Become an activity group driver
As an activity group driver, you’ll collect older people from their homes, accompany them to the monthly activity group and drop them home again afterwards.
The activity group will be at the same community venue and will include older people, activity group leads, drivers, and the activity group coordinator. Activity groups normally last around two hours and will include an activity that gets people moving such as: dance, chair exercises, boules, skittles or boccia.
Activity groups are free monthly groups that are open to older people who are lonely, isolated and in need of companionship. Activity groups are a great way for older people to stay active and to make new friends in their local area.
To become an activity group driver, you’ll need to:
- Attend a 30-minute online volunteer group induction
- Submit a DBS check (England and Wales) or a PVG check (Scotland)
- Provide a reference
- Complete online volunteer training modules
Tasks include:
- Calling the older people to remind them about the activity group and to check that they’re still able to attend.
- Keeping in regular contact with the activity group coordinator so they know when you’re available to drive, and so you know which older people you’re driving.
- Planning your route so you can safely collect the older people and drive them to and from the activity group in good time.
- Collecting one or two older people, driving them to the activity group and dropping them home again afterwards.
- Staying at the activity group to help serve refreshments and to socialise with the older people and other volunteers.
- Following the guidance in the online volunteer training so that the activity groups are safe, enjoyable, appropriate and in line with our charitable aims.
- Reporting any concerns to the activity group coordinator.
- Keeping your knowledge and training up to date by reading our monthly volunteer newsletter – Re-engage Matters.
Could you be our next activity group volunteer?
This is a flexible voluntary role that can easily be fitted in around your own lifestyle and availability.
Activity groups are normally once a month, in the same community venue and usually last for two hours.
Activity group drivers will need:
- To be legally entitled to drive the vehicle that they’re using
- A full driving license
- A safe and road worthy vehicle with an up-to-date MOT
- Valid motor insurance - and to notify their insurance company that they’re a volunteer driver
- To be competent to drive
- To disclose any existing motoring offenses including speeding and driving without due care and attention to Re-engage
- To report any new motoring offenses including speeding and driving without due care and attention to Re-engage
- To ensure that all passengers are wearing seat belts and that their head rests are appropriately adjusted
- A four-door vehicle
Please note that you must be at least 18 years old to become a Re-engage volunteer.
To keep our services free for older people, we aren’t able to pay expenses for this role.
This is a fun, flexible and rewarding role which will enable you to connect with, and make a real and lasting difference to, the lives of older people who are experiencing social isolation or loneliness.
As a valued Re-engage volunteer you’ll receive training, support and regular updates and communication from the Re-engage team.
We’re looking for activity group drivers who have:
- Safe driving skills
- Good planning and organisational skills
- A friendly nature
- Good listening skills
- Good conversation skills
- Patience and understanding
- A passion for improving the lives of lonely and isolated older people
- Basic computer skills (our inductions, checks and training are all online and our charity is paperless)
If this sounds like you, then we’d love to hear from you. You can apply to be an activity group driver by completing our online application form.