A new volunteer driver scheme with the aim of helping vulnerable adults is set to launch in Oldham thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community.
The service is designed to help vulnerable people travel to their medical appointments, pick up their prescriptions, go to the barbers or hairdressers, get to a social event or travel anywhere else they need to get to in Oldham.
The service is already being run in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale.
The scheme is being launched by HMR Circle and is currently in the ‘soft launch’ stage with the first areas set to be Royton as well as Shaw and Crompton.
Mark Wynn, director of HMR Circle, explained why the service has been launched in Oldham and said: “We were approached by a group called Action Together.
“They asked if we could bring the volunteer driver service to Oldham because there was a lot of demand from older people who were struggling with transport and getting to hospital appointments.
“It’s aimed really at all the people who can’t or struggle to use public transport.
“If somebody can’t catch the bus and they have to a use a taxi, taxis are very expensive, they may miss vital appointments and obviously their health is impacted by that.”
Mr Wynn also explained the eligibility criteria for people looking to volunteer as a driver.
He said: “It’s not going to come as a surprise but they need to be able to drive and ideally have access to their own vehicle.
“The driver, in an ideal world, is friendly and enjoys talking to people.
“An element of local knowledge obviously is helpful.
“The big question we always get asked is, does it affect your insurance? And the answer is no.
“Virtually all insurance policies are fine with volunteer driving.
“We have all the documentation for potential volunteers.”
Drivers will be paid 45p per mile on the day, to support the cost of petrol as well as insuring and maintaining the vehicle.
People who want to volunteer as a driver need to contact hello@hmrcircle.co.uk.
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