Activity group driver and reserve driver training
Training 1: an introduction to your role
Re-engage activity groups are free for older people aged 75 and over and run once a month. The activity groups cater to different levels of ability and are run by Re-engage volunteers.
Older people are collected from their homes, by an activity group driver and taken to the activity group venue where they can take part in an activity that gets them moving in the company of other older people.
Each activity group is organised by an activity group coordinator, led and supported by activity group lead volunteers and the drivers. The number of older people taking part in an activity group can range from four to 15.
Your role as an activity group driver is to drive one or more older people to the monthly activity group, support them to enjoy their time within the group, and then drive them home again afterwards.
As a reserve driver you’ll only be asked to help when the activity group drivers are unavailable. This role is very flexible and ad hoc.
Important to remember
Activity groups are suitable for older people who:
- Can get in and out of a car with nothing more than a helping hand
- Climb a few steps with nothing more than a helping hand
- Manage their own personal needs such as using the toilet without help
Activity group volunteers must not lift or carry older people under any circumstances.
Getting started
Before you start volunteering at an activity group as a driver, you must complete a volunteer application form and have a call with a Re-engage member of staff who’ll check that the activity group driver role is right for you.
After your call, you’ll be asked to:
- Submit a reference and complete an ID check
- Complete Re-engage training
“I am so grateful to this service and all the many volunteers who make the groups possible”
Meeting the group coordinator
Once you’re ready to start volunteering, the activity group coordinator will be your main point of contact during your time as a Re-engage volunteer.
You may meet the activity group coordinator before you start volunteering, or you may simply have a telephone call with them. Either way, the activity group coordinator will be in touch to welcome you into the activity group and give you all the details for your first activity group. They’ll also give you the annual schedule for the activity group which will include the dates, times, and venues of every activity group in the coming year.
Please make sure you look at the dates and let the activity group coordinator know if there are any months when you won’t be able to volunteer so they’ll have plenty of time to make alternative arrangements.