AN upper dale community transport scheme is appealing for more volunteer drivers to help out.
Utass (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Service) operates two buses from its offices in Middleton-in-Teesdale, which, along with being available for use by groups like WIs and Scouts, provides trips to tackle social isolation.
However, it depends heavily on volunteer drivers to keep going.
Among those giving up their time to the scheme is 80-year-old Alan Thompson, who became a Utass volunteer during the Covid pandemic, using his own car to deliver meals to rural homes.
He said: “When Covid was over they asked if I’d like to volunteer as a mini-bus driver. It is something to do and I enjoy driving. “
Mr Thompson completed a MiDAS minibus driving course ahead of volunteering.
Utass admin officer Claire Stoddart manages the community bus project and organises two shopping trips each month.
She said: “We go to Tindale once a month for more budget shopping and we tend to go somewhere else like a farm shop, garden centre or a Christmas market.
“Sometimes we put both buses on due to the popularity of some of the destinations.
“We have one to Lanchester Garden Centre next and that is two buses,” she added.
“It is massively rewarding to bring people together for a day out and socialising.
“We couldn’t do any of it without our volunteer drivers, so we are eternally grateful to them.”
The scheme recently received a significant boost when a new bus, complete with a lift for people in wheelchairs, was brought in to replace an ageing one that was no longer fit for purpose.
It cost £55,975 with funding from Durham County Council’s local transport plan fund contributing £38,342.50 and Teesdale Action Partnership’s area budget providing £12,000.
Upper dale county councillors Richard Bell and Ted Henderson gave £4,000 from their neighbourhood budgets towards the project.
Anyone who would like to sign up as a volunteer driver can call in at the Utass office on Chapel Row or ring Ms Stoddart on 01833 641010.
