Appeal for volunteer drivers to help Cornwall communities

Volunteer Cornwall has put out an urgent appeal for volunteer drivers to help people in Cornwall get to vital appointments. The charity urgently needs to recruit more volunteer drivers to help provide essential journeys to people in the community that cannot be covered by existing public transport or other local transport services. If you have your own car, some free time and are looking to help others then Volunteer Cornwall would like to hear from you. Volunteer Cornwall is an organisation dedicated to developing active and engaged citizens through volunteering. They match people who want to volunteer with organisations that need helpers. "We help transport people for a wide range of journeys, including health appointments, education, leisure, hospital visiting and shopping" said Brian Smith, Transport Contracts Manager for Volunteer Cornwall. "We help many thousands of people, operating millions of miles across Cornwall". Volunteers need to be: • Friendly • Have their own car (clean, insured and MOT'd) and a relatively clean driving license • Willingness to help others • Some free time • Prepared to take part in training courses While the charity would be happy to hear from anyone interested in becoming a volunteer driver, they are particularly keen to recruit drivers from the following areas: • Falmouth / Penryn • Truro • Saltash/Torpoint • St Agnes / Perranporth • Newquay • Camelford / Boscastle "As people now have to contribute to towards the costs of their journey, we want to try and reduce the amount they have to pay by providing drivers who live close by " said Brian ."While we already have drivers across most of Cornwall, we currently need to recruit drivers in the areas listed above". People become volunteer drivers for a wide range of reasons. "I used to suffer with depression and getting out and meeting people is a therapy, and the expenses are a big help towards running the car "said one volunteer driver, while another added "having moved down from Northampton, and did not want to retire, I saw an advert for volunteer driving. It is a good way of learning about Cornwall and doing something useful in the community". Another volunteer, who was sent to Volunteer Cornwall by the job centre, said "I am too young to retire and it is my way of putting something back into the community and justifies me keeping my car and a way of meeting people", while CE, who was widowed nine years ago and fed up after looking at the walls since retiring five years ago, said "it is far better getting out meeting people, having my fuel costs covered. It's also the best excuse I can think of not to cut the grass!" Anyone who is interested in finding out about becoming a volunteer driver should ring Brian Smith on 01872 265302