Cumbrian people interested in helping their communities to get out and about are being encouraged to mark National Volunteers’ Week 2019 (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 350 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.
They 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.
They are specifically looking for a Volunteer Co-ordinator in Coniston, Brampton and Workington and volunteer car drivers are sought throughout the county.
On Thursday 6 June the council’s Volunteer Transport Officer will be attending a West Cumbria Volunteer Event at The Solway Hall, Lowther Street, Whitehaven with the aim of recruiting more volunteers.
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 www.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.
