STAFF at aged care organisation Uniting AgeWell are putting the call out for volunteer drivers to help deliver their community transport services.<\/p>\n
Team leader Ray Chamberlain said their numbers have seen a significant drop off since the pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had a bit of a shortage due to COVID. In Ballarat we currently have eight volunteers and that number is slowly dwindling,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re looking for at least another 10. We generally get people between their 60s and 70s and servicing people over 65.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur volunteers take people predominantly to medical appointments but we\u2019ll take them anywhere from shopping to hairdressers to personal visits.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost of them probably couldn\u2019t manage to catch a bus to and from those appointments so giving them that personalised service, often bringing them to and from the building entrance, is invaluable.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe problem we have is we can\u2019t keep bringing clients on if we don\u2019t have the drivers to get them where they need to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Chamberlain said prior to the pandemic, they had 18 drivers registered in Ballarat and that he\u2019s hoping they can reach that number again.<\/p>\n
Colin Harris has been a volunteer driver with Uniting AgeWell for about a year and said it\u2019s been a rewarding experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a pleasure to drive them around. I really enjoy just helping out especially with some of the older people who can\u2019t get in or out of the car,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had a bit of spare time these days so this started from there. I would definitely recommend people give this a go because it\u2019s definitely needed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Chamberlain said volunteer drivers are integral to their operation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are it. They provide transport to a really valuable section of the community that generally can\u2019t access it for a number of reasons,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Call 13 93 75 or email volunteers@unitingagewell.org for more information.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
STAFF at aged care organisation Uniting AgeWell are putting the call out for volunteer drivers to help deliver their community transport services. Team leader Ray Chamberlain said their numbers have seen a significant drop off since the pandemic. \u201cWe\u2019ve had a bit of a shortage due to COVID. In Ballarat we currently have eight volunteers […]<\/p>\n