A volunteer car scheme - which helps people in Cambuslang and Rutherglen access health services - is looking for your help.
The CamGlen NHS Volunteer Car Sharing Project provides a free door-to-door service for people with NHS appointments who do not have a car and find it difficult to use public transport.
Funded by NHS Lanarkshire’s Cambuslang and Rutherglen locality and run by the local Council for Voluntary Services (CREATE) – the scheme is a big hit with the people who use it and with the volunteer drivers.
Jean Gillan, Whitlawburn, Cambuslang, has been using the service for several years to travel to various doctor and hospital appointments.
The 71-year-old said: “It’s a great service and the drivers are always very pleasant.
“They pick me up at my door, take me to my appointment and drive me home again. It’s nice to see a friendly face to take you to your appointment and to have a nice chat on the way.
“I don’t know what I’d do without them.”
Volunteer driver Robert Wray, from Rutherglen, drove Jean to and from an appointment at Hairmyres Hospital.
He said: “I believe that everybody should give something back to their community but at the same time this is something I enjoy doing.
“It makes you feel good to know you are helping someone.
“I would encourage anyone with a bit of spare time to consider becoming a volunteer driver as you get as much out of it as the people you are helping.”
While the project, which is for people living in the G73 and G72 postcode areas, is proving to be a great success, more drivers are needed to meet demand.
Ken Nicholson, is a CREATE volunteer and one of the founders of the car sharing group.
He said: “The people we’re helping include those who are isolated, disabled and elderly, and especially those who may not have family members with cars and struggle to use access public transport.
“The more volunteer drivers we have the more people we can help so I would encourage anyone interested to contact us.”
Jean Feenie, herself a CREATE volunteer, added: “We would welcome any drivers of any age who can commit some time each week – as many or as few hours as they want, as long as they are committed.
“I schedule the trips and usually book drivers at least a week in advance.
“If you have some free time and access to a car you can make a big difference to the lives of local people in your community.”
People who use the service are referred to CREATE by NHS staff and the drivers, who receive milage expenses, can take them to various appointments including GP, hospital or dentist.
To find out more contact Jean Feenie at CREATE on 0141 641 8884.