Description
Volunteer Drivers with Boness Car 4U will be asked to take people registered with any Bo'ness Medical Practice who have been diagnosed with cancer from their homes to places of treatment, then home again, using their own vehicles. The service the volunteers provide is much needed giving patients the dignity, respect and convenience that they deserve at a difficult time in their lives and is greatly appreciated by them.
We know that helping in this way gives volunteers a lot of role satisfaction and below we've noted more information about what the role looks like in practice, and what the expectations are so interested people can make sure it's the right role for them:
We pay our drivers 40 pence per mile for fuel used and this had no effect on any benefits the driver may be in receipt of. Insurance premiums should be unaffected but we advise drivers to notify their insurers to let then know they intend to use the car for voluntary work.
Each volunteer driver will be asked to undergo a process of safeguarding training and (in order to comply with the Protection of Vulnerable Groups scheme) following this they will be PVG checked/gain a PVG certificate for their voluntary role with BC4U (this is cost free to the volunteer).
Drivers are issued with a clear plastic cough screen which is fitted to the vehicle headrests which provides a physical sneeze guard between the front and rear seats of the car, and are also issued with a holdall containing PPE. Drivers are notified of the name, address and phone number of the patient and the time date and location of the place of treatment. The driver phones the patient the night before the drive, confirming the time they will be picked up and due to the pandemic will ask the patient if they are displaying any of the recognised symptoms of COVID-19. At the pick up they will confirm this information and take a temperature reading of the patient using a contactless infrared forehead thermometer. The patient will travel in the back seat of the car, diagonally opposite the driver and must wear a face covering if it is safe for them to do so. On arrival at the place of treatment the driver ensures the patient has their mobile phone number to tell them when they are finished and ready to be picked up. If the course of treatment is lengthy, it may be arranged that one driver takes the patient to hospital and another conveys them home.
BC4U hopes to launch service in 2022, we are keen to build a bank of volunteers in advance of launching our services.
Availability
Mon |
Tue |
Wed |
Thu |
Fri |
Sat |
Sun |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Afternoon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Evening |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restrictions
Experience required: Volunteers must be a licensed car driver, with their own roadworthy car that has is adequately insured and maintained. Volunteers should have an empathic attitude towards others.
Travel details: All drives will start in the Bo'ness area, and currently places of cancer treatment are Western General Edinburgh, Forth Valley Hospital Larbert, Glasgow Royal, and The Lanarkshire Beatson (Monklands) (with other destinations occasionally, according to need).
Support
Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: 40 pence per mile.
Taster available: Yes
Taster details: Interested volunteers are welcome to accompany another driver initially.
Training details: Drivers will be asked to undergo a process of safeguarding training following which registration for a PVG certificate specific to this work will be arranged by BC4U which is cost free to the volunteer.
Support:
Named Contact For Volunteer,
Wheelchair Access/Disabled Access Toilet