Young people with disabilities at Portland Charity have been handed a transport lifeline following the delivery of a new 16-seat accessible Lord’s Taverners minibus.

The new 16-seat wheelchair accessible minibus will provide the college with more opportunities to transport learners between sites, provide easier access to medical appointments, and offer access to community events and other activities, such as Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions, that offer essential lifeskills development opportunities.

Portland Charity chief executive and principal Dr Mark Dale said: “We are grateful for the hard work and generous donations achieved from both the Lord’s Taverners and Portland’s fundraising activities. This new vehicle has increased the opportunity for learners to access the community and improve their independence skills. We also use our fleet to transport local residents during evenings and weekends to access activities at the college.”

Portland applied for the minibus in 2019, but the pandemic and then supply issues in the motor industry led to the delay. However, the Lord’s Taverners, which aims to empower young people through cricket, has decided to honour approved minibus applications, while putting the rest of the programme on hold.

Its new strategy puts the primary focus on national cricket programmes that deliver life-changing work in communities across the country. empowering young people with disabilities and from disadvantaged communities to overcome the challenges of inequality, raise aspirations and reach their potential.

Mansfield’s deputy mayor, Craig Whitby (pictured above with some of Portland’s independent living citizens), who helped the Lord’s Taverners to present the minibus, added: “The Lord’s Taverners charity does incredible work.

“This minibus is not just a vehicle. It’s a gateway to new opportunities, experiences, and friendships for the learners at Portland College.”