[C]umbrian people interested in helping their communities to get out and about are being encouraged to mark Volunteers’ Week (1 – 7 June) by coming forward and teaming up with Cumbria County Council’s Community Transport service.
New faces are needed to join our voluntary social car and community minibus schemes, providing transport for people who cannot make journeys by public or private transport.
Community Transport has a team of over 400 volunteers who have made thousands of journeys helping to get people out and about. There are around 50 voluntary social car schemes operating throughout Cumbria, as well as a number of community transport schemes providing journeys for people who need to do the weekly shop, see the doctor, or just to visit friends.
We are always on the look-out for more people able to give up some of their spare time to be volunteer drivers or scheme coordinators. All expenses are reimbursed.
Councillor Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for transport, said: “Our volunteers do a fantastic job and play a vital role getting people out and about, we couldn’t provide a service without their valued efforts. We’re always looking for more volunteers to support our community transport schemes, so if you have some time to spare we’d love to hear from you.”
Anyone interested in finding out more should contact Katy Wood, the council’s Voluntary Transport Officer, 07788396194, or visit cumbria.gov.uk/communitytransport
As well as learning new skills and providing a lifeline for people without access to transport, signing up as a volunteer is a good way to meet new people and give something back to the community.
A number of activities are taking place around the county to mark National Volunteers Week and these would present a great opportunity for anyone interested in volunteering in the community transport team to go along and find out more –
- A new ‘Village Wheels’ service provided by volunteers launches on Tuesday 5 June to transport people from the Newbiggin / Greystoke areas into Penrith and connect with the public service 104 to Carlisle and public service X4 / X5 to Keswick. We have four volunteers (and one reserve) that are kindly driving a council-owned minibus for a Tuesday weekly service.
- Tuesday 5 June, Eric Best, our Workington Voluntary Social Car Scheme Co-ordinator will be attending Carnegie Theatre, Workington at 12 – 1.30pm hoping to recruit more car drivers – anyone can pop along for more info and a friendly chat with Eric.
- Wednesday 6 June, Volunteer Transport Officers from the council will be attending a Volunteer Event at Kendal Town Hall from 12 – 1.30pm hoping to recruit more volunteers.
- Thursday 7 June, Volunteer Transport Officers from the council will be attending an Eden Volunteer Event at the Masonic Hall in Alston from 12 – 1.30pm hoping to recruit more volunteers.
