VOLUNTEER CAR DRIVER

We Urgently Need To Recruit More Volunteers Car Drivers

Who Can:

• Drive their own cars to transport passengers to their essential medical appointments. (GPs & Hospital to Dentists & Opticians)

• We don’t need a regular commitment from drivers, as we book journeys in accordance with availability.

• Mileage costs are reimbursed, and your insurance is not affected

  Our Volunteer drivers provide more than just transport, they afford independence and a lifeline to the person in their passenger seat and also offer companionship, a listening ear, and a friendly chat.

On average, our drivers help get our passengers to over 16,000 MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS in a year - the equivalent of almost 40,000 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE

Thank you so much for showing interest in joining our wonderful team of volunteer car drivers. Please complete the form below, and we will be in touch shortly to get you started.

“My name is Rosemary and I am a DACT Volunteer car driver having previously spent 13 years in the DACT Office as an employee.

I have been volunteering for 7 years since I retired from working  for DACT, as I saw the value in the volunteering experience from the volunteers I use to work with. I love helping people and talking with the wonderful passengers I take to their medical appointments.

The great thing was I got to put names to faces of passengers I had only spoke to from the office before and get to know them better. My office experience meant I knew what needed to be done without much training. So many of the passengers are very grateful and appreciative of the service and have stated they don’t know what they would do without DACT.

I have during my time as a volunteer, also recommended being a volunteer to various friends adding how you gain a sense of achievement and satisfaction from it. I point out to potential volunteers that that the DACT system is so easy with no great demands on your available time.

It is entirely up to the individual how much or little they want to do and DACT tailor make the trips to suit your abilities e.g. taking a wheelchair or walker or how much assistance they are able to offer a passenger.

I hope to continue for some time ye, even though I am now in my early 70’s, as it gives me a sense of purpose”.

Jane volunteered as a car scheme driver at DACT for over 9 years, taking elderly and vulnerable people to and from their medical and well-being appointments. Below is what she has to say about her time volunteering with Dact

“Every journey is different, always rewarding but every passenger has a unique story to tell. I love chatting to them about their lives and am truly humbled by how positive they all are in the face of the health and mobility challenges they face. I enjoy driving but it’s knowing you are making a difference and giving back to your community that makes it all worthwhile.”

“My name is Graham and I am a volunteer driver. I drive my own car, and the Dact Mobility Car or minibus.

I have been volunteering with DACT since 2023 and decided to volunteer with DACT as I felt the charity was providing a service that did not exist within the Daventry District.

I enjoy helping people who are less fortunate than myself and get real pleasure in meeting all types and ages and having a good chat about life in general. Its amazing how often you meet complete strangers who know or are even related to friends you already have.

I particularly enjoy driving the Mobility Car as this is a specialised vehicle for taking people who are permanently in a wheelchair. The vehicle allows them to travel in comfort and safety to the medical appointments and they can see the surrounding countryside from the large windows in the car. Sometimes this is the only time they leave their homes, and you can see how this helps improve their wellbeing. The car can also take their helper of carer.

One chap I have been taking for several months to Reach for Health had lost the use of his arms and legs. I was truly amazed that the last time I called for him he was able to walk to his front door to let me in. He says that without DACT and our mobility car he would not have regained the use of his limbs.

I would encourage anyone who can drive a car to consider volunteering with DACT as you will get out far more than you put in by helping people who have no other means of travelling to medical appointments”.

My name is David. I’m 79 years young and have been living in Daventry for five years. I’m writing this to focus on an organisation which has come to mean such a lot to me. I often ask myself whether I need them more than they need me! DACT, Daventry Area Community Transport, is, in my opinion, a perfect example of what a charity should be. Efficiently caring for peoples needs, easy to contact and deserving of its Queens award. A small tightly-knit group of office staff and over a hundred volunteers work together to provide a variety of services, primarily to the elderly and less-able. Medical and related appointments are a focal area, and that’s how I came into the picture. A DACT flyer on a surgery notice board asking for volunteer drivers was all it took for me to give them a call, and its been a wonderfully fulfilling journey for the last five years. What makes it so? Well the first thing that comes to mind is that freely giving ones time is giving much more than money. Secondly, being able to meaningfully assist people from all walks of life and to learn from them at the same time gives me a lot of pleasure. And then third but not least is knowing that alternative means of transport to appointments would often cost a lot and even take a whole day involving a couple of bus trips for an hour’s consultation.

It is worth mentioning that DACT has what is known as “the mobility car”. A purpose-made customised transporter designed to carry wheelchair-bound passengers and up to three others to appointments which otherwise might only be possible using the ambulance service or sometimes difficult-to-find speciality taxis. This particular service is much valued by users but sadly perhaps a little constrained due to there being only a handful of volunteers who make themselves available. Driving the car is not much different to one’s own, and an electric winch makes loading and unloading a piece of cake.

Also, it would be remiss of me not to give an honourable mention and salute to the volunteers who drive the DACT buses. Pick-up and return home on Market Days and almost daily trips to interesting venues around the country give an opportunity to ‘get out and about’ for a small fee. A popular service, often oversubscribed.

It is an honour and a privilege to be a small part of a great team of people who tirelessly give their time to the community, whether they are administrators or volunteers. I recommend joining us if you are somewhat at a loose end so to speak.

My name is Janey Shemilt and I am a Volunteer Car driver with DACT.

I have, much to my surprise, been driving for DACT for ten years!

I started then as I was gradually retiring from my medical photographic business and happened to chat with a founder member and indomitable force, Avis Hughes.

I could immediately see that it was something I could do…as much or as little as I wanted to or could allow the time.

Over the years I have met so many interesting people as I drive and they chat to me on the way to whatever appointment is booked. Apart from anything I have learned so much history about my village and Northamptonshire!

As anyone who volunteers at anything already knows… it is a two way street – I feel useful and filling a need as well as making a difference. Medical appointments can be so stressful and to have a friendly person pick you up, wait for you and bring you home just helps! Never mind not having to worry about parking!!

DACT managed to continue with some of us driving through Covid (so long ago now) and those were strange times…. But again we helped.

If anyone reading this is thinking they might want to be a driver for DACT – then please contact the office as you will find the most amazing and lovely people. Ask them if you can speak to a driver for reassurance. Any time you can give is gratefully received.

Just give DACT a go!