Community Car Scheme - Volunteering
Door to Door Transport. New Drivers Welcome!
Why not be a volunteer driver and help local people get out and about?
On the social car care scheme, volunteers use their own cars to take passengers on social activities, visit friends and relatives, to various appointments, and for shopping.
Many volunteers around the county get as much, if not more from being a volunteer driver than they give.
As volunteer drivers say, you make new friends, hear funny stories, have lots of laughs, and feel good when people say what a difference the service makes to their lives.
Volunteers are vital for the service to run – join us in the driving seat!
1. How much time do I need to give?
As much or as little as you want. Any time you give on any day of the week would be extremely helpful to us.
2. What notice will I get?
We will always give you as much notice as possible but you can always say no if you are unavailable.
3. Will I get any help with my expenses?
The only cost to you is your time. You will receive reimbursement for every mile you travel using your own car when driving for the scheme.
4. Who needs my help?
People who find it difficult or impossible to access Public Transport.
5. What do I need to have to become a volunteer driver?
- Valid Driving License
- Roadworthy car
- Current Insurance
- Telephone/Mobile
- Liking for people
Any training and support that is needed will be provided by VAOW.
Q 6. Is it just about driving?
It is what you make it. You can just enjoy the driving or you can get to know all sorts of people from all walks of life.
The volunteer drivers receive a diary of work for the week according to their own availability, the type of car they have, whether they can take a wheelchair etc. Fitting in all our clients for the times they have requested is a jigsaw! Squeezing in emergencies on a Monday and hearing that roadworks are causing tailbacks, sometimes causes the jigsaw to break up and that is when mobiles come into their own!
In the year to 31st March 2003 our volunteer drivers completed over 58,000 miles (6,000 more than last year) and well over 11,000 passenger journeys (2,300 more than last year). We have 21 regular drivers with an additional 7 volunteers we can call on for emergencies. We have had a successful recruitment campaign in 2003, which resulted in four new drivers, but at the same time we have lost three for various reasons.
All our volunteer drivers need to attend relevant training courses and need to complete a criminal records bureau check.
Interested?
Then please fill in the Application Form, for further enquires please speak to Dave Williams or Emma Lyon by Telephone (0116) 2880508 (out of hours answerphone) or by email.
Email: car.scheme@vaow.org.uk
Office opening times 9.30am – 12.30pm Monday to Friday