Volunteer Drivers
VOLUNTEER drivers are urgently needed to help people in the Holderness area of East Yorkshire to access services such as hospitals, doctors surgeries, shops, Community Group trips and days out.
HART (Holderness Area Rural Transport) is appealing for volunteer drivers to help carry on and develop the transport services to enable people within the community, who due to rural isolation are unable to access these vital services. Community Group Drivers
HART also have well over 100 registered Community Groups that need volunteer drivers to drive the minibuses for them when going on trips. There is a huge variety of groups, and therefore trips to go on, catering for all tastes, ages and type of event. Some events are local, maybe to the theatre or a sporting event, and last just a couple of hours. Others are for the adventurous and can include an overnight stay in a far flung county. Be warned - fun might be involved.
Volunteers can decide how much time they want to devote. HART said even a few hours a week can make a difference and help provide a service which is a lifeline to many people who live in rural areas. Volunteers will also have an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends and be a part of the HART team. Free MiDAS and PATS Training Volunteers will be given training and an opportunity to develop existing skills or learn new ones. H.A.R.T Community Transport give full support and training and why not gain a nationally recognised driving qualification for FREE!!!. H.A.R.T. Driver MiDAS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme) training sessions take place on a regular basis. Places are very limited so please BOOK EARLY and reserve your spot. To qualify for FREE MiDAS driver training you must:
- Be over 26
- Hold a full drivers license with D1 entitlement
H.A.R.T. Community Transport have a fully qualified Passenger Assistant Training Scheme Trainer and run regular PAT training courses.
Interested? If you would like more information about the growing H.A.R.T. Volunteer driving community then please:
Telephone
01964 53 66 84
(H.A.R.T. Community Transport will train drivers of other organisations, please contact us for prices) |
|
Last Updated on Thursday, 29 September 2011 14:51 |
Spotlight on Les
 Our volunteers come from all walks of life, we thought you might be interested to hear a little bit about them. First up is Les Seddon, our longest serving volunteer.
Les Seddon has been with H.A.R.T. since 2005 when we took over the Holderness Hopper minibus. He came as part of the fixtures and fittings! Initially driving the minibuses, Les now drives for the volunteer car scheme, helps out in the office and fixes and mends around the yard. Les is always full of beans, with a tall tale to tel l, he certainly keeps our spirits high!
Les has had a professional driving career, with mostly trucks and coaches, but also a surprisingly large range of other vehicles too. “Anything that has wheels or tracks I’d have a go at”, says Les, who has always had a job all his working life, and sometimes 2 at a time!
Some of the jobs Les has held are: demonstrated fork lift trucks in Saudi Arabia, drove the welding machine on the Easington to Paull gas pipeline, the container tugs at Hull Docks, a mobile crane, library van, Social Services minibuses for Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire Councils, and he is a Rolls Royce trained chauffeur!
 If you ever took a coach holiday with Abby or Nippy Coaches to Spain or Italy, Les could have been your driver! An important skill Les picked up from the thousands of miles he travelled as a truck driver, is the ability to always find a place to have a cup of tea!
Les has many hobbies, building model boats, railways and a keen interest in model vintage steam boilers. He has a bird aviary, which he built himself as he is also a talented DIY man.
Les has given countless hours to H.A.R.T., we do appreciate all he does and he also makes a great cup of coffee!!!
Cheers Les.
|
|
Last Updated on Thursday, 29 September 2011 07:53 |
MiDAS For Drivers
 What is MiDAS?
MiDAS is the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme, organised by the Community Transport Association U.K. (CTA) which promotes a nationally recognised standard for the assessment and training of minibus drivers. It is a membership based scheme that has been designed to enhance minibus driving standards and promote the safer operation of minibuses.
Who is MiDAS aimed at?
MiDAS is applicable to any organisation operating or using minibuses. Member organisations range from small voluntary organisations operating one vehicle, to local authorities operating large fleets of minibuses as well as schools, colleges and universities.
How does MiDAS work?
MiDAS operates on a "cascade" approach. CTA has appointed a number of training agents, who provide training for minibus Driver Assessor/Trainers (DAT's) nominated from member organisations.
A DAT can then assess the competence of other minibus drivers, and provide them with training on how to safely use a minibus.
What do drivers get out of this?
Drivers who successfully complete the MiDAS assessment and training programme will receive a nationally recognised certificate valid for four years, as well as the option of obtaining the comprehensive "MiDAS Driver's Handbook".
What Is The MiDAS Training Process?1. Before an assessment of your driving ability takes place, you will be asked to: - complete and sign a Driver Registration form.
- produce your driving licence.
- undertake a simple eyesight check.
You may also be asked to provide two references. If you are an existing driver, some of these steps may have already been done. 2. The assessment, will normally last for about 1 hour and will include: - a demonstration drive by the Driver Assessor/Trainer so you can see the standard of driving which is required.
- the opportunity for you to drive the vehicle under supervision in order to receive on-road vehicle familiarisation.
- an assessment of your driving skills.
3. After a successful assessment, you will be given: - basic training by your Driver Assessor/Trainer in the skills and information you need when driving minibuses.
- additional training if you drive an accessible vehicle (one which can carry passengers who use wheelchairs).
4. At the end of this training you will be asked to undertake a theory assessment. 5. After your assessment and training and passing the theory assessment, you will receive: - a MiDAS certificate, which enables you to drive the minibuses of other MiDAS members without needing to be re-assessed
If you fail the assessment, we may provide you with additional training to bring your driving skills up to the MiDAS standard.
Further Requirements
Once you have completed the MiDAS Training you will still have to meet your organisation's insurance requirements and may need to receive familiarisation on the vehicles that they use. You will not be able to drive accessible vehicles belonging to other organisations unless you have received training in the skills associated with using such minibuses.
MiDAS Handbook MiDAS Driver's Handbook may also be purchased, in the form an A5 book, which contains useful information about minibus driving. Refresher MiDAS TrainingAfter four years you will be asked to attend a "refresher" training session This will involve a: - re-assessment of your driving ability
- classroom based training session
- further theory assessment
In certain circumstances, such as you being convicted of a driving offence or being involved in a road traffic accident, your organisation may ask you to have your driving skills re-assessed. It is up to your organisation to decide when this is appropriate. More InformationH.A.R.T. have a fully qualified DAT Trainer and run regular MiDAS training courses. H.A.R.T. are able to offer training to volunteers and other organisations wishing to train their own drivers. To find out more please contact H.A.R.T. on 01964 536684 or email H.A.R.T.. |
|
Last Updated on Thursday, 29 September 2011 08:05 |
|
|
Volunteers
