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Volunteer Drivers

A team of volunteer drivers help people with disabilities, older people, sick children, people with learning disabilities and people with mental health problems to attend medical and similar appointments. Generally the driver stays with the passenger and brings them home again if required. A charge is made to the passenger to cover the cost of the volunteer's petrol. If you'd like more details, contact the Car Scheme Manager. Or you can phone us on 01457 865722. Download Car Scheme Driver Leaflet 960k

The Car Scheme is a service where Volunteer Drivers use their own vehicles to transport people to and from various places. Drivers are not paid, instead a they receive a small amount from the passenger, which is based on 40p per mile, to cover petrol costs and general car maintenance costs.

As a driver, you will pick the passenger up from their own homes, transport them to wherever they are going, and in most cases, wait with them until they are ready to return home. A patient, friendly, calm and reassuring nature are useful for this role. For many of our passengers, this is their only way of actually getting to an appointment, and the volunteers are invaluable.

Who uses the Car Scheme?

Car Scheme passengers have to meet certain criteria to be able to use the service. The Scheme is only available to anyone who, due to illness, age or disability, are unable to use public transport such as buses and trains to get about and would struggle to use taxis, or they may have a mental health condition that means they would be greatly distressed at the idea of using public transport. Also, the scheme is open to anyone going to a hospital appointment for a procedure that will leave them unable to travel home alone. The Car Scheme is not available on financial grounds.

Will I be paid for the use of my car?

We recognise that a car can be a costly investment, so with the Car Scheme there is a set fare to cover the cost of your petrol and wear and tear on the road while you are with us. The charges are based on 40p per mile, and the charges are explained in this leaflet. All mileage you incur while travelling to the office for training or induction etc will be reimbursed

How much time will I need to give?

You can give as much or as little time as you like to volunteering for the Car Scheme. Our current drivers come from many backgrounds, some work full time, some are retired, some are unemployed and others are students. Any time you can give to volunteering, either a job a day or a couple of hours a week would be very welcome.

At the Car Scheme, we have an extremely flexible attitude to work, there are no set rules with regards to time commitment at all. All we ask is that you simply take on work that you are happy to do, knowing that you are comfortable doing it, and if this means you are in and out of central Manchester every day, or just going to Glossop once a week, any job you take on will be hugely appreciated by one of our passengers. But please note that despite the flexibility, you are committed when you are on a job, and elderly or disabled people will rely on your support to get them home safely.

How do I become a Volunteer Driver?

Simply contact the Car Scheme Manager at Volunteer Centre Glossop on (01457) 865722, or call into the office at 73, High Street West to request an application pack and have an informal chat. Then, flick through the application pack and fill in the registration form, affix two photos of yourself to the form and bring the form itself, plus your driving license, insurance documents and MOT certificate to the office and attend an induction talk.

This is where you will have the opportunity to meet with the car scheme manager and ask any questions you may have. The Manager will chat to you about the car scheme, and following this, arrange for you to go out on one or two jobs with experienced volunteer drivers, so you can meet some other members of the team and experience driving for the scheme first hand. After this, if you feel confident, you can begin your voluntary driving.

Support for drivers

The Car Scheme Manager and other Centre staff are available between Monday and Friday (9am to 5pm), to answer any queries or concerns you might have, or simply for you to come down to the office for a cup of tea and a chat.

Training on First Aid, Wheelchair Management, Moving and Handling, disability awareness and others are available, and you will be informed when these courses arise. The courses are free to all volunteer drivers.

You will also receive the full benefits of volunteering, be able to meet new people and make new friends, as well as providing an invaluable service to many people from all walks of life. We aim to make volunteering as enjoyable as possible, and there will always be support for the drivers.