Volunteer drivers needed for weekly intergenerational event

We are looking for helpers to convey isolated and often lonely individuals to a weekly intergenerational CommuniTea event at Weston Adventure Playground.

We run CommuniTea coffee mornings with The Southampton Children’s Play Association (SCPA) every Thursday during term-time from 10am, which allows often lonely and isolated people to meet other people of all ages and socialise, which is extremely important for them.

Call for volunteer drivers

We have regulars who love to attend the events, however we urgently need more volunteer drivers to provide just a little bit of time each week to help get them to and from the gathering.

Although we can find roles for most people wishing to assist us and will not turn individuals away, we’re ideally looking for those who have time to spare between 9am and 4pm from Monday to Friday. This is when those that use all our general services require assistance.

Can you help?

We’re keen to hear from individuals who can help, even if they have just 30 minutes every now and then to spare, and, also, groups that already operate in the community who could help, such as Neighbourhood Watch groups, book clubs, WI groups, flower arranging clubs, all sorts really.

Even when people have only a few minutes to spare and are not available on a regular basis, there are ways in which they can really help to make a difference to someone who needs support.

Our Communiteers

Communiteers are offered simple and basic training on topics such as safeguarding, manual handling and developing listening skills. They can choose their level of involvement and the types of activities they wish to engage in too.

Support provided is at a neighbourly level and Communicare does not offer professional, personal care, which can be given by statutory providers, or routine cleaning or gardening.

Richard Plume, one of our Volunteers, said: “I have been a volunteer driver for Communicare for the last two years. This involves driving service users to various medical and social appointments and helping those who need mobility assistance.

Rewarding experience

“I enjoy giving up my time for volunteering in this way as it is a rewarding experience. Service users appreciate the additional flexibility and assistance, which would not be provided by a conventional taxi service.”

We are now inviting people from all walks of life and of all ages who have a current UK driving license and their own car to get in touch. Expenses incurred will be reimbursed.

Drivers typically work an average of anything from 30 minutes to an hour a week, or on a pre-agreed ‘on-call’ basis, depending on the individual’s availability. If you can spare a few hours, please do give us a call. It would mean such a lot to our service users who are unable to make their own way to our social events and other activities including essential appointments.

To find out more or to sign up to become a Communiteer, please click here.