Hunt on for transport co-ordinator
Te Puke Red Cross is on the lookout for a co-ordinator for its community transport service.
Judith Roadley has been in the role for about five years and would like to see someone — or a couple of people — take on the role.
“I’d like to see some new blood come in,” she says.
The role involves responding to calls from people wanting to use the service and then co-ordinating the 20 or so volunteer drivers.
Volunteer drivers use their own vehicle to take people who, for medical, mobility or financial reasons, find it difficult to get to appointments.
Drivers pick people up from their homes, take them to their doctor, hospital out-patient, medical specialist or medical centre appointment, wait with them and then take them back to their home. The service covers Te Puke and the outlying areas and includes appointments at Whakata¯ ne Hospital.
Judith takes the phone calls from people wanting to book the service and then finds a driver to make the trip.
“You might have to ring a few drivers and there are also stats to do at the end of the month,” she says. “It’s a rewarding job — and it’s possible to share it with someone else.”
Drivers are first-aid trained and police checked and can provide assistance to and from the vehicle.
Anyone who things they may be able to take on the role can call Judith on 573 6806.
Red Cross Te Puke was formed in 1962.
■ Red Cross will hold its annual one day raffle on December 13 with tickets sold outside Te Puke Postshop.