People interested in becoming volunteer drivers for community transport minibuses and cars are being invited to an event in Bridlington.
Residents with some time to spare are being encouraged to go along to a taster session where they can test drive a minibus and chat with the teams at HART (Holderness Area Rural Transport) and the newly formed BLCL (Bridlington Local Community Lift).
The recruitment event is being held on Friday 21 November from 10am in the South Shore Car Park in Bridlington, with two sessions for people test drive vehicles at 10am and 11am.
Community transport groups provide a vital service in the East Riding, helping older people and those with disabilities living in towns and in more rural, isolated areas travel to essential medical appointments, go shopping and go for days out.
There are three main community transport groups in the area – HART, Beverley Community Lift (BCL) and Goole GoFar – and all run important services for East Riding of Yorkshire Council including the Medibus, helping people to get to where they need to go. Bridlington Local Community Lift is a new community car scheme, supported by Beverley Community Lift.
People living in areas which may not be served by regular bus services or who may not have access to a car rely on the door-to-door community minibuses.
At this month’s recruitment event, HART is looking for more volunteer minibus drivers for its services in the Holderness area. One of its minibuses will be available on site for supervised test drives.
BLCL is looking for people who can use their own cars to give people in need lifts to medical appointments and other essential journeys.
Current volunteers and managers from both groups will be at the event to chat to interested people and offer them advice and information.
Councillor Nick Coultish, the council’s cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, said: “Community transport volunteers can make a huge difference to local residents who might not be able to get to appointments or shopping under their own steam, so I would encourage anyone interested to go along to this recruitment event, see what it’s about and see how they could help.”
For more information about the taster session or to sign up, contact 01964 536684 or email janeevison@btinternet.com
