At sedcat we have many areas of where you can volunteer with us and help us meet the needs of people with mobility issues to prevent social isolation and loneliness.
We welcome Admin and IT support, including help with our database and website as well as volunteers to help Shopmobility customers with training.
Become a Community Cars Volunteer Driver
If you live within the Bournemouth area and would like to spare a few hours of your time, then consider becoming a Community Cars Volunteer Driver. You will need a clean driving licence and use of your own car. Expenses will be paid which should cover your petrol and help towards your running costs.
For elderly people who live alone and find themselves isolated, their world can suddenly start shrinking and all physical and mental wellbeing starts to suffer. Calling for a Community Car driver can make all the difference and gives many people a chance to get out and about and feel part of the world. again.
What would I do?
Volunteer drivers for our Community Cars Scheme Community Cars will help anyone in the Bournemouth area who can’t use public transport but still needs to get out and about. It’s a kind, caring and compassionate service which gives a safe and helping hand. The service is run with a team of volunteer drivers who use their own cars to go out into the community and drive members to where they choose to go. This might be for a GP or Dental appointment, a trip to a local Friendship Group or a visit to a Care Home to visit a loved one, even the Hairdressers – Community cars will try to help members get to where they need to go. Community Cars does not cover hospital appointments – our dedicated Hospital Hop shuttle service runs daily to Bournemouth & Christchurch Hospitals. Here’s what one of our volunteers says about the role:
“I enjoy the chats I have with your clients when taking them to their various appointments. They are always most grateful of the voluntary car service you provide for them. “
Sandara B – Community Volunteer Driver
How to do I find out more?
To find out more about becoming a volunteer driver or any of our volunteering opportunities, please telephone 01202 534027 or email us at [email protected]
Frequently asked questions:
Q. How is the Community Car Scheme run?
A. sedcat (South East Dorset Community Accessible Transport) administer the scheme by finding a driver as close as possible to the home of a Community Car member who needs help with transport. Members who are unable to use public transport and have no family, friend or carer often find using a taxi is both expensive and sometimes impersonal, so it is a great help to be able to call for a sedcat Volunteer driver.
Q. How often will I need to be available?
A. Even by giving just a few hours a week you will help. Some drivers are happy to have a regular booking every week and others prefer that we contact them to see if they would be available on an ‘ad hoc’ basis.
Q. Will I get any expenses?
A. sedcat pay 45p a mile (the recognised Government mileage payment) to each driver in respect of each individual journey; mileage starts from the driver’s home. This will cover petrol expenses and should help towards some running costs for the car.
Q. I don’t have a current DBS check, do I need one?
A. Yes, all drivers need to be DBS checked and sedcat will process and pay for this.
Q. What happens with my car insurance – do I need to amend my policy?
A. sedcat will ask you to send a form to your car insurance company advising them that you are a volunteer driver. There is normally no charge for this, and the insurance company will amend your policy accordingly.
Q. Will I need to collect any money from the person I am driving?
A. No, we will invoice the Community Car member for their journey at the beginning of the following month.
Q. Where will I be taking people?
A. Local people who are unable to use public transport, and who find taxis expensive, still need to get out and about in the community for their daily needs. So, it may involve taking a Community Car member to the Opticians, their local GP, a visit to a friendship club, even a visit to the Hairdresser. Normally, trips are within the Bournemouth area.
Q. I’m interested, what do I do now?
A. Please contact us and pop along for a chat, and remember, even by giving a few hours a week you will be helping someone who will really appreciate your help and support. Please telephone 01202 534027 or email us at [email protected]