Transport in the community

Community transport plays an important part in tackling social isolation, maintaining well-being and enabling people to access health services. It’s especially important for older people and those with disability or mobility issues, but also for younger people and families who lack their own transport and need to get to college, commute to work and access social facilities. In a primarily rural county like Norfolk the challenges are greater than in highly urbanised areas.

Commercial operators often find rural routes financially uneconomic and, whilst subsidised services and the concessionary travel pass are invaluable to many older people, for some areas of the county it’s not just cost which is the issue, but availability. And it’s community transport that can make a world of difference.

Thousands of people across Norfolk rely on volunteer drivers to help them get out and about and do everyday things that most of us take for granted. A simple trip to the shops or a routine appointment at the doctors can be complicated, if not impossible, for some people without the support of a volunteer driver.

Anybody can become a volunteer and our drivers come from all walks of life – some are retired people who want to keep busy, others are students eager to gain valuable work experience.

Our drivers find it a rewarding way to spend their free time because they know what a significant difference they are making to the lives of others.

Philip, 58, says: “I looked forward to retiring but was determined to keep my life as active and busy as it had always been. It’s very rewarding to put my energy into helping people who, for whatever reason, find life a struggle. Not everybody can jump in the car and drive to the supermarket or to the doctors’ surgery, which is where I come in.”

So, if you enjoy driving and have some spare time, you may be just the person we are looking for.  Register your interest at https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/jobs-training-and-volunteering/volunteering/c...