‘Wonderful’ drivers who give up their time to help
VOLUNTARY drivers who help the elderly and vulnerable access medical appointments have been nominated for an award.
The team of 44 people from across the Moorlands, who offer their services free of charge through Support Staffordshire’s Voluntary Transport scheme, have been put forward for recognition.
Beryl and Ray Cope, 88 and 89, made the nomination for Voluntary Group of the Year.
Ray, from Leek, said: “The drivers are absolutely wonderful. I don’t know what we’d do without them.
“They take us to medical appointments, sometimes as far away as Solihull, come in and wait with us, then bring us home again afterwards.”
The couple have been using the Voluntary Transport scheme for five years.
Beryl added: “They use their own cars and give up their time free of charge. We just pay for mileage.
“If we need to go to our local doctor they will take us there, wait and then bring us home. It costs about £3 for the whole journey. A taxi wouldn’t wait for us and would cost a lot more than that. We can’t thank them enough.”
Jill Norman, Support Staffordshire’s operations manager for North Staffordshire, oversees the scheme.
She said: “It’s a volunteer-run service and they do an absolutely amazing job. They all use their own cars and get paid mileage but are not paid for their time.
“They help people to attend mostly medical appointments but also to go to social activities, go shopping or to meet up with friends. All of those things are so important in terms of people’s health.”
Voluntary car schemes operate across the county, but Jill said they are particularly important in areas such as the Moorlands where there is a danger of people becoming isolated.
“Not everyone has a car or is able to use it, and not everyone is able to access public transport. Having someone else in the community who can help them is essential.
“Without a voluntary car service, people’s lives would be diminished.”
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer driver can contact Sally Bentley on 01538 381356.