Volunteer Driver Service

With the support of Clackmannanshire Council’s Family Wellbeing Fund, CERT are setting up a Volunteer Drivers Service (VDS) with an initial focus on Clackmannan and Menstrie.  The VDS is designed to provide transport for local residents who do not have access to alternative travel for example if they are unable to drive, perhaps have mobility or other health conditions or through the lack of affordable public transport.  Experience has shown that such services are used to help people attend medical appointments, access local clubs and activities, and local support services such as money advice or training.  The driver will typically pick up their passenger from home, take them to the destination and the driver would wait and return you to your home.

The service is provided by a bank of volunteer drivers who use their own car to transport passengers who live nearby.  Volunteer drivers are provided expenses (at 45p per mile) and passengers are encouraged to make a donation to cover the cost of the journey.

How does it work?

For volunteer drivers, you join the VDS and we make sure that your car and insurance is OK and we get you a PVG certificate (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) and take personal references.

For passengers, you are invited to become a member of the VDS and provide us with basic contact and other information such as additional mobility needs.

Once we have sufficient volunteer drivers, the VDS will launch which we hope will be asap.

Once operational, passengers should book their lift at least 48 hours in advance.

• Passengers call 07521 428 296 which will either be answered immediately or you will leave a message on when and to where you would like a lift.  You could alternatively email briony.lindsay@clacksregen.org.uk
• CERT will then contact the local volunteer drivers (via a WhatsApp group) and identify a driver who would be available to provide you with that lift.
• Your driver will contact you directly to arrange the details of the transport.
• Passengers are encouraged to make a donation to cover the costs of transport – this could be made either directly to the driver or through bank transfer.

The VDS is not available for regular journeys such as commuting to work or college where other alternative options will be explored.

Firstly, many thanks for considering donating your precious time to this service!

If you are interested in finding out more about what this means, complete this enquiry form or contact Briony Lindsay at CERT on briony.lindsay@clacksregen.org.uk or 07521 428 296.

To join, a few steps are required:

• completing a full application form.  This is available  on line  or in hard copy on request.
• you provide information to confirm your car is OK for use in the service including a copy of your MOT certificate and a car insurance certificate and a confirmation that this is OK to provide these lifts (most insurance providers allow this as standard and we will confirm this for you)
• provide information about you: a photo driving licence; proof of your address; and the names of 2 people who will provide you with a personal reference.
• CERT will apply for a Protecting Vulnerable Group (PVG) certificate for you
• you will be asked to join a drivers WhatsApp group

Then that’s all!  You are then available to provide much needed and valued lifts to you neighbours.

When we have a request for a lift, alongside all other drivers, you will be contacted via the WhatsApp group. If you are available and want to offer that lift:

• you would respond to the WhatsApp group to let us know
• you will be provided with the contact details of the passenger
• you would contact the passenger directly and arrange the details of the lift, pick up etc
• during the trip, if a passenger wishes to make a cash donation, you would collect that and we would pick these up from you.

After the trip, an expenses form will be provided to you to cover all your recent trips, no less than monthly.  You would be asked to confirm that this is accurate.  You have the option of donating these expenses to the VDS.

Are you looking for lifts and are unable to get to destinations due to mobility or other health issues or lack of affordable transport?

To find out more about on the service, complete this  enquiry form  or contact Briony Lindsay at CERT on briony.lindsay@clacksregen.org.uk or 07521 428 296.

To join, a few steps are required:

• you need to join the VDS and you can do this by completing a full application form.  This is available on line or in hard copy.
• confirm any specific mobility or additional support needs you have – this could be needing zimmers or other walking aids, or the need for a carer or friend to accompany you on trips

Once you are a member of the scheme, you can book journeys through:

• calling Briony to give her details of your trip, its date time and purpose.  If she is not available, leave a message and she will get back to you the next working day.  You could also drop her an email on briony.lindsay@clacksregen.org.uk
• Briony will approach local volunteer drivers for you and match you to a driver if possible
• a driver will contact you directly to arrange the details of your trip
• you are encouraged to make a donation to the service to help cover its costs and you can make any donations either directly to the driver or via bank transfer (we can give you details of this)