More drivers needed

A befriending scheme for the elderly is seeking more volunteer drivers.

Southwell Live At Home Scheme, which aims to help elderly people live in their own homes for as long as possible, is looking for drivers to take members to and from coffee mornings on Tuesdays.

The scheme has ten volunteer drivers but needs more.

Manager Mrs Elaine Thomas said: “We have got about 40 members and about 30 come each Tuesday. They are all in their late 80s or 90s and need transport.

“We have got a pool of ten drivers but we like to keep it turning over so we don’t have to call on the same people all the time.

“We are desperate for anyone who has got some free time on Tuesday mornings to help us.”

The coffee mornings take place at King’s Court or Our Lady Of Victories Parish Centre, Halam Road, between 10.30am and 11.45am.

Mrs Thomas said: “For a lot of our members this is their only outing since they don’t go out because of mobility problems.

“It is something they look forward to because it can be their only social event with other people all week, so it is very important.”

Mrs Thomas said the scheme was also looking for volunteers to visit the elderly in their homes.

She said: “We are looking for people who want to befriend an elderly person and are willing to go round to their homes and have a chat or a cup of tea or play cards, or maybe take them out for coffee or to go shopping for a couple of hours once a week or so.”

Anyone wanting to become a volunteer would be Criminal Records Bureau-checked and would need references.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer driver should contact the Live At Home scheme on 01636 816565.