Social Car Scheme

Thirsk Social Car Scheme provides transport services for people who have special transport needs.  It aims to combat social exclusion and rural isolation by providing sustainable transport options for those who cannot use or do not have access to public transport or a car.  You do not have to be registered disabled or a wheelchair user.  For example, you might have difficulty climbing steps onto buses or be unable to walk to the bus stop.

The Little Red Bus and Thirsk Social Car Scheme have joined together to pilot this project.
We are committed to provide affordable, reliable and Safe transport to the Community of Thirsk

Thirsk Social Car Scheme covers the following area.

If you live within this area and need to go somewhere and public transport, ambulances or taxi’s are out of your reach for any reason then contact the Car Scheme to see if they can help. 

We offer a door to door service, picking people up from their homes and taking them to a variety of destinations including social visits, doctors appointments, hospital, the hair dressers, local shops.  Wherever you want to go Thirsk Social Car Scheme will try to get you there – and back again!

Since establishing the Car Scheme we have helped thousands of people to get to their destinations.
Click on image below for a short video about volunteer driving

Volunteer drivers and their cars are crucial to the success of the Car Scheme.  We ensure that our drivers have adequate insurance, training and that their cars are road worthy and safe to use.  Over a period of time drivers can build good relationships with the people they drive, providing a friendly, trusted and reliable service.

Unfortunately, due to our funding, we have to make a charge of 40p a mile for this service.  An invoice will be sent to you from our office in Harrogate after you have made a journey.  This charge covers the cost incurred by our volunteers for using their own cars, there is no charge for the volunteer’s time which they give freely.

Please note a charge of £5 is made if the transport is not cancelled 48 hrs before it is due to take place. If it is cancelled after the volunteer has left home, the full mileage cost  will be charged.

If you would like to find out more about using the scheme please contact Helen.
If you would like to book a journey please phone 01845 574707

Could you be a volunteer driver?
Without our volunteer drivers people with physical or learning disabilities could find themselves house-bound and be left without any means of independence.

Who needs our help?
We currently help hundreds of people, some require regular journeys and some need one off help.  Passengers range from the young to the elderly.
Referrals come from a number of sources including voluntary organisations, relatives, and social services.

How you can help.
Thirsk Social Car Scheme relies on volunteer drivers.  Without them many people would be unable to visit relatives, keep essential appointments, or maintain their leisure activities.

Length of journeys.
The majority of journeys undertaken are in and around Thirsk but transport is also needed for journeys to the larger towns and to holiday destinations such as Scarborough, Whitby and further afield.

How much time would you need to give?
That’s completely up to you.  You give as much or as little time as you are able, this could be time during the day, evenings or at weekends.  You might want to undertake a regular commitment or you might be available for one off requests.  Where possible journeys are allocated a week ahead but occasionally requests come in at short notice.  You are always free to say NO!  whatever you decide all help is needed and welcomed.

How much will it cost?
We don’t expect our volunteers to be out of pocket.  Volunteer drivers are able to claim 40p a mile for the journeys they undertake.

What do I need to be able to volunteer?
You need to have access to a car and to provide a current MOT certificate and a copy of your insurance.

What else?
You will be given a full induction into the scheme and all our policies and procedures as well as training to carry out your role as a volunteer driver.  Because we work with vulnerable people you will also have to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check.  If you have a conviction you may not be able to become a volunteer driver but there is bound to be some other volunteering activity you would be able to undertake.

If you are interested in volunteering for Thirsk Social Car Scheme please fill in the ‘I want to Volunteer’ form.

Contact Helen
Helen works on: Mondays -  2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and
Wenesdays 11 a.m.  to 1 p.m. other times by appointment only

If you are a volunteer and wish to speak with Helen, please phone her on 01845 523115

Email helen.senior@tscca.org.uk