Community Transport Week: Celebrating Volunteer Drivers in North Herts & Stevenage

Community Transport Week (13th - 17th October) is an opportunity to celebrate the essential role that volunteer-led transport services play across the country. These services don’t just get people from A to B, they connect communities, reduce loneliness, and provide vital support to those who may otherwise struggle to access transport.

We spoke with Jon Brown, North Herts & Stevenage Community Transport Manager, to hear about the impact of volunteer drivers and the difference they make every day.

Why are volunteer drivers such a vital part of your service, and what difference do they make to the community?

“Without our incredible team of Volunteer Drivers, our service simply wouldn’t operate. The service is Volunteer led and that is what makes it that more special. Every day our Volunteer Drivers are making a real difference in the community, from providing safe and reliable transport to being a friendly and caring companion. Our service offers wonderful social benefits for both the service user and the Volunteer.”

What kinds of journeys do volunteer drivers typically help with, and what roles do they play in people’s everyday lives?

“Our Volunteer Drivers are taking local residents to important health and medical appointments. This could be to local hospitals, doctor surgeries, health centres, dentists and clinics. Many of our clients struggle to access reliable and affordable transport, and that offer the support and reassurance they need. We even take people to some of the big hospitals in London. We also support people by taking them to their weekly social club, day centre or support group. These can be a lifeline for many people and it can help to combat isolation and loneliness for many local people.”

What qualities do you look for in someone who wants to become a volunteer driver, and how do you support them once they join?

“We look for local people who are sociable, caring, friendly, patient, and who enjoy driving and supporting less able local residents. It’s a very flexible role and our Volunteers can offer the time they can give. We have a fantastic team who enjoy a friendly chat during the journeys. This provides a social connection and reassurance for many of our service users. Our service also provides a peace of mind for a lot of people using our service, which is so important during what can be a stressful and worrying time for a lot of people. We provide a full training induction to our Volunteers upon them joining our service, and the office team are their ongoing support whilst they are part of our volunteering team. We also provide training opportunities, covering relevant topics, such as Safeguarding, Dementia Awareness and Manual Handling.”

How would you describe the rewards of volunteering as a driver, both for the volunteers themselves and for the people they help?

“Being a Volunteer Driver is a wonderful opportunity to support local residents in your local community with their transport needs. There is a big demand for our service, and every day our team of Volunteers are making a real difference to people’s lives, providing safe and reliable transport, a listening ear and a friendly and reassuring chat. It’s a very rewarding and unique opportunity to help and use a service that looks to enhance the lives and wellbeing of people across North Herts & Stevenage.”

Community Transport Week is the perfect time to recognise the dedication of volunteer drivers like those in North Herts & Stevenage. Their contribution goes far beyond transport they provide reassurance, companionship, and a vital link to community life. If you’ve ever thought about giving your time, becoming a volunteer driver could be a rewarding way to make a tangible difference in your community, you can find all driver roles on our website here.