If you enjoy driving, meeting new people and would like to help your local community we want you and your wheels to join our Voluntary Car Service.
Every day our non-emergency Patient Transport Service assists hundreds of people to attend a variety of medical appointments and this is supported by a dedicated team of volunteer car drivers.
For the patients they help, our volunteer drivers provide a friendly face and listening ear by putting them at ease during what can be an anxious and stressful time. They provide that personal touch to brighten their day as they collect a patient from their home, help get them to where they need to be at the hospital and make sure they get safely back to their own home.
Our drivers often become a regular part of someone’s life and for some their journeys together may be the only chance a patient has to get out of the house for days or even weeks.
The service currently has more than 200 volunteer drivers who come from all different walks of life and have a shared aim to help lend a hand. However, it’s not just the patients that benefit as our volunteers see and feel the difference that they are making to someone else’s life.
All fuel costs and additional expenses are refunded and full training is provided. You don’t need to have any previous medical experience; all we want is a friendly and caring attitude.
To become a volunteer you will need to:
- Hold a valid, full UK driving licence with no more than six penalty points
- Have access to a car with a minimum of four doors
- Have fully comprehensive insurance
- Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (funded by the trust)
- Take part in our volunteer training course
- Complete online mandatory training
As a volunteer driver, you’ll step into people’s lives for one-off or regular appointments. During that time, you’ll make a huge difference to them and the NHS.
We encourage applications from drivers of all ages, from all communities and cultures.
For more information you email the team on VCS.Recruitment@nwas.nhs.uk.