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Liphook Community HELP ! - Penny Leigh (12th May 2014 - 12:56:57) Following on from my plea a few weeks ago for Volunteer drivers for the Liphook Day Centre, it has come to our attention that both The Over 60's club and Wednesday Luncheon club are also suffering difficulties in transporting our lovely local elderly clients to and from their meetings. Therefore together we are investigating the possibility of accessing/establishing a community minibus for the Liphook village that would assist our elderly community members to get out and about to these vital social links more readily. BUT, for this to work we would be in need of some volunteer drivers to help operate the service. Could you help one morning or afternoon a week, fortnight or month on a Tues/Wed/Thu to drive a 9 seater vehicle? If you are interested then please contact Penny or Karen at the Liphook Day Centre on 01428 724941. (Training and guidance could be offered in driving a larger vehicle should you be interested.)

Re: Liphook Community HELP ! - DML (12th May 2014 - 23:03:55) This surprises me - for some reason I thought there already was a bus. Liphook is so community minded I wonder why this hasn't happened before?

Re: Liphook Community HELP ! - Penny Leigh (13th May 2014 - 20:56:53) This was investigated some years ago, but unfortunately there was a lack of volunteers who were willing to drive a minibus. Hence each club co-ordinates their own limited pool of drivers in their own cars to pick up and drop home their members who otherwise would not be able to leave their homes. In this task we are all struggling to meet the demand !! Hence we are investigating the possibility again, but the whole scheme is dependant upon volunteers coming forward to help drive the bus. If you could help once a month that would be a huge help !!!! It really doesn't matter how much or how little time you can spare !!! Please contact us if you are interested Thanks Penny

Re: Liphook Community HELP ! - Paid to work (14th May 2014 - 07:01:53) Could you not pay for a driver rather than try and rely on volunteers? That way there will always be someone to drive the bus.

Re: Liphook Community HELP ! - Paul Robinson (14th May 2014 - 12:40:05) I recall the debate when the possibility of organising a village bus for use by several groups to transport aged and infirm members of the community. The proposal was to lease a vehicle but the problem of securely storing the vehicle, tax, insurance and not least of which finding a qualified driver with the necessary credentials (CRB, PSV licence) Surely the answer is to contact a company like AMK or the Midhurst Community Bus group and ask them to quote for the work. Paul Robinson

Re: Liphook Community HELP ! - Rob (14th May 2014 - 17:38:32) No there was no problem with leasing, storing or insurance Age Concern were happy to cover all this and still are. but the lack of drivers was/is the problem.

Re: Liphook Community HELP ! - Penny (14th May 2014 - 21:33:43) All 3 organisations are co-ordinated by volunteer committees, and are non grant funded, therefore exist totally on private fundraising and by charging a minimal attendance fee to each client. Each organisation operates on minimal funds with very little in reserve. If we were to pay drivers or use a company such as AMK we would have to significantly increase the fees charged to those that benefit from our services, which in turn would prevent many of our members who are very much in need of the support these groups offer from attending. Many of our elderly clients live alone, do not have family members who live locally and exist on minimal incomes. These local groups offer companionship, a good quality meal and warmth in the winter months. All of which incur large annual running costs. By adding staff employment legislation requirements, payroll expenses, insurances etc the monies required would almost be untenable. We are not looking for one driver to drive everyday, but a pool of drivers who would be willing to give up 1 or 2 hrs a week / fortnight / month. The more people who volunteer, the less the workload and the greater the impact on improving the lives of the valuable elderly members of our community.

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