Shopper Buses
Our Shopper Bus will take you from your front door to the local supermarket where volunteers can help you carry bags, fetch items, and board on and off the bus.
Our vehicles are wheelchair accessible and have low-floors for those who struggle with steps. This is the perfect low-cost alternative to public transport for those who have difficulties using it to go shopping.
Our clients have told us that they find the service very convenient and it helps them maintain personal independence.
"'My shopping trips' are the highlight of my lonely life!"
Routes and Fares
A return fare is £6 (£3 for a single). If you would like a carer to accompany you, this will be a further charge of £2 for a return fare (or £1 for a single.)
Hertsmere
| Location | Days | Destinations |
| Borehamwood | Tuesdays | Morrisons or Tesco |
| Bushey and Bushey Heath | Mondays | Tesco Extra (Watford) |
| Potters Bar | Fridays | Tesco |
| Radlett | Thursdays | London Colney Shopping Park |
Three Rivers
| Location | Days | Destinations |
| Abbots Langley, Bedmond, Leavesden | Tuesdays | ASDA and Sainsbury's (Watford) |
| Rickmansworth, Moor Park, Mill End | Thursdays and Fridays | Waitrose and Tesco |
| Sarratt, Chandler's Cross, Loudwater, Croxley Green | Tuesdays | Waitrose and Tesco (Rickmansworth) |
| South Oxhey, Carpenders Park | Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays | Waitrose and Tesco (Rickmansworth) |
Watford
| Location | Days | Destinations |
| Woodside, Meriden, Stanborough, Leggats, Tudor, Callowland | Mondays | ASDA and Sainsbury's |
| Nascot, Park, Central, Oxhey, Vicarage, Holywell | Tuesdays | Aldi, Lidl and Tesco |
Welwyn Hatfield
| Locations | Days | Destinations |
| Cuffley, Welwyn Garden City | Wednesdays | Morrisons and Tesco |
| Hatfield, Welham Green | Thursdays | Aldi, ASDA and Tesco |
| Hatfield Villages, Welwyn Garden City | Fridays | Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose |
| Welwyn Garden City | Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays | Aldi, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Waitrose |
| Welwyn | Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays | Aldi, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Waitrose |
Community Bus to Jimmy Mac's Lunch Club
We have a service running Monday - Friday taking passengers to Jimmy Mac's Lunch Club at The Hive. If you'd like to learn more about this service, click the button below.
Special Offer: 20% Discount
Until March 2025, you will receive a discount of 20% on block bookings of four trips or more!
Example
If you book four return trips, you only need to pay £19.20 instead of £24 (plus your £10 nominal fee to access the service).
This block booking discount also applies to the Welwyn Hatfield Community Bus.
Book Your Seat
If you'd like to book a seat on a Shopper Bus near you, just telephone 01727 649980 or email travel@communities1st.org.uk.
Our friendly staff will guide you through a simple registration process where we'll collect some basic information to tailor the service to your needs.
A nominal yearly fee (£10) grants you access to this invaluable service. Please book your place as early as possible to guarantee a place on the trip.
Clients' Positive Feedback
Here is what our clients' have told us about the Shopper Bus service:
It "enables me to maintain a level of independence."
"The driver who takes me to ASDA is a diamond. I really look forward to my outing."
"I have found it very convenient and a pleasure to use the Watford Shopper minibus to do my shopping the past few weeks."
"Drivers are very friendly and helpful. Was not expecting them to help me with my shopping."
"Love the Shopper Bus."
Volunteer with the Shopper Bus
"The Shopper Bus service has been an absolute godsend."
We are always looking for volunteers to help us deliver this vital service.
Volunteer Bus Buddies
Bus Buddies are the perfect link between passenger and driver. While the driver concentrates on the route and parking safely, Bus Buddies can help passengers to board and disembark, also to fetch items in the supermarket and carry shopping. They are also friendly faces and able to enjoy chatting with passengers.
Mike, one of our volunteer drivers, recently told us:
"When you’re driving it is useful to have another pair of hands. Things don’t always go to plan and another helper can help. For example, you can’t always find somewhere to park so it’s good if someone can stay with the passengers while I go off and park."
Our vehicles are parked at the main office in St Albans - this would be the base for your volunteering, but if you live near where our routes start, we may be able to collect you at the start of the day.
To register your interest in becoming a Bus Buddy, click the button below.
Volunteer Drivers
Volunteer drivers take the wheel of our Shopper Buses! They make sure our vehicles get to passengers in a safe and timely manner, delivering them to the supermarkets and then back home. Drivers must have a clean license, be honest and reliable and have good time-keeping. Click here for more information.
Simon, one of our trusted drivers, says:
"About ninety percent of the people I’m giving lifts to can’t get out into the community. They couldn’t do without the service. It not only helps them do their shopping, but it provides social contact. They couldn’t do without it.”
Our vehicles are parked at the main office in St Albans - this would be the base for your volunteering.
Click the button below to register your interest in becoming a volunteer driver.
Driver and Bus Buddy Feedback
Here is what our Drivers and Bus Buddies have told us about supporting the Shopper Bus service:
"Communities 1st staff are there to support you... They are kind and caring and offer great support."
"You feel part of a team working for a common good."
"Seeing the difference that you make really does make you feel good."
"Helping people get out and about who would otherwise be isolated is the main reason I do this."
Driving is the "perfect job for retired people!"
"This suits me well and fits in with the rest of my life."
"Driving for Communities 1st [has] a 'feel good factor'. No two days are the same!"
"We hope to make a difference every day."
Volunteer with Communities 1st
Interested in volunteering but not sure which role is for you?
Take a look at our Volunteer Blogs to learn what our volunteers get up to in their diverse roles, and see what might fit your skills: click here.
British Photography Awards Shortlist Success
Communities 1st is delighted to announce that a photograph of our canine volunteer Beau has been shortlisted for the British Photography Awards' Mobile Photography Awards 2024! The photo was captured by Lucy from the Communications team to be used in promotional materials to advertise our Shopper Bus service.
Beau is one of many canine volunteers. His main responsibilities include canine communications, pet project management and human relationship building. Though Beau is very happy to sit in the driver's seat of the Shopper Bus, we do not let him operate heavy machinery; his paws can’t reach the pedals.
We're pleased that local news outlets have shared our happy news! Click the links below to read articles in: