Voluntary car schemes provide vital transport for people who have no other means of getting about. Volunteers are recruited, they drive their own cars, to provide lifts for people wanting to get to healthcare appointments, go shopping, meet friends and attend social gatherings. A volunteer coordinator is required to ensure the smooth running of the scheme.

It is proposed that a voluntary car scheme should be established, provisionally called Getabout Northumberland. The initial work has been undertaken by a Steering Group that includes Age Concern Northumberland, Help The Aged, Transport in North Northumberland, Wansbeck Council of Voluntary Service, and WRVS. The project is just one of number of initiatives being undertaken by the Rural & Community Transport Development Project team.

This Seminar will describe the function and operation of the proposed scheme, and includes good practice examples from elsewhere. There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions, talk to the Steering Group Members, and make your contribution to the development of this exciting new transport service that will be of particular interest to people living and working in the more rural parts of the county.