Asylum Seekers Community Transport Scheme

Asylum Seekers Community Transport Scheme

Asylum seekers will gain access to vital services and social opportunities by booking low-cost journeys with volunteer drivers.

  • If you are an asylum seeker and you want to register for this service, please contact the scheme by calling or texting 07826 596900 to book an appointment.

The Need

The cost of regular public transport is a significant burden for asylum seekers. Asylum seekers are not allowed to work and, therefore, rely exclusively on their government allowance. The weekly allowance for a single adult is £37.75 for food, clothing, toiletries, personal items and transportation. The cost in Swansea of an adult day bus ticket is £4.50 and a weekly ticket is £23.00 which is approximately 60% of a person’s weekly allowance. Taxis are even more expensive and asylum seekers are not eligible for other community transport schemes. Frequently, they must choose between using transport to access services or to remain isolated.

Asylum Seekers will experience:


  • Decreased isolation by improved access to vital services and social opportunities.
  • Improved confidence, quality of life and wellbeing.
  • Improved English skills – by accessing ESOL classes.
  • Improved access to volunteering opportunities
Volunteer Driver’s lives will be enriched as they make relationships with asylum seekers. This will lead to increased understanding, decreased fear and improved community cohesion.

Volunteer Benefits

Drivers will receive 45p per mile travel reimbursement and at least one of the following trainings depending on interest and eligibility:
  • MiDAS - Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme – which is a registration-based scheme that has been designed to enhance minibus driving standards and promote the safer operation of minibuses.
  • A D1 license is required to operate a minibus and attend this training.
  • MiDAS Car & MPV provides the opportunity for organisations operating smaller vehicles, or voluntary car schemes, to deliver the same level of training to their drivers as MiDAS gives to minibus drivers. It follows the same modular format, providing drivers with the information they need to provide safe and comfortable transport for their passengers.
Administration assistants will receive:
  • Training on Microsoft Office (Excel, Word), customer service, organisation and record keeping.
  • Transportation reimbursement.
All volunteers will receive a full induction, have regular meetings with the Project Manager and have the opportunity to sit on the steering group for this project. They will also be provided with references upon request.

This Project is funded by The Big Lottery

We are actively recruiting volunteer drivers and administration assistants.

Please contact Emily 01792470298 or Email emily.dougherty@africancommunitycentre.org.uk

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