There are 17 schemes set up across Westmorland and Furness to provide transport for all members of the community of any age (Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult).
Voluntary Social Car Scheme is intended for those people who have no other means of transport. We have volunteers who provide a door to door service across the county to collect you from your home and take you to your chosen destination for a reasonable cost.
The service can be used for a wide variety of purposes including; making connections with public transport, doing the weekly shop, medical appointments, or just for visiting friends.
Voluntary Social Car Scheme customer terms of use (PDF , 302KB)
To find out where your nearest Voluntary Car Scheme is, please contact the Voluntary Transport Officer:
Telephone: 0333 240 69 65 (option 5)
Mobile: 07788 396194
Email: integrated.transport@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
If you want to volunteer
To run the scheme we rely on our volunteer drivers and coordinators, and we're always looking for more people to join the team. There is no minimum time commitment and as a thank you from local businesses, once you are a volunteer, you will be able to take advantage of their generous discounts.
You can drive as often and regularly or as little and infrequently as you wish. You can advise your local coordinator of any days/times when you know that you will be unavailable. The local coordinator will call you with details of a journey and to see if you are available but if not, they will contact another driver.
Volunteer co-ordinators
Co-ordinators organise transport, recruit drivers and publicise the scheme in their local area. We are currently looking to recruit volunteer co-ordinators (all expenses are reimbursed) in:
- Sedbergh / Dent
- Ulverston / Dalton-in-Furness
- Kirkby Stephen
Volunteer drivers
Drivers provide transport for people using your own car, and you will be reimbursed fuel expenses at 45 pence per mile, and an extra 5p per additional passenger. You will also collect the cash fare and offer a receipt to the passenger (this may be declined if not required).
You would not be required to go into a clients home, when we collect a client, we sometimes go to their front door, check they have their key and then walk them to the car. We help guide them in (we do not lift) and make sure they have their seat belt on. If we have taken a client shopping, we would help them in with their small bags if you are physically able.
We are currently looking to recruit volunteer drivers for the following areas:
- Alston
- Grange-over-Sands
- Kendal
- Kirkby Stephen
- Orton
- Sedbergh
- Shap
- Tebay
- Ulverston
Most insurance companies will allow volunteering activities; however, we do look for verification of this using a copy of confirmation from them for Business Use or an Indemnity. Excess occurred due to incident whilst carrying out the car scheme work are reimbursed for. Any increase in premiums due to loss of no claims bonus is covered by the our insurance. Personal Accident Insurance is not available from over the age of 80 (as this is not obtainable) through us and would need to be supplied by yourself.
We carry out a Driving Licence check every 3 years and are made aware should a Driving Licence be revoked / expired. Drivers are not DBS checked as we do not provide transport to anyone under the age of 18 unaccompanied or provide transport to day care. Passengers requiring assistance must provide their own. Two references are required upon application.
How to join the team
If you have some spare time and would like to help co-ordinating or driving in your local area, please get in touch:
Telephone: 0333 240 69 65 (option 5)
Mobile: 07788 396194
Email: integrated.transport@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
You will then be given a pack of information and asked for a completed application form which includes basic details, a photo, bank account details for reimbursement, a driving licence check form, insurance information and the contact details of two references.
Once you are cleared to drive, your details are passed to the local coordinator, and they will contact you for introductions and discuss preferences before your first journey request is sent.
New schemes
We are also currently looking to set up new voluntary schemes in several areas of the county, and are seeking volunteer co-ordinators and drivers in the following locations:
- Rampside
- Roosebeck
- Newbiggin
- Leece
- Dendron
- Stank
If you want to start a new scheme
Our Volunteer Transport Officer, Katy Wood, helps local people to set up new voluntary driving schemes in their area. Katy can advise on the steps you need to take and give support. For more information:
Telephone: 0333 240 69 65 (option 5)
Mobile: 07788 396194
Email: integrated.transport@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Post:
Voluntary Transport Officer
PO Box 415
Carlisle
CA1 9GU