ACTIVE and In Touch, the local charity which seeks to alleviate loneliness and isolation in Frome and the surrounding villages, and which was recently awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services, is seeking new drivers to enlarge the existing team.
The organisation report, “For people who are isolated, who find it difficult to use public transport or are vulnerable, Active and In Touch alongside Frome Community Drivers are real lifelines; the latter ensuring people in need are able to access places which are otherwise inaccessible to them.
“Currently there are 28 volunteer community drivers, undertaking in excess of 180 journeys per month, both locally for a variety of reasons and further afield to hospital appointments at RUH, Shepton Mallet and Bristol hospitals. The service is, however, growing all the time and sometimes it is not possible to respond positively to every request. A wheelchair friendly driver would be especially welcomed.
“To book a driver for a journey, people can make contact either by e-mail on hello@fromecommunitydrivers.org.uk or by ringing 07596 59139, in each case giving 24 hours’ notice. Drivers are able to choose which journeys they would like to undertake, and increasingly there are more people requesting regular journeys, thus encouraging a rapport between passenger and driver.
“As one current volunteer said, “It’s a wonderful thing to do and the people I drive are so appreciative”.
“If you have some time to spare, would like to help people in need and are interested in volunteering, or wish to find out more about the service, please use the contacts identified above and speak to Morag, Coordinator at Frome Community Drivers.”
