Driving for the Community

For the past two years, Vicky Mousoulis and Howard Butler-Nixon have supported local residents to remain healthy and connected by volunteering as drivers for Council’s Home Support Program.

The City of Burnside Home Support Program offers community and personal transport services, providing local residents with convenient, affordable and safe transport.

Howard drives the bus at least once a week taking people to Burnside Village and Norwood to do their shopping. “I enjoy making people happy,” Howard says. “For some people this is the only shopping they do for a week or a fortnight.” Howard works with another volunteer, helping clients on and off the bus and often carrying their groceries to the door.

Vicky does two shifts a week driving the car, taking clients to appointments. “I like meeting people in this age group and hearing their stories and being of help to them,” she says.

Community Transport Officer Jenny McIntyre says Council is looking for more volunteer drivers to assist the Home Support Program. “These services allow residents to keep connected and engaged with their local community and provide a reliable form of transport to get to and from scheduled appointments. However, without sufficient volunteer drivers the service is difficult to maintain.”

Jenny says drivers do not need a special licence to operate community vehicles. Volunteers guide clients safely in and out of vehicles and also assist them to carry small grocery bags. “The car service takes people to appointments such as medical, health care or personal grooming,” Jenny says. “You must be over 65 years old and be registered with My Aged Care to make use of the service.”

Jenny says the volunteers are invaluable not only for their driving services but as social connections and supports for the clients. “They chat regularly with clients and take a keen interest in their health and wellbeing,” she says. “Volunteers may refer clients to Home Support staff so that they may be linked into other appropriate support services.”

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Council on 8366 4200. Council provides appropriate training in first aid, manual handling and emergency procedures. All volunteers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

“We need a steady supply of volunteer drivers,” Jenny says. “These services offer people the chance to be independent, have choices and not rely on friends or family to help them.”

Howard and Vicky with the community bus