Young Carers Club Driver

General: Hart and Rushmoor Young Carers is a project managed by Hart Voluntary Action - a local charity based in Fleet which supports the voluntary and community sector. We deliver a support service to anyone aged 7-25 years living in Hart and Rushmoor who cares, unpaid, for a family member who is ill, disabled, has a mental health condition or addiction.

We provide young carers clubs for School Years 3-6 (Junior Group), 7-10 (Senior Group) and Young Adult Carers (YAC) aged 15-25 years, as well as additional opportunities for members to attend trips and residentials, and respite activities during the school holidays.

We currently have around 155 young carers aged 7-20 attending our Young Carers Clubs who live in Aldershot, Blackwater, Church Crookham, Crondall, Farnborough, Fleet, Hartley Wintney, Hook and Yateley. A large number of them require transport to/from clubs as their families either do not own a car or their home situation makes it difficult for their parents to transport them.

The Role:

We are looking for volunteer drivers to help provide transport for our Junior, Senior and Young Adult Carers Clubs, which run out of Mayfield Community Centre in Farnborough during term time on the following nights: Tuesday (Junior Group), Wednesday (Senior Group) and every other Thursday (YAC Group).

Routes will be arranged so that drivers are transporting young carers living in the same area and pick-ups would be from around 4.30pm on Tuesday and 5.30pm on Wednesday & Thursday. Drivers are welcome to stay at club, or leave and return later to take the young carers home.

This could be a weekly or fortnightly commitment, but help may also be required for trips, residentials and respite activities during the school holidays.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Liaise with Hart and Rushmoor Young Carers staff to gather instructions for young carer(s) pick-ups/drop offs
• Responsible for young carer(s) accessing vehicle to/from home and venue
• Responsible for ensuring children under the age of 14 are wearing the appropriate restraints
• Provide friendly conversation with young carers(s) during journey
• Liaise with Hart and Rushmoor Young Carers staff to report any incidents. 

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Young Carers Activity Worker/Team Lead

LOCATION: Drivers will be based at home. The journeys will usually start within the drivers’ local community area. 

What skills do I need?

QUALITIES REQUIRED:

• Reliability
• Able to work as part of a team
• Trustworthiness
• Patience and calmness
• An understanding of the needs of passengers of differing ages, abilities and backgrounds
• An understanding of confidentiality and sensitivity to the needs and wishes of young carers and their families
• Good communication skills with a variety of people.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Enhanced DBS check (applied and paid for by HVA) and two references required
• Drivers must be 25+ years
• Drivers must provide transport in their own car
• Driver’s car must conform to all legalities and be roadworthy
• Booster seats will be provided for children under 12 years or less than 135cm tall
• Drivers must have up to date motor insurance for the vehicle. The minimum insurance required is Third Party that includes all passenger liability. Drivers must inform their insurance company that the vehicle will be used for voluntary purposes prior to commencing volunteering
• Drivers must have a valid driving license and notify the project of any penalty points
• Smoking is not permitted in the vehicle while transport is being provided
• Any incidents or accidents affecting passenger or volunteer safety whilst on duty must be reported to Hart and Rushmoor Young Carers staff
• Free parking available at venues
• Mileage expenses (and parking charges if travelling to other venues) are reimbursed at 45p per mile
• As a volunteer at Hart and Rushmoor Young Carers you will be asked to sign a Volunteer Agreement and familiarise yourself with relevant policies.