Volunteer Hub
Volunteer Driver
Organisation Details
Wythenshawe Good Neighbours
Activity type: Driving, Older People
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: Wythenshawe Good Neighbours (WGN) is a community organisation based in Wythenshawe. Our work is embedded within the wider Greater Manchester Age Friendly Strategy - working to make Manchester a great place to grow older.
We support older people in Wythenshawe to access local services, support networks and helpful information. We also host coffee mornings, community lunches and trips to seaside and tourist destinations outside of Manchester.
Our new project is the WGN Volunteer Drivers Scheme, launching in October 2023. This scheme will provide affordable and accessible transport to our WGN Members from A to B across Wythenshawe. The WGN membership scheme will see volunteers driving older people to health appointments, organised activities and social engagements across Wythenshawe. They will also be a ‘friendly face’ for service users, informing them about local support for older people (including relating to the cost-of-living crisis) and distributing details of things to do, such as visiting Age Friendly Wythenshawe information ‘Corners’ and social and/health events in community venues.
Volunteer support is at the heart of WGN’s services for older people, and Volunteer Drivers will be central to the scheme. The volunteers will receive initial training and ongoing support. They’ll use their own car and receive 45p per mile to reimburse the cost of petrol when volunteer driving, and to support insurance and vehicle maintenance.
We support older people in Wythenshawe to access local services, support networks and helpful information. We also host coffee mornings, community lunches and trips to seaside and tourist destinations outside of Manchester.
Our new project is the WGN Volunteer Drivers Scheme, launching in October 2023. This scheme will provide affordable and accessible transport to our WGN Members from A to B across Wythenshawe. The WGN membership scheme will see volunteers driving older people to health appointments, organised activities and social engagements across Wythenshawe. They will also be a ‘friendly face’ for service users, informing them about local support for older people (including relating to the cost-of-living crisis) and distributing details of things to do, such as visiting Age Friendly Wythenshawe information ‘Corners’ and social and/health events in community venues.
Volunteer support is at the heart of WGN’s services for older people, and Volunteer Drivers will be central to the scheme. The volunteers will receive initial training and ongoing support. They’ll use their own car and receive 45p per mile to reimburse the cost of petrol when volunteer driving, and to support insurance and vehicle maintenance.
Description of role: Do you own and drive your own vehicle? Do you have 1-hour minimum per week to give back to older people in your community? If the answer is yes, come and volunteer for Wythenshawe Good Neighbours!
Wythenshawe Good Neighbours (WGN) is recruiting friendly Volunteer Drivers for its new Volunteer Drivers Scheme. The scheme is open Monday-Friday 9-5pm but there is no expectation to volunteer more than an hour a week unless you are free to do so.
Volunteer Drivers will receive training and support from the WGN Team in driving WGN Members to and from health appointments, organised activities and social engagements across Wythenshawe.
They will also be a ‘friendly face’ for service users, informing them about local support for older people (including relating to the cost-of-living crisis) and distributing details of things to do, such as visiting Age Friendly Wythenshawe information ‘Corners’ and social and/health events in community venues.
Volunteer support is at the heart of WGN’s services for older people, and Volunteer Drivers will be central to the scheme. The volunteers will receive initial training and ongoing support. They’ll use their own car and receive 45p per mile to reimburse the cost of petrol when volunteer driving and to support insurance and vehicle maintenance.
Benefits and Perks:
This is a brand new scheme - new to Wythenshawe and new to us as an organisation. This is an excellent opportunity for a dynamic Volunteer Driver to help us build and expand the scheme.
• Support local older people in Wythenshawe to reduce loneliness and isolation.
• Gain experience in the community sector.
• Work alongside fellow volunteers, enjoy social meetups and an annual Volunteer Celebration.
• Receive a Certificate of Participation upon completion of training.
• Receive a Certificate of Thanks annually as part of Volunteers Week.
• Access to further professional training, e.g. First Aid, Health and Safety.
• Opportunity to support, celebrate and be directly involved with Wythenshawe’s Age Friendly community.
• Opportunity to meet our WGN Members - the loveliest and most welcoming bunch! Chat with them, hear their stories and enjoy intergenerational company.
• Most importantly, you will receive a fetching Volunteer Driver Lanyard AND a striking High-Vis vest!
