The Optio voluntary car service that has been run by Community Action Isle of Wight for over 20 years is facing the prospect of closure because of a shortage of volunteer drivers.
The Optio service is a membership service that provides transport for the elderly and frail and which operates with volunteer drivers using their own vehicles to take passengers to pre-booked destinations. These are often for medical appointments but can also include social engagements.
Historically the service has had a membership of around 450 and operated with the support of around 60 drivers, however, since the pandemic, many of its regular volunteers had to stop driving and did not return to the service.
Now, with volunteers being in such high demand across the Island for a wide range of organisations, recruiting enough drivers to meet the ongoing demand for the service is proving a challenge.
Tina Clark, the Optio service manager, from Community Action IW, has said:
“Hundreds of people across the Island rely on volunteer drivers to help them get out and about and do everyday things that most of us take for granted. A simple trip to the doctor’s surgery or an important appointment at the hospital can be complicated, if not impossible, for some people without the support of a volunteer driver. We rely on the generous support of our volunteer drivers to help us deliver this service but as numbers have diminished, we are finding it more and more challenging to keep running the service and fear this may be the last year we can provide this support.”
David Foulkes from Ryde, who has been a member since 2019 and who regularly uses the service said:
“Without this service I would really struggle to get to my appointments. Optio drivers are very obliging, always on time, reliable and friendly.”
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Community Action Isle of Wight is looking for around 15-20 more regular, volunteer drivers, even if they are only able to volunteer for a couple trips a week, to enable them to continue to operate the service. Drivers based in Ventnor, Ryde, Newport and Bembridge are needed in particular, but 1 or 2 are needed everywhere on the Island.
Chris Cates, the Optio Volunteer Co-ordinator for Cowes, and East Cowes area adds:
“The volunteer driver role is very flexible with some drivers just doing a couple of trips a week and others more, but by having a bigger pool of drivers, all the hard work can be shared out and the levels of trip requests met. Trips are done during working hours on weekdays. Our volunteer drivers tell us when they are available, and we match up the travel requests from members to the drivers available. Drivers collect passengers from their home, taking them to their appointment and returning them back home, with expenses reimbursed according to mileage.
If you feel that you can offer your services and would like further information, get in touch with Community Action Isle of Wight Optio service on 01983 522226.
well – there are perfectly good taxi services on the island, that will do door to door – oh no wait a minute, you would actually have to pay for use of a service, instead of freeloading.
You really are a peice of work, this is for elderly and struggling people, let’s start charging people for using Macmillan services near the end of their life too shall we!? Selfish, narcissistic, peice of work!!
Wow! What a horrible THING you are.
I use them as disabled and cant afford
Extortionate taxis nor can manage a bus.
You have no idea how hard it is just too get out as you take it for granted.its a lifeline service for me and all.
We all pay yearly membership and pay for all drivers petrol so its not free you fool.
Keep your negative comments too yourself …better still stay off here as your not welcome
Don’t rise to islander. We all know this tw*t only exists to wind people up and get noticed. Ignore him and he will go away.
oh i know yes lol hes a bell. e..
Obv has no life just his keyboard
How sad
Sadly this is going to happen more as people can’t retire until much later… What 70+ year olds are gonna be feeling fit enough to drive round…
My god,what sort of a human being makes immature comments like that,obviously you must be high-school age because a normal adult would never show them selves up. That’s f & u’s around