Day centre minibus driver, Age UK Gateshead

This volunteer role involves assisting in the successful delivery of the Day Opportunities Provision.  As a driver you would be reporting for duty at House on the Hill Sunderland Road NE10 9LR at 8:30am. By all means you can leave the premises as long as you return for 2:15pm to drive to the client's home.

Volunteers will be driving Age UK Gateshead's accessible minibus in a responsible and competent manner, ensuring the safety and comfort of your passengers.

This role involves:

• using your own methods of transport to get to the designated location to collect the bus. Carrying out and recording daily checks/log of the vehicle using the driving record log book supplied and reporting any vehicle defects and faults immediately
• being aware of fuel levels and occasionally refuelling the vehicle (cost covered by Age UK Gateshead).
• working within Age UK Gateshead's Health and Safety guidelines
• with help from the passenger assistant it is essential that client safety is priority at all times during the journey and also when boarding and alighting the bus. The minibus driver and passenger assistant will need to ensure that portable steps are correctly positioned to prevent injury and ensure the correct usage of tail lifts and ramps. Client seat belts are to be secure and all handrails are in the correct position. 
• Ensuring the correct safety precautions with the passenger assistant whilst using and storing passengers wheelchairs. 
• being responsible for the safety and comfort of passengers by adhering to road safety i.e. traffic calmers and speeding restrictions 
• adhering to your own personal safety i.e. wearing a seatbelt and a high visibility jacket supplied by Age UK Gateshead.
• Ensuring the contents of the first aid boxes are correct and if not to report to a member of staff for replenishment. 
• reporting any form of accident to a member of staff immediately and completing all details in the first aid book provided. A staff member must always be notified upon any incidents or accidents affecting passenger safety whilst on duty. 
• Ensuring the vehicle is in a clean condition (inside and out) before and after use. 
• setting off to collect the day centre clients at 9:00am prompt and ready to commence the return journey at 3:00pm 
• ensuring all clients are returned to their address and are left safely in their home 
• informing Age UK Gateshead immediately of any changes n your health that affect your driving licence or ability to drive
• informing Age UK Gateshead immediately of any licence endorsements

Your role will also require you to:

• be self-motivated and sensitive to the needs and wishes of your passengers 
• to undertake necessary training 
• to participate fully in the running of the Day Centre or social activity i.e. chatting with the clients, assist in serving refreshments and lunches, and initiate activities such as board games, dominos, etc. 

The skills required for this role are:

• reliability, commitment and trust worthiness
• the ability to work on own and as a part of a team
• interested in developing activities for older people 
• a reasonable level of fitness
• good communication skills, including a sound understanding of bot written and spoken English 
• a liking for an empathy with older people 
• excellent time keeping skills
• knowledge for the local area
• an understanding of the need for confidentiality 
• a sense of humour 

Suggested hours: Time commitment can be between one or four days per week when our Day Opportunities operate.  The daily time commitment is approximately 8:30am - 5:00pm as arranged agreed with Age UK Gateshead. 

Location and weekdays to choose from:

• Monday - St Mary's Church Hall, Heworth, NE10 0UY
• Tuesday - Black Hall Mill Community Centre, NE17 7TQ
• Wednesday - St Mary's Church Hall, Heworth, NE10 0UY
• Thursday - St Mary's Church Hall, Heworth, NE10 0UY
• Thursday - Barmoore Hub, Ryton, NE40 3AG

Excursions (outings, pub lunches) will vary but notice will always be given 

Age UK Gateshead is insured only to keep our buses at specific locations and we do not allow staff or volunteers to take the vehicles to any other areas.  Our busses are to be used strictly for our day centre provision unless otherwise stated by a senior member of staff.