A voluntary car scheme is an organised form of lift giving, where volunteer drivers kindly offer their time and use their own cars to provide door to door journeys, organised through a scheme co-ordinator.
Our social car scheme provides a flexible responsive service aimed at those members of the community who, due to mobility problems, are unable to use other forms of transport.
We can provide transport for shopping, visiting friends, club/church activities, learning opportunities, social outings, hospital visiting, volunteering.
It is not appropriate for patients going into hospital, as it is not our role to replace the ambulance service. Patients who need to go to hospital should talk to their GP about this. However, we will gladly help where patients need to be accompanied on their visit.
Volunteer drivers provide a vital service to many people, often elderly, who would otherwise not be able to make many journeys. Drivers donate their time and the use of their own car (mileage and car parking expenses are paid); the variety of tasks and the chance to help local people means that many find it both interesting and rewarding.
Here's what our volunteers tell us:
"I get a lot of satisfaction from brightening someone's day".
"I like working with older people."
"Some of our passengers would never get out if it wasn't for us".
We need more drivers so we can help more people.
When volunteers join the car scheme they are asked what times they are available for driving. Certain drivers may not want to work at particular times of the day. Some will not want to drive at night, others will only do short local journeys; some may prefer regular runs, whilst other may only be available in the evenings or at weekends.
Just think of the difference one or two hours of your time could make to our community.