CUMBRIANS interested in helping their communities get out and about are being encouraged to mark Volunteers’ Week (June 1-12) by coming forward and teaming up with Cumbria County Council’s Community Transport service.

New faces are needed to join its voluntary social car and community minibus schemes, providing transport for people who cannot make journeys by public or private transport.

Community Transport has a team of more than 300 volunteers who have made thousands of journeys getting people out and about. There are around 50 voluntary social car schemes operating throughout Cumbria, as well as a number of community transport schemes providing journeys for people who need to do the weekly shop, see the doctor, or just for visit friends.

We are always on the look-out for more people able to give up some of their spare time to be volunteer drivers or scheme co-ordinators. All expenses are reimbursed.

Cllr Keith Little, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member for transport, said: “Our volunteers do a fantastic job and play a vital role getting people out and about, we couldn’t provide a service without their valued efforts. We’re always looking for more volunteers to support our community transport schemes, so if you have some time to spare we’d love to hear from you.”

Anyone interested in finding out more should contact Katy Wood, Voluntary Transport Officer, tel 07788 396194, or visit cumbria.gov.uk/communitytransport As well as learning new skills and providing a lifeline for people without access to transport, signing up as a volunteer is a good way to meet new people and give something back to the community.