Case Study | The Art of Community Transport with The VC Gallery
This case study highlights the impact of Community Transport when organisations work together with the shared objectives to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing and ensure accessible transport for those who need it most.
PACTO’s Free-Lease Vehicle Programme has recently supported The VC Gallery, a registered charity based in Pembrokeshire, by providing them with a wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) to strengthen their Community Transport provision and reach more people across the county.
Quick Facts (October 2024 – September 2025)
- 932 additional passenger trips delivered
- 85% of passengers with mobility needs
- 184 passenger beneficiaries
- 9 volunteers supporting delivery
- 574 volunteer hours contributed
- 4,763 miles travelled
- £102,261 in social value generated
About The VC Gallery
The VC Gallery is a Pembrokeshire-based charity that uses art as a tool for social engagement. It provides safe, inclusive, creative spaces where people can build confidence, form meaningful connections, and overcome challenges such as social isolation, mental health difficulties and financial hardship.
Working closely with veterans, vulnerable groups and the wider community, the VC Gallery delivers weekly art programmes, workshops and exhibitions that support hundreds of individuals. Through funding from NHS Hywel Dda UHB, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, the charity supports over 200 individuals every week across its two hubs in Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest.
The WAV provides safe, comfortable, and fully accessible transport for wheelchair users and passengers with mobility needs. It enables individuals to attend the VC Gallery, access essential services and appointments and participate in community events.
The vehicle complements the Gallery’s existing wheelchair-accessible minibus, increasing capacity and flexibility within its Community Transport offer. By removing both physical and financial barriers, the Free-Lease initiative helps people stay connected, independent and active within their communities.
Access to reliable transport has significantly enhanced the VC Gallery’s ability to deliver inclusive, community-focused services. The project has increased organisational capacity while ensuring transport provision genuinely reflects local needs.
“PACTO has enabled us to get the fleet together and to be able to reach further, targeting hard-to-reach veterans and community members with mobility issues, mental health conditions, and anxiety disorders. We are able to support and peer mentor them, transporting them to appointments and, more importantly, into services.“
Barry John MBE, Founder – VC Gallery
To support modern, efficient service delivery, the VC Gallery is introducing new digital systems to replace traditional paper-based processes. A data management platform will streamline bookings, journey records, and compliance reporting, improving transparency and saving valuable time.
A Volunteer Driver App is also being piloted, allowing volunteers to complete vehicle safety checks, record mileage and report maintenance issues via smartphone or tablet. This improves safety, accountability, and volunteer experience while supporting regulatory compliance.
PACTO’s Accessible Vehicle Co-ordinator, Damian Golden, provided specialist support throughout the VC Gallery’s journey as a new Community Transport operator, including:
- Accessible-vehicle specifications and standards
- Sourcing wheelchair-accessible vehicle suppliers
- Maintenance, servicing, insurance, MOT, and inspections
- LOLER checks, permits, and VAT exemption processes
- Service Level Agreements and fleet management
- Telematics and data collection
- MiDAS accessible driver and vehicle training
- Volunteer recruitment and retention
This hands-on guidance ensured the VC Gallery could confidently develop a safe, compliant, and sustainable transport service.
“If people can’t attend appointments due to transport barriers, it places additional strain on NHS services. By picking up individuals who might otherwise miss appointments, we help reduce DNAs (Did Not Attends) and improve health outcomes for the whole community.”
Gareth, Veteran and Volunteer Driver
This case study demonstrates how Motability Foundation funding, combined with collaborative partnership working, can deliver meaningful change. A short film accompanies this project, illustrating how tailored support has enabled a new Community Transport operator to provide inclusive, accessible transport and improve lives across Pembrokeshire.
You can read the case study in full by following this link.
About the Motability Foundation
The Motability Foundation is an independent charity set up in 1977.
We fund, support, research and innovate so that all disabled people can make the journeys they choose. We oversee the Motability Scheme and provide grants to help those most in need to access it. We award grants to other charities and organisations that improve or advocate for accessible transport. Working with disabled people, government and industry, we drive innovation and collaboration to build transport equity.