Islandwide Drivers

To transport Optio members to and from their destination using your own car. This will often be to medical appointments and is a service mostly used by the elderly and frail who have limited transport options.

Optio has been successfully operating this transport service for many years and in more recent times adapted the service to provide transport for those who could not get to essential medical appointments during lockdown and for those who needed our support to get to their vaccinations. All our are drivers recruited through the Optio Voluntary Car Scheme will have an enhanced DBS check done as part of the process. Volunteers need to have their own car to use, with up to date documentation. Cars must be reasonably easy for passengers to get in and out of - due to the passengers we are likely to be transporting. Trips will normally start from the area you live in. Essential ID and Wellbeing resources will be provided.

Mileage expenses for all trips will be covered at 45p per mile.  Valued & respected volunteer in our team and within our Island community.  The opportunity to help support and be appreciated by those you transport and in many cases bring a smile to that person’s day!

Supervision and support will be provided at all times by the Optio team and all queries and questions covered.

If interested please get in touch with Tina Clark at Community Action IW for a further conversation about how to get involved.

Telephone: 01983 524058

Email: optiovolunteer@actioniw.org.uk

Skills

Volunteers must have a clean driving license and a car in good working order – you must also be confident driving passengers in your car.  Ideally volunteers will be available to support the scheme at least some times during the week. Understanding the challenges faced by older members of our communities is helpful and having a polite, cheery and caring manner is essential. Understanding of confidentially and safeguarding of passengers is essential to this role.