Skills Required:
• Valid, clean UK driver’s licence and safe driving record plus your own vehicle with full MOT certificate, Car Tax and Insurance Policy.
• Friendly and chatty personality - it is vital that WGN Members feel comfortable and welcomed during the journeys.
• Good timekeeping and organisation skills - the WGN Team will book all the journeys with you and organise the mileage, but it is crucial that you are on time and organised during your trips with us.
• Clear communication with the WGN Team - the WGN Team needs to know if your circumstances change, e.g., your vehicle changes or you develop a health condition that impairs driving.
Ultimately, being a Volunteer Driver with WGN is about being a safe, responsible and considerate driver and friendly, chatty and personable with WGN Members during the journey.
The WGN Team is open to all applications to become a Volunteer Driver, and we will support you with training and advice to help you excel in this opportunity. If you have any questions about the benefits, skills, or qualifications needed for the role, please ring us at 0161 905 3898 or email WGNManager@outlook.com.
Wythenshawe Good Neighbours (WGN) is recruiting friendly Volunteer Drivers for its new Volunteer Drivers Scheme. The scheme is open Monday-Friday 9-5pm but there is no expectation to volunteer more than an hour a week unless you are free to do so.
Volunteer Drivers will receive training and support from the WGN Team in driving WGN Members to and from health appointments, organised activities and social engagements across Wythenshawe.
They will also be a ‘friendly face’ for service users, informing them about local support for older people (including relating to the cost-of-living crisis) and distributing details of things to do, such as visiting Age Friendly Wythenshawe information ‘Corners’ and social and/health events in community venues.
Volunteer support is at the heart of WGN’s services for older people, and Volunteer Drivers will be central to the scheme. The volunteers will receive initial training and ongoing support. They’ll use their own car and receive 45p per mile to reimburse the cost of petrol when volunteer driving and to support insurance and vehicle maintenance.
Benefits and Perks:
This is a brand new scheme - new to Wythenshawe and new to us as an organisation. This is an excellent opportunity for a dynamic Volunteer Driver to help us build and expand the scheme.
• Support local older people in Wythenshawe to reduce loneliness and isolation.
• Gain experience in the community sector.
• Work alongside fellow volunteers, enjoy social meetups and an annual Volunteer Celebration.
• Receive a Certificate of Participation upon completion of training.
• Receive a Certificate of Thanks annually as part of Volunteers Week.
• Access to further professional training, e.g. First Aid, Health and Safety.
• Opportunity to support, celebrate and be directly involved with Wythenshawe’s Age Friendly community.
• Opportunity to meet our WGN Members - the loveliest and most welcoming bunch! Chat with them, hear their stories and enjoy intergenerational company.
• Most importantly, you will receive a fetching Volunteer Driver Lanyard AND a striking High-Vis vest!
Skills Required:
• Valid, clean UK driver’s licence and safe driving record plus your own vehicle with full MOT certificate, Car Tax and Insurance Policy.
• Friendly and chatty personality - it is vital that WGN Members feel comfortable and welcomed during the journeys.
• Good timekeeping and organisation skills - the WGN Team will book all the journeys with you and organise the mileage, but it is crucial that you are on time and organised during your trips with us.
• Clear communication with the WGN Team - the WGN Team needs to know if your circumstances change, e.g., your vehicle changes or you develop a health condition that impairs driving.
Ultimately, being a Volunteer Driver with WGN is about being a safe, responsible and considerate driver and friendly, chatty and personable with WGN Members during the journey.
The WGN Team is open to all applications to become a Volunteer Driver, and we will support you with training and advice to help you excel in this opportunity. If you have any questions about the benefits, skills, or qualifications needed for the role, please ring us at 0161 905 3898 or email WGNManager@outlook.com.
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Customer Service, Oral Communication Skills
Are volunteer expenses available?: Yes
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Monday AM, Monday PM, Tuesday AM, Tuesday PM, Wednesday AM, Wednesday PM, Thursday AM, Thursday PM, Friday AM, Friday PM
DBS required: On
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: 1 hr a week
Location:
Flat 6, Thorngrove House, 9 Thorngrove Avenue, Baguley.
Manchester
M23 9PQ