Volunteer drivers needed for North East Lincolnshire Voluntary Transport Schemes
Official Press Release from Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council.
A number of partner organisations are working together to create a voluntary transport scheme that covers the whole of North East Lincolnshire and supports isolated residents or those who are unable to access public transport services.
Age UK North East Lincolnshire, Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Dial-A-Ride, Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council (HWRCC) Voluntary Car Scheme and Louth Voluntary Car Scheme are working together to create this county-wide voluntary transport scheme, with support from North East Lincolnshire’s Total Transport Partnership.
In order to expand, each of the schemes require more volunteer drivers so they are working together on a recruitment drive.
Volunteer drivers are needed to drive minibuses (Age UK and Dial-A-Ride) and also to use their own cars (HWRCC and Louth voluntary car schemes) to transport people who have difficulty accessing public and private transport, to health appointments and social activities or to deliver meals and small pieces of equipment.
Volunteer car drivers use their own vehicles and are paid at 45p per mile for each journey they make. All drivers will be DBS checked, receive training and can identify the times that they are available to suit their own commitments.
Volunteering to provide transport services will make a real difference to people’s lives in North East Lincolnshire, enabling people to be less isolated and contributing to improved health and wellbeing. As a volunteer you will get a lot out of the experience too, such as helping with career development, improving your confidence and meeting new people.
Carole Foster, HWRCC, who is co-ordinating this initiative across North East Lincolnshire, said: “This is an essential service for people who have difficulty accessing transport to get to essential appointments at GP surgeries, hospital appointments, chiropody, social activities or essential shopping.
The volunteer drivers provide great support to the people using the transport, without them we cannot support the 100’s of people that we transport each year some of whom would be unable to get out and meet people at all resulting in loneliness and isolation.”
Drivers volunteer for a range of reasons, here are some recent quotes:
“Just had time on my hands and enjoy the flexibility. Realise from being with passengers just how useful it is to them.”
“I like driving for the Voluntary Scheme because I feel that I am giving something back to the community”
If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Carole Foster, Administrator/Support Worker or any of the team at HWRCC by telephoning (01652) 637700 or by email: info@hwrcc.org.uk
Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council (HWRCC) was established in 1975 as an independent registered charity to promote, develop and support sustainable rural communities in the East Riding of Yorkshire, North and North East Lincolnshire.
HWRCC has a long track record in delivering a range of projects and services that have, and still are, helping to revitalise rural communities. HWRCC strong working partnerships with public bodies, voluntary and community organisations, and businesses in the region, as well as with our rural residents.
Projects in the community today focus on access to services and employment, community development, rural community buildings, transport, health and social care, rural energy and work on strengthening the voluntary sector in the region. HWRCC is involved in a wide range of innovative initiatives designed to enhance the quality of life for rural residents.
In 2015 the Total Transport Project commenced, managed by North East Lincolnshire’s Regeneration Partnership Team, it is an investigative study that will enable improved transport integration in the area. The project that is grant funded by the Department for Transport has seen the development of a Total Transport Partnership. For further details please view www.nelincs.gov.uk/total-transport