A Day in the Life of a Volunteer Community Driver

John has been volunteering as a community driver with Hay and District Dial-A-Ride for twelve months.

He says: “I moved to Powys from Yorkshire with my wife five years ago to run a local B&B.

“Volunteering is a great way to get involved with the community and get to know people.

“The role is really flexible and fits in around my other commitments.”

John starts his shift by picking up the schedule for the day at the Hay and District Dial-A-Ride office in Castle Street.

Hay and District Dial-A-Ride provides an accessible community transport service for anyone who does not have access to a car or to public transport - young or old - who lives within a nine-mile radius of Hay-on-Wye.

All volunteer community drivers undertake driver training sessions.

John says: “I also completed a full-day first aid training course and an eye-opening half-day training session to become an Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friend.”

Dementia Friends help raise awareness and understanding, so that people living with dementia can continue to live in the way they want.

Volunteer community drivers can also complete special handling training to support wheelchair users to access the service.

John says: “When I collect the minibus I run through a series of safety checks to make sure it is safe for passengers.

“I’m supplied with a mobile phone so the office can stay in touch and let me know if we have any cancellations or last minute pick-ups.”

First stop is Hay Medical Centre to collect a prescription.

If a member is unable to make the journey themselves, on Tuesdays and Fridays drivers can collect prescriptions from Hay or Talgarth Medical Centres, or a nominated local pharmacy, for home delivery.

Next John heads to a local village to pick-up the first customers of the day.

As he helps passengers onto the minibus with their belongings, they chat and joke.

John says: “One of the most rewarding parts of the role is getting to know regular customers.

“A lot of them have lived in and around Hay-on-Wye all their lives and have a wealth of knowledge about local history.

“I learn something new on every shift.”

A lot of service users have recently given up driving for various reasons. Others live in town but experience health issues meaning they are unable to walk far.

John says: “Without community transport they’d have no way to get out and about and remain independent, especially if their children have moved out of the area.”

We drop our passengers off at the local supermarket to do their weekly shop and go on to our next pick-up.

John says: “By the time I get back to the supermarket, they should be ready to go home.”

You can book community transport for any need – shopping, medical appointments, library, visiting friends or hospital visiting. Formal and informal carers travel for free with Hay & District Dial-A-Ride. 

They also offer free travel every Tuesday for shoppers funded by the Lindenleaf Trust. On the first Friday of the month the bank bus goes to Brecon so members can visit the bank, access facilities and meet friends.

All the passengers that morning agree community transport is brilliant.

Without the service they wouldn’t be able to maintain community connections or an independent lifestyle.

Loneliness and social isolation can impact all aspects of a person's life and has been linked to poor physical and mental health.

With all customers safely dropped off back at their homes and all prescriptions delivered, John returns his paperwork for the day back to the office.

He says: “I genuinely enjoy the role and recommend volunteering as a community driver.”

If you are interested in volunteering with Hay & District Dial-A-Ride, please contact the office by telephone on 01497 821616 or by email at haydialaride@gmail.com

If you are interested in volunteering as a community driver in another part of Powys, contact PAVO Powys Volunteer Centre to learn about opportunities in your area: https://www.pavo.org.uk/about-pavo/contact-us.html

Find out more about Powys Volunteer Centre here.

Hay & District Dial-A-Ride see themselves as more than just a transport service as access to health and community services is a vital part of physical and mental health and wellbeing.

The service is for members only.

Individual membership is £10 per annum and then you pay for each journey you book. Fares start at £2 within Hay.

Community Group Membership is free for local non-profit groups and hire charges start at £25 including a volunteer driver.

Members experiencing financial difficulties can apply to the Hay & District Dial-A-Ride hardship fund to cover membership costs and fares.

Funding

Hay & District Dial-A-Ride is supported by government bodies, charities and businesses, and self generated income including membership subscriptions, fares and local fundraising

They are also supported by the local community and parish councils, and a number of private charitable organisations and trusts.

Wellbeing support for health and social care sector staff, including Third Sector Organisations and volunteers

Sam Powell is Joint Workforce Experience and Wellbeing Manager working out of the Health, Care & Social Care Academy in Bronllys.

The Health, Care & Social Care Academy is part of a Wales-wide initiative to increase local access to education, training and development across the health and social care sector, specifically focusing on the workforce in Powys.

The Academy aims to support the health and social care sector to be among the top choices for people entering or returning to the jobs market in Powys.

Sam took up his post in March 2023. He supports the wellbeing and experience of health and social care sector staff across the Powys partnership, including Third Sector organisations and volunteers.

Sam says: “I contribute to the Joint Workforce Futures Strategic Framework by seeking to improve overall workforce engagement and wellbeing across the Partnership by collating, measuring, and analysing workforce experience data.

“This means we can share best practice across the partnership, helping staff and therefore improving the experience of service users.

“For example, in the summer of 2023, I conducted a Wellbeing Survey across the Partnership,  feeding the results back into the heads of organisations within the Regional Partnership to inform next steps and offering my own recommendations.

 

“In the coming months, I will be working in partnership with the various organisations - with the aim of continuing, creating and delivering wellbeing activities, benefits and resources for staff.”

Sam has also created the RPB Employee Experience Toolkit

“The Toolkit is designed to help individuals and teams explore what is on offer in terms of workplace experience and wellbeing,” he says.

“The kit includes a self-assessment tool for staff and teams at all levels to use to understand and improve their workplace experience. The aim is to prompt discussion about wellbeing, resources, and workplace culture.

“You can also contact me directly to request support using the Toolkit.”

Sam also supports cultural transformation and improved citizenship across the Partnership space.

He says: “I sit on various Wellbeing, Volunteering, Engagement, Community Spaces and Staff Voice groups. 

“And I offer a broad range of activities linked to the development of high-quality, high performing teams - alongside the provision of tailored support to teams identified as needing more dedicated assistance.”

Sam is keen to work with and support all partners, including Third Sector Organisations and volunteers. 

He says: “I am available to join team meetings – large or small - and help organise or run team events.  

“My experience in both teaching and coaching means I can create bespoke sessions.

“At a recent Development Day, I ran a session for PAVO staff where I passed on wellbeing tips and we practised mindfulness exercises together.

“Mindfulness means focusing on the present moment rather than worrying about the past or future, and can help manage stress.

“Playing with Lego can be a simple way to calm your mind and unwind.”

He continues: “I also provided ideas, contacts and in-person support at a wellbeing event for Powys County Council’s Children’s Services team, facilitating the sharing of expertise from across the partnership space.

“For example, staff shared their existing skills on the day, offering alternative therapies such as acupuncture and Reiki at the event.”

Sam leaves us with seven tips that can help improve your wellbeing at work:              

• Use the resources available in your workplace – Occupational Health, Staff Benefits, Wellbeing protocols and pledges

• Allow yourself time to focus on wellbeing -  take a break, go for a lunchtime walk, do a 1 Minute Guided Body Scan Meditation, and stay hydrated

• Invest in yourself – eat healthily, exercise, read up on wellbeing, and know your personal triggers 

• Look after your mental health with Wellbeing Apps like Finch, Headspace or Calm

• Take time to reflect on your achievements, for example, start a folder of emails containing positive feedback or write praise down on Sticky Notes

• Connect with work colleagues, friends, and family - go see them or simply pick up the phone

• Ask for help if you feel overwhelmed. You are not alone

To find out more about the support Sam can offer you and your teams, contact him via email at Sam.Powell@wales.nhs.uk. He is always available to give advice and provide contact details or resources.