Bus operator gives local people a Grand Day Out to tackle loneliness

• Stagecoach East Midlands and Age UK take group to Normanby Hall
• Award-winning country park
• Mental-health benefits of meeting people and making connections

Local bus operator, Stagecoach East Midlands, has run a Grand Day Out to an award-winning local landmark, in a bid to tackle loneliness and isolation amongst older people.

The bus operator worked with Age UK to take guests to Normanby Hall, a Regency mansion set in 300 acres of picturesque parkland, the award-winning Normanby Hall Country Park. Normanby Hall was built in 1825 and designed by Sir Robert Smirke. It was previously home to the Dukes of Buckingham and Normanby.

The Grand Day Out included interactive activities in the morning meant to create connections and tackle loneliness. The group then had a two-course hot lunch, with free time in the afternoon to explore the grounds.

Matt Cranwell, Managing Director of Stagecoach East Midlands, said: “Loneliness can have a terrible effect on people of any age, particularly as we get older, and getting out and about by bus can be a wonderful way to meet new people and make new connections.

“We all know that it is better for our mental health to have new experiences, so we were delighted to have been able to work with Age UK to provide this opportunity.”

Natalie Spikings, Services Manager of Age UK Hull & East Yorkshire, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Stagecoach for supporting this fantastic day out to Normanby Hall. Taking place during Loneliness Awareness Week, the event brought together older people from Age UK Hull and East Yorkshire, along with others connected through local voluntary, community and social-enterprise organisations.

“Many of the attendees experience loneliness or isolation, and events like this provide a valuable opportunity to connect, build new relationships, and create meaningful moments — some of which can be truly life-changing.”

Loneliness Awareness Week runs from 9 -15 June 2025. ‘Meeting loneliness together’, this year's theme, is all about reducing the stigma around this natural human emotion.

For more information on getting out and about by bus, go to https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/east-midlands/family-days-out

-ENDS-

Media enquiries: [email protected]  

About Stagecoach 

Founded in 1980, Stagecoach is the UK’s largest bus and coach operator, with a fleet of 8,400 vehicles connecting over 100 major towns and cities across England, Scotland, and Wales.

With 25,000 people in our team, we’re deeply rooted in the communities we serve. We know how important it is to stay connected to the people and places that matter – and we’re proud to play our part in helping make everyday journey simpler, greener and more reliable.

It’s all part of our promise: we’ve got you.

We work closely with partners to support greener, smarter, and more inclusive transport – helping reduce congestion, cut emissions and boost local economies. Nearly 10% of our 8,400-strong fleet is now electric, and that number continues to grow as we invest in cleaner, more sustainable travel.

As part of our sustainability strategy, we’ve committed to supporting local communities by donating up to 0.5% of profit before tax each year to charitable causes across the UK.