Caithness Rural Transport 'desperate' for volunteer drivers
Volunteers are desperately needed for a community transport service that allows members of the public across Caithness to get out and about for everything from shopping trips to medical appointments.
Caithness Rural Transport carries out an average of 686 runs a month, with vehicles covering up to 300 miles around the county in a single day and helping to make up for the limitations of public transport.
There are two staff drivers and around 20 volunteers who give up whatever time they can.
Four days a week they take patients to the renal unit at Caithness General Hospital. For other users it can mean being able to attend social engagements or have a weekly visit to the hairdresser.
There are 10 vehicles, including one electric vehicle, ranging from four or five-seaters up to 16-seaters. All are equipped to take wheelchairs and mobility scooters, with side steps and with ramps at the back.
The service, part of Caithness Voluntary Group (CVG), has been running for 24 years and there are currently about 230 members. They pay an annual membership fee as well as a charge per journey.
Coordinator Elaine Fraser and assistant coordinator Katy Malcolm manage the service from the CVG offices at Telford House in Williamson Street, Wick.
"We're desperately needing volunteer drivers," Elaine said this week. “If they've got time on their hands, if they're retired or semi-retired, if they're working shifts and are keen to help the community, we would ask them to get in touch.
“A lot of drivers like meeting people. If they feel they're isolated themselves and are able to drive, they could get out and about and meet people."
Elaine explained that users appreciate the personal touch.
“It's a door-to-door service so if somebody needs a hand with their wheelchair, or a hand just to steady themselves coming out, we always ensure that they're back in the house okay," she said.
"With regular ones we know if they need a hand to get into their wheelchair or a hand to get their coat on. The drivers get to know the clients.
“We get a lot of positive feedback from the drivers about the service. A lot of people are really grateful.
“If they want to travel alone we can try to do that, but if not we group people together."
All drivers are trained through MiDAS (the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme).
“They would get an induction in how everything works, and go out with a driver," Elaine said. "They need a clean licence and go through PVG [Protecting Vulnerable Groups, managed by Disclosure Scotland].
“Some might say they can do a couple of hours in the morning or a couple of hours in the afternoon. You get some people who work offshore and can only do the three weeks when they're at home. You just email out and if they're available, they're available."
Alan Harness has been volunteering as a driver for a year now and enjoys taking the passengers wherever they need to go.
He said: “You're one-to-one with the person that you're taking a run. It's rewarding.”
One vehicle is based in Dunbeath, with some based in Thurso and others in Wick
Anyone interested in volunteering for Caithness Rural Transport can phone 01955 605588, email transport@cvg.org.uk or call in at CVG during office hours.
Vehicles also go out on hire to football clubs, dance schools and other community groups.
"They are well used," Elaine pointed out. "If we didn't have the buses, these groups would be stuck as well."