For many people across the South Coast, getting from A to B isn’t always straightforward.
Whether it’s attending a medical appointment, doing the grocery shopping, visiting family, getting to school or connecting with training opportunities, transport can be the difference between participating in community life and missing out altogether.
That’s where Coast and Country Community Services comes in.
While many people know Coast and Country for providing transport to medical appointments, the organisation’s services extend far beyond healthcare.
“We provide transport to almost anybody we can,” said Jen from Coast and Country Community Services.
The organisation supports people to attend medical appointments, but also helps community members get to social activities, visit family and friends, go shopping, attend hairdressing and other personal wellbeing appointments and participate in everyday life.
“As simple as a lunch out with friends, we will take them to do that as well,” Jen said.
Operating across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, Coast and Country has offices in Ulladulla, Nowra, Kiama, Oak Flats and Vincentia Point, providing a range of transport services to meet different community needs.
“We service the entire community,” Jen said.
For people over 65, services are accessed through My Aged Care, while other community transport programs are available for younger residents and people with different support needs.
Breaking Down Barriers to Education and Training
Now, Coast and Country is helping tackle another challenge facing local communities: transport to education, training and employment opportunities.
The organisation has recently been approved to deliver a new transport service connecting people with study, training and work through apprenticeships and traineeships.
The initiative responds to a challenge many local students and job seekers know well.
“There’s no bus that connects to the train that’s on time. It’s a massive barrier for young people and for mature-age students to connect to study and work opportunities.”
The service will provide transport connections between Ulladulla, Nowra and the Illawarra-Shellharbour region, helping eligible participants access opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
The program has initially been funded for 12 months, with Coast and Country hoping strong community demand will help demonstrate the ongoing need for the service. “We already know the need’s there,” Jamie said.
Interest in the program is already growing, with local residents beginning to register.
For local students, apprentices, trainees and job seekers attending Registered training, the new service could help remove one of the biggest barriers to accessing opportunities beyond their immediate area – simply getting there.
To find out more and explore your transport needs, call 1300 411 345 or visit cccsl.org.au