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.”
“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.
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.
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.
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