Speyside Community Car Sharing Scheme
Enabling isolated people to live independent lives
News & Views
New Membership Documents Available
We have been busy redeveloping our membership brochure and form, both of which are now available to download by clicking on our 'Membership' link above. If you feel that you need any further information, please don't hesitate to get in touch by phone (01340 831748) or email (admin@speysideccss.co.uk).
The Spirit of our Volunteers
We recently asked our volunteers for some of their thoughts on The Scheme. Some of their answers really do capture what we do and why we do it…:
Why did you volunteer for The Scheme?
• I have the time and give back a wee bit to the community I live in.
• To help the community that we live in.
• To help people less able than myself.
• Thought about it for a few years. A member of The Scheme explained what happened... How better to spend some free time!
Why do you continue to support The Scheme?
• I relied on the public to support my business during my working life. It is an opportunity to give something back.
• I have spare time and enjoy driving. I am able to use these to transport folk with no cars especially from rural areas.
• Like meeting and helping those who cannot get about so easily and who are unable to drive or have difficulty walking.
• I would like to think that The Scheme will be around to support myself when I need help.
What do you think The Scheme means to its members?
• It is a lifeline to get about.
• It’s a vital system as the public services cannot meet all needs
.
• Helpful to folk who don’t have their own transport, especially in rural areas.
• Members are always so grateful for our help; they like to share their news with us and get to know the drivers.
Thank you to all of our volunteers, without whom we couldn't support so many people to live a more independent life.
Volunteering Opportunities
We continually offer the opportunity for people to volunteer with us and whilst drivers need to be based within the Speyside & Glenlivet Ward, or very close, telephonists can be based anywhere (our phone line will be diverted to your phone). if either of these positions appeal to you please contact us for more information by emailing volunteers@speysideccss.co.uk or by calling 01340 831748 between 9am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays.
Telephonists are the first point of contact for our members and they arrange each journey with one of our team of drivers. To become a volunteer telephonist all you need is a regular day of the week that you are at home and a working telephone that we can forward the calls to (mobile or landline, it doesn't matter). Or if you don't want to commit to a regular day we are always grateful to have relief telephonists to cover holidays and sickness so if you are free to fill in every now and again then we'd love to hear from you.
To become a volunteer driver all you need is to have some spare time and own your own vehicle. You will be required to become a PVG Scheme member, however as we are a qualifying organisation there is absolutely no cost involved and we will assist you with the forms for this. We don't ask for any regular commitment from our drivers and you can give as much or as little of your time as you can spare. Some of our drivers prefer the local runs within their own town/village and others are happy to do the longer runs to Elgin, Inverness or Aberdeen but again it's your choice. Drivers for particular journeys are chosen based on how close their home is to the member to ensure maximum efficiency and are paid for all the miles they cover on each journey at a rate set by HMRC (so there are no Income Tax liabilities).
Volunteers' Gathering
Our annual gathering of our committee members, volunteer drivers, telephonists and supporters saw 42 people gather at the Craigellachie Hall
on 6th November for a soup and sweet lunch. Our Committee Chairperson, Irene Shaw, welcomed everyone, thanked them for their invaluable contribution to The Scheme over the last 12 months, and updated them on the future developments of The Scheme. Some of our committee members and volunteers were unable to attend, and their company was missed, but their support for The Scheme was also recognised.
An Online Future for the Speyside Community Car Sharing Scheme
The Scheme is excited to announce the launch of its new website and Facebook pages.
The aim of our online presence is to raise awareness of who we are, what we do and how we can enable more people to live a slightly more independent life. If you would like to find out more about the scheme, please email admin@speysideccss.co.uk; or if you would like to find out about our volunteering opportunities, please email volunteers@speysideccss.co.uk.
Administration email: admin@speysideccss.co.uk
Volunteers email: volunteers@speysideccss.co.uk
Telephone: 01340 831748
Correspondence Address: 2 Beils Brae, Urquhart, IV30 8XQ
