MORE volunteer drivers are being sought in Teesdale to help people over 50 live a little more.
A social car scheme has been launched in the dale by Supportive, a charity which delivers not-for-profit social care services across the county. After helping thousands of people with their transport needs over the past 26 years, the charity decided to trial the initiative in Teesdale following a £7,000 grant from Teesdale Action Partnership (TAP). The idea is to support residents over 50 by helping with journeys such as visits to hospitals and shops, as well as meeting friends and family and attending community groups. A separate volunteer driver scheme already exists which offers transport for health appointments.
Supportive trustee Linda Tyman said: “The scheme is aimed at anyone over the age of 50 who is socially isolated or vulnerable who can’t get to the shops or go to see their friends. It is specifically for people in the Teesdale area.”
Supportive has more than 160 volunteer drivers who between them complete in excess of 100,000 journeys each year but more are needed in Teesdale.
Ms Tyman said: “We need more volunteer drivers up in this area. We are always recruiting volunteer drivers for our transport schemes. The drivers get so much pleasure in helping people who can’t get a bus or who haven’t got the confidence to come out of the house.
“Our aim is to support any gaps in transport to ensure vulnerable people who are socially isolated feel they can join existing groups and be picked up from their homes to go to various community groups. Whether it is an hour a week or a day or five days a week, it’s the volunteers’ choice. The volunteer drivers use their own vehicles and receive a mileage allowance.
“They are used in conjunction with the taxi services who already do a sterling job transporting people to day clubs.”
The charity works closely with the Alzheimer’s Society, Durham County Carers, Age UK County Durham, day clubs, Wellbeing for Life and Joining the Dots.
TAP co-ordinator Adam White said: “Access to affordable transport can be an issue within Teesdale. Hopefully, the Supportive initiative will help some of our most vulnerable residents by providing access to a wide range of social opportunities, which would be an issue without transport.”
The money received from TAP will be used to cover journeys from the Teesdale AAP area only.
Chief executive officer at Supportive John Davison said: “This scheme links people together. We are supporting communities to thrive. It opens other opportunities for people. It is nice to be able to look at the more rural areas of County Durham. If we can get a few more volunteer drivers that would make such a difference to people’s lives.”
Volunteers must have three years’ driving experience and acceptance onto the scheme will be subject to a vetting process. To become a volunteer driver or to register for the scheme, contact Jack Ball or Heather Hopper on 01740 658885 or visit the Supportive Facebook page.
