This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a small friendly volunteer team that support socially isolated older people and their carers. We run a varied programme of activities. The main tasks are: • Collect members from their home and drive them to the café, and return them home afterwards • Attend regular support and supervision meetings with your Project Worker • Take part in mandatory induction training, and other relevant LinkLiving training • Maintain confidentiality regarding members' personal information • Operate within LinkLiving’s volunteer policies and any other relevant guidelines and legislation • Submit relevant expenses and receipts on a monthly basis You should be able to work as part of a team , be friendly and approachable

Our tea party drivers are a vital part of the Re-engage team. Tea parties provide a lifeline of friendship for our older people, and the regular, warm, friendly chats and companionship provide a vital link with the outside world from which they have become isolated. Drivers take older people to the parties and stay with them to enjoy the get-together. Over time, drivers and older guests get to know each other well and together you will spend many hours full of fun, laughter, and stories. As a tea party driver, you liaise with your group coordinator and take older guests to and from the tea parties each month. Staying at the tea party is part of your role, so it’s much more than being a driver. You will need to have a full, clean, driving license, and a PVG. You will also need to check that you are covered by your regular motor insurance policy to do this role. Tasks include: • Driving one to two older guests using your own car to a tea party venue and returning them home again after the event . • Staying at the tea party to help with conversation and serve refreshments. • Liaising with the group coordinator to confirm which older guests you will pick up. • Informing the group coordinator of any safeguarding concerns or issues you might have. • Following all guidance in your driver training modules to ensure that the tea parties are enjoyable, appropriate, and in line with our charitable aims. This is a flexible, voluntary role that can easily be fitted in around your own lifestyle and availability. Experience required: No experience necessary however we are looking for drivers with the following skills and attributes: • Organised • Good conversational skills • Considerate driving ability • Ability to navigate to new addresses • A friendly, and empathetic approach • Patience and understanding of supporting older people • Basic computer literacy (including the ability to use emails)

Volunteers will have the satisfaction of enabling a diverse range of community groups and also Tweeddale residents with a disability to access social and recreational activities, attend meetings and appointments etc. Volunteers can benefit themselves from the outings and may choose to get further involved with groups for whom they drive. Drivers also benefit from MIDAS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme) training which is recognised throughout the UK as the standard course for volunteer drivers involved in community transport.

Volunteer Driver / Community Driver required to drive our vehicles and also help local groups who use our transport and require drivers.