As holiday season rapidly approaches, the people at Family Service Kent (FSK) are hoping volunteers will come forward to help Give the Gift of a Lift.
Volunteer drivers are especially needed in the Wallaceburg and Ridgetown areas, FSK’s Marjorie Crew said.
“We need volunteers all over all the time,” she said. “But for Ridgetown and Wallaceburg, these are kind of the spots that are challenging right now. We have more clients there and we need more volunteers there.”
Volunteers use their own vehicles to take FSK clients to and from medical appointments and other needs, Crew said.
Marie Bergsma, who manages the transportation side of FSK’s operations, said the drivers are paid mileage at a rate of 47 cents per kilometre. It begins as soon as they get into their vehicles in front of their own homes.
Crew said FSK would like to have a base of 45 volunteers for their driving program. It has been down ever since the pandemic.
“We lost volunteers; people stayed at home. We haven’t fully recovered from that,” Crew said. “It’s a matter of getting people back and feeling comfortable and safe to be in cars to drive people to and from their medical appointments.”
Most FSK volunteer drivers are seniors and do it to keep busy, as well as for the social aspect.
“The rides have a positive impact on our clients, but there’s a positive impact on the drivers as well,” Crew said. “
Bergsma agreed.
“For the volunteers and the people they drive, it’s a social engagement. They get to sit and visit,” she said. “As well, it’s not just the driving, but there’s a bit of a check on people who might be isolated.”
In terms of isolation, Bergsma said social prescribing comes into play, where physicians are now urging people to spend more time in their social circles.
“In a nutshell, they are starting to recognize the impact on our physical health that social isolation has, especially for seniors,” she said. “So, on top of doing the medical appointments, we’re now also going to see an influx on social trips. It’s really good for our seniors.”
To volunteer, Crew said to reach out to her at 519-354-6221 ext. 241, or by email at mcrew@familyservicekent.com.
“They would need a police clearance for working with vulnerable people, then they can fill out an application, come in, do an interview, and, if everything checks out, we’re in business,” she said.
Volunteers also have a huge say in how busy they want to be.
“The volunteers pick their commitment,” Crew said, adding each week, the trip co-ordinators reach out to the volunteers to indicate what trips are needed when and where, and the volunteers and respond with what they want to take.
