular users of DART’s Community Transport service, which has helped them regain the independence they thought they had lost. For many years, John was the family’s main driver. However, following a bleed on the brain, he began experiencing memory problems and no longer felt confident behind the wheel. “I was forgetting things an

As part of Loneliness Awareness Week, we invited a group of our service users to join us for lunch at the wonderful No.7 Restaurant at Rushmere. Some of those attending had never met before, while others were surprised to discover they already knew one another from years gone by. What started as a simple meal together quickly became something much more meaningful. Over delicious food and plenty of conversation, friendships were strengthened, memories were shared, and new conn

For Moira, community transport is much more than a way of getting from one place to another. It is independence, dignity, confidence, and the freedom to live life beyond the front door. Before using DART, Moira was able to drive herself. She describes herself as an extremely independent person, but following a serious brain injury, driving was no longer safe and she had to give up her car. Moira sustained her brain injury while working in Spain, after being involved in a seri

At DART, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. As a community transport organisation, we work closely with vulnerable adults and people who may be at risk for a variety of reasons. Every journey we provide is about more than transport, it is about ensuring our passengers feel safe, respected, supported and valued at all times. Recently, our team took part in updated safeguarding training to refresh our knowledge and strengthen our understanding of best practice wh

Last Friday, residents from Templar Court in Lurgan enjoyed a wonderful day out to Titanic Belfast, accompanied by our awesome driver Phil. Templar Court is an independent living scheme managed by Clanmil Housing Association, providing a welcoming and supportive community for older residents. Trips like these are about so much more than simply getting out for the day, they play an important role in supporting the wellbeing, happiness and independence of older people. For man

Meet Millar, a valued DART Volunteer. When Millar first became involved with DART back in 2007, he had no idea how much it would become part of his life. After a chance conversation outside Tesco and being handed a DART leaflet, he decided to give volunteering a go, and nearly two decades later, he’s still making a difference in his local community. Millar started out helping with groups in Aghagallon and Derrytrasna and quickly discovered how rewarding volunteering could be.

Last week, DART was pleased to join the Community Transport Association and fellow rural transport providers in meeting with Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins to discuss the growing impact of community transport services across Northern Ireland. The meeting highlighted the positive difference increased Department for Infrastructure funding has made over the past year, allowing community transport organisations to deliver more journeys, respond to growing demand, and provide

Last Thursday and Friday marked a very special occasion for a number of DART passengers who graduated from Southern Regional College in Banbridge and Lurgan. For many of these students, attending SRC has been about far more than education. It has provided routine, friendships, confidence, independence, and the opportunity to be part of their community. One particularly special milestone was Noel’s graduation after an incredible 19 years attending SRC. This was a huge moment n

DART was pleased to attend a recent meeting hosted by Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins alongside the Community Transport Association and a number of rural transport providers from across Northern Ireland. ( Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has met with the Community Transport Association and a number of rural transport service providers to hear about the impact increased DFI funding for this vital service, has had on the lives of so many over the past year. ) The meet

This week, we supported a lady living with dementia on her first journey with DART Community Transport and it’s one we won’t forget. Before the journey, we carried out a thorough risk assessment with her family, taking time to understand what would help her feel safe and comfortable. We learned that she can feel unsettled by unfamiliar environments, prefers reassurance, and doesn’t like bumps in the road but that country music helps her relax. With that in mind, our team plan

At Community Transport, we are always working to improve our services. A big part of that comes from listening, really listening, to the people who use them. We regularly telephone our service users, send out surveys, host focus groups and create opportunities for feedback in many different ways. This helps us understand what’s working well and where we can do better, ensuring our passengers feel heard, valued, and satisfied with the service they receive. We’re human, and lik

At DART Community Transport, we are proud to support a wide range of organisations that play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of our communities. One such organisation is MindWise , a leading mental health charity in Northern Ireland. Based in Lurgan, MindWise provides essential support for individuals affected by mental illness, as well as their families and carers. Their work extends across Lurgan, Newry, Banbridge, and Kilkeel, offering opportunities for connectio

Bridging the Gap: The Lifeline of Community Transport in Rural Areas