"I felt I was not doing enough, and it was about time to give back. I went from zero volunteering to three roles since May last year"

This week, we’re celebrating the volunteers who help keep our community moving. Community transport isn’t just about getting from one place to another — it’s about independence, reliability, and the kindness of people willing to give their time to help others. Meet Rob , one of our dedicated Volunteer Drivers. He shares why he got involved, the moments that make the role meaningful, and why community transport is so important for those who might otherwise struggle to get out and about. What inspired you to become a Volunteer Driver, and what keeps you motivated to give your time? I realised from my own family experiences how much older clients would appreciate a personalised, friendly transport service that they could fully rely on. Community Transport provides this. The office staff are really organised and are great at communicating with drivers and clients alike. The online system provided for drivers to book their future availability is easy to use and flexible, and the job allocation process is straightforward. Being able to plan ahead and choose exactly when you are available to take a booking is really convenient for me. Hearing from clients directly about how much they all value the service provided is a great motivator for me to help further whenever I can. I like driving and can always seem to fit the jobs in around my other activities. Can you share a memorable moment or story from your journeys that shows the impact community transport has on people’s lives? Many of the clients have difficulties with mobility, so a door-to-door service with a driver who can be patient and assist where needed is clearly appreciated. Taking the stress out of getting to and from an appointment is one benefit for the client and having a good chat on the journey is another. Why do you think Community Transport is so important, especially for those who might otherwise struggle to get out and about? In the current climate there are no transport services provided by the hospitals or social service depts themselves, so this charity transport service is critically important to users for whom public transport may be impractical and private taxis very expensive. 🌟 Rob’s story highlights how volunteer drivers make a real difference every day — providing independence, friendly conversation, and peace of mind to those who rely on the service. 👉 If you’d like to find your perfect driver role in Hertfordshire, explore opportunities here: https://www.govolherts.org.uk/volunteer/all/opportunities?search_radius=8&q=driver

As part of Community Transport Week, we’re sharing the voices of our amazing volunteer drivers — people who give their time, energy, and kindness to help others get where they need to go. Here, we meet Denise , who shares what first inspired her to volunteer, the special friendships she has built, and the many ways volunteering has brought meaning to her own life. What first inspired you to start volunteering and what keeps you motivated to continue? I was inspired by a phone call to enquire if I would consider driving for Community Cars. I gave it very little thought as I had no idea what was involved but thought, hey why not, let's give it a go? So I did! I thoroughly enjoy meeting people from all different walks of life and over the years have developed a nice friendship with a few. Can you share a moment or experience in your role that has felt especially rewarding or meaningful? I take many people from all different walks of life. There is one lady with MS that I take to a centre in Wendover on a weekly basis. Through her I have met a very nice gentleman who has become my special friend. He is at the Centre as his son also has MS and the lovely thing is that his son and the lady I take are starting on a budding friendship. Who knows where that will lead. Not time to buy a hat for either of us though! What is the best part of your volunteering role and why does it stand out to you? The best part is difficult to say there are so many different “best parts” for me personally it means that whilst I'm out taking people to and from hospital appointments, I'm not spending money. It also gives me a wonderful reason to get up every morning. How has volunteering changed you or made a difference in your life? Volunteering has made me more aware of other people and their difficulties. I try to do whatever I can to help them sometimes it might just be a friendly word other times just an ear to listen. I have noticed that my biggest difference is that I am learning to listen and think before I speak. 🌟 Denise’s story is a reminder that volunteering is about more than driving — it’s about friendship, connection, and finding purpose in helping others. 👉 If you’d like to discover your perfect driver role in Hertfordshire, take a look here: https://www.govolherts.org.uk/volunteer/all/opportunities?search_radius=8&q=driver

Community Transport Week: 13–17 October This week we’re celebrating the volunteers who keep our community moving. Community transport isn’t just about getting from place to place — it’s about connection, support, and making a real difference in people’s lives. We spoke to Lauren , one of our dedicated Volunteer Drivers, about what inspired her to get involved and why she believes this service is such a lifeline. What inspired you to become a Volunteer Driver, and what keeps you motivated to give your time? I’d been searching for a while to find something to volunteer for - I had some spare time and wanted to do something helpful with it. But nothing really stood out until I read about the community transport service and thought “I can do that! I enjoy driving and it sounds like a great way to give something back to the community” I’m so glad I took the plunge and volunteered. The team are amazingly supportive and look after their volunteers really well. It’s just a pleasure to drive people to and from their destinations, knowing that you’re helping, even if it’s in a small way. I really enjoy the social aspect of meeting such a variety of people - you never know what you’re going to end up talking about and every trip is different! Can you share a memorable moment or story from your journeys that shows the impact community transport has on people’s lives? I recently took a gentleman on a 60 mile round trip for some medical treatment. Using patient transport wasn’t an option for him because of his condition and using a private hire car would have cost him 4 times as much as community transport and that wasn’t an affordable option. Without access to the community transport service, he wouldn’t have been able to receive his treatment and was incredibly relieved when he discovered its existence. I also recently took a lady to a medical appointment, and she said that she was a bit worried over what she was going to be told. I could see she was getting nervous as we arrived and I offered to wait with her so she had some company. She was very happy to accept, and we had a chat whilst we waited, just to help her with any anxiety. Everything turned out fine and she mentioned how nice it was not to have to wait and worry on her own. Sometimes just providing a bit of unexpected company can have an impact. Why do you think community transport is so important, especially for those who might otherwise struggle to get out and about? It’s a volunteer service, so there’s no rush to get to the next journey. We’re on hand to help people get to and from the car and their actual appointment if needed. With the team in the office, specific requirements can be discussed in advance so the volunteer driver is aware of any assistance that might be required for a more personalised, door to door service. Stories like Lauren’s remind us that community transport is about so much more than just a journey — it’s about independence, kindness, and human connection. Volunteer drivers make a real difference every day, whether by helping someone reach essential treatment, or simply offering a friendly face along the way. If Lauren’s story has inspired you, why not see if there’s a role for you too? 👉 Find your perfect driver opportunity in Hertfordshire here: https://www.govolherts.org.uk/volunteer/all/opportunities?search_radius=8&q=driver