Hatties tour of Yorkshire brings popular community bus to Doncaster

Stagecoach East Midlands’ community bus, Hattie, will be visiting Doncaster, Sheffield and Barnsley as part of her tour of Yorkshire to celebrate National Inclusion Week.

Hattie will be at Doncaster Market on Friday 28 September from 10.00am to 4.00pm.

Hattie, one of the original Skegness Seasiders retired from service in June, and was transformed into a community bus, kitted out with seating areas, tea and coffee making facilities, games and activities. She is supporting Stagecoach East Midlands in their efforts to bring communities together and promote health and well-being around the area.

Originally launched to benefit Stagecoach employees, the health and well-being scheme has grown in size and now extends to providing the public with access to information through a variety of events. Hattie plays a key role in helping to deliver this to the wider community providing a comfortable backdrop for the events.

The day will include talks from local historians, singing, dancing and craft activities for visitors to get involved in, as well as plenty of free tea and cakes. At the event, Stagecoach are teaming up with local charity Lets b:Friend to highlight the issue of isolation and loneliness in the community.

Doncaster-based Lets b:Friend pairs volunteers with socially isolated older neighbours to provide companionship. The charity also hosts weekly social clubs, holding sessions in cheerleading, poetry, dance and crafts.

Mike Niles, Coordinator of Lets b:Friend, said: ‘We can’t wait for Hattie to come to town! It’s going to be a day of music, activities and creativity which will start hundreds of conversations in the centre of Doncaster. We find that many older neighbours travel to town hoping to make connections but often leave having not spoken to anyone. Being in the market is such a great opportunity to raise awareness about b:Friend and bring people together for a cuppa and a chat.’

Matt Cranwell, Managing Director at Stagecoach East Midlands, said: ‘After proving popular at her launch in June, we’re delighted to be sending Hattie out on this tour to bring more communities together.

It’s the perfect opportunity for people to find out more about the charities we’re teaming up with, and spend the day getting to know others in their community. Do come along, and ‘get chatty with Hattie’!’

As part of her tour, Hattie will also be visiting Sheffield and Barnsley alongside Age UK to promote social inclusion, and provide a space for people to come together and enjoy the fun activities on board the bus.

Sheffield Cathedral, 25 September, 10.00am to 4.00pm