How
can I make a donation?
Who
is eligible to use the VHC services?
Can
I get help with any transport problem?
What
else can I get help with?
Do
volunteer drivers get paid?
Who
owns the cars?
Should
I offer helpers payment?
Can
I get help with household tasks when I am recovering from an operation?
I
am able-bodied but can’t drive. Can I still help?
I
can afford to pay for help. Should I offer it?
Can
you offer any specialist forms of help; for example to the hearing
impaired or partially sighted?
I’d
like to help but don’t have very much time available?
Do
I have to pay to use the service?
Do
you sometimes say no?
What
formalities do I have to go through to volunteer?
Who
can I talk things over with?
How
can I make a donation?
Simple! Just
click here and fill out the form(s).
Who
is eligible to use the VHC services?
Anyone, young or old, with or without a disability, may ask to
use the car service provided that neither a family car nor any
form of suitable public transport is available for the intended
journey. Anyone in the community may use the non-driving side
of the service.
Can
I get help with any transport problem?
We do what we can to help with any reasonable request. Speak to
the Co-ordinator or Car Service Administrator if you are not sure.
What
else can I get help with?
We can help with shopping, befriending, dog walking, helping with
correspondence, respite care, odd jobs.
Do
volunteer drivers get paid?
Drivers are paid the running costs (currently 36p per mile) –
passengers contribute at a rate that is supplemented by a grant
received from Suffolk County Council.
Who
owns the cars?
Drivers provide and drive their own cars.
Should
I offer helpers payment?
Users of the car service contribute at a rate set down by Suffolk
Highways Department.
Users of the non-driving side of the service do not need to pay,
but are welcome to make a donation to the Voluntary Help Centre
if they would like to.
Can
I get help with household tasks when I am recovering from an operation?
We can offer help with shopping, befriending, collecting prescriptions,
etc. We are unable to help with domestic cleaning. Age Concern
could help with this.
I
am able-bodied but can’t drive. Can I still help?
Absolutely – there is a variety of non-driving task we get
involved in: shopping, befriending, collecting prescriptions,
dog walking – speak to the Co-ordinator for more information.
I
can afford to pay for help. Should I offer it?
The only charge made is for the car service. Donations can be
made to the VHC if desired.
Can
you offer any specialist forms of help; for example to the hearing
impaired or partially sighted?
Our ability to help depends on availability of volunteers. Please
get in touch and let us know of any specific needs and we will
do our best to help. If we are unable to help, we will find someone
who can.
I’d
like to help but don’t have very much time available?
Volunteers fit what they can do for us around the time they have
available. Your time, no matter how limited can be of valuable
help to someone, so please talk to us.
Do
I have to pay to use the service?
Only if you use the car service.
Do
you sometimes say no?
We do our best to help out with all reasonable requests, but our
ability to do so depends on availability of volunteers and the
number of requests which we receive. Giving us plenty of notice
of your needs will help. If your request is one that we are unable
to cover from the VHC, we will do our utmost to find the appropriate
agency for your needs.
What
formalities do I have to go through to volunteer?
Initially, speak to the co-ordinator. There is a Registration
form to complete and two references are taken up. CRB clearance
will be arranged. Drivers have to have written confirmation from
their Insurance Company that their insurance covers them for voluntary
driving. The co-ordinator has pre-printed forms for all of these
and will help you.
Who
can I talk thing over with?
The Co-ordinator, Vicki Doy
