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News: General
Hardwick & Caldecote Doctors’ run
Monday, 17 November 2008
The Hardwick and Caldecote Doctors' Run offers transport to and from the local Doctors surgeries at Bourn and Comberton, Addenbrooke's, Papworth and Hinchinbrook Hospitals. It also helps with other medical/dental appointments and social visits such as hospital visiting. We have a long list of people who regularly use the service and as people age and stop driving (sometimes quite unexpectedly), or as people move into the villages and are unable to drive for various reasons, the list grows longer!
Our drivers are all volunteers. Again some have to stop driving for various reasons and some simply move away from the area. For this reason we are always grateful to new volunteers - and at this point in time really do need some more people to help with the driving. The majority of the runs requested are for the local surgeries and volunteers can always state what they are willing to do - or not! - and to say no when helping with a request is too difficult or simply inconvenient. Thus obviously we need plenty of volunteers in order not to let people down.
While driving for the doctors' run volunteers are covered for insurance purposes by the County Council. Petrol costs are reimbursed by the clients directly to the driver at the scheme-agreed rates together with a top up by the County Council. We do also try to have an occasional coffee get-together where we can exchange experiences and improve the service as far as we can. So far everyone taking part has found it most enjoyable and rewarding and both clients and drivers realise only too well how valuable the service is as it takes people door to door.
This time we not only urgently need help from more people willing to drive, but also with the bookkeeping. This could be done by anyone who does not drive but has the time and enthusiasm and ideally is computer literate!! It is possible this time the task could be shared by two people.
The last person who has been doing this has done so for many years and quite rightly feels like a break! It is not a daunting task but just requires a little time and patience. Again if you feel you could help we would be most grateful as this side also has to run correctly to keep the scheme operating properly.
Finally a note to clients! Most of you are very kind in giving all the contact people plenty of notice. Occasionally there are emergencies and we still do our best to help though it is often very difficult. Do use us but ring the contacts as far as possible in advance please! Ideally a clear 48 hours is the minimum notice needed.
We do thank you for reading this and sincerely hope some of you will come forward to help. Without willing volunteers the scheme cannot exist and an awful lot of particularly older people will find life very difficult.
If you would like to know more/can offer help please telephone Sheila Stephenson on 01954 210638 or Hazel Swindells on 01954 212998.
We look forward very much to hearing from you.
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