A community bus would help fight rural isolation, says Rachael Beech

Rhayader Community Support (RCS) already runs a transport scheme which provides lifts for locals with health problems.

But it is now trying to raise funds to buy a community bus to help people in isolated areas get out more and enjoy better social lives.

Project manager Rachael Beech believes the bus will improve the quality of life for the 4,000 or so people living in the Rhayader area.

"We already have 250 clients who are taken to various health appointments by our volunteers," said Mrs Beech.

"A community bus could be used to enhance our service by providing social trips such as taking people to the hairdressers and on shopping trips.

"The bus could also be used by other groups to take clients on trips," added Mrs Beech, who hopes the bus will be financed by December 2003.

More organisations are now represented in the town

RCS was set up in 1985 but received a huge boost last July after a �250,000 project meant it could buy a building to set up a community one-stop shop.

The group's base in the town centre houses an eight-unit telecentre which anyone can use free of charge.

"Groups that use the telecentre include an over-55 internet club and a children's out of school club," said Mrs Beech, who runs the project alongside Bel Crewe, transport administrator Sarah Baker and telecentre supervisor Daniel Sanderson.

RCS also houses a job club where people can get help to write their CVs and surf websites for jobs.

It also offers a careers advice service, information bureau, volunteer centre and outreach services.

RCS also rents out accommodation to local voluntary groups such as Chwarae Teg - an organisation that aims to get women and lone parents back to work.

"We were set up to answer concerns that different organisations weren't represented in Rhayader," said Mrs Beech.

"But we can now offer all these facilities and we hope to set up more outreach facilities in the near future," she added.