We always have vacancies for people who can spare a few hours of their time each week or month in service of the community. Our volunteers are often surprised at the amount of satisfaction and fulfilment that the work gives them.
Available Roles:
If you would like to volunteer or would like more details of any of the roles, please contact our Chairman on 01903 905915 or at chairman@friendsofferring.org.
Driver
Requirements:
- Resident of Ferring
- Full Drivers Licence
- Car owner
- Comprehensive insurance*
Drivers collect the resident from their home, take them to their appointment and then return them home after the appointment. No first-aid skills are required, but a supportive arm to and from the car may sometimes be appreciated.
The duty telephonist who accepts the passenger request will telephone drivers to see who is available, usually with several days notice. Drivers can decide to accept or refuse a request for any reason.
While all volunteers give freely of their time, drivers are reimbursed for mileage at the current Government rate.
* Drivers must advise their insurance company that they are volunteering. The ABI (Association of British Insurers) recommendation to insurers is that volunteer driving should not affect premiums, however this is ultimately up to the insurer. There is a list here of insurers who have signed up to this commitment.
Telephonist
Requirements:
- Resident of Ferring
- Able to commit to one shift each fortnight between 9.30am – 11.30 am (though these can be swapped in case of holidays or necessary absences)
Telephonists take calls from residents requesting transport, liaise with drivers to fill the request, and keep a register of bookings. All work can be undertaken from home, full training is given, and the telephone is delivered to your home prior to each shift.
Many of our Telephonist volunteers find the social aspect of this role very enjoyable, especially our housebound volunteers.
Coordinator
The Coordinator’s role is to collect the telephone and the booking register from the current duty telephonist’s home after 11:30am when the line has closed for the day, and deliver them to the next day’s scheduled telephonist.
The Coordinator works a 5 day shift (Monday to Friday) once every 4 weeks. As all telephonists live in Ferring, this can be done on foot if preferred.