What does it involve?
The duty officer answers telephone calls that are made to the Send Help phone line which is open from 10am to 12pm, Monday to Friday.  Most calls will be from clients requesting transport to the Villages Medical Centre or for an appointment at a local hospital.  The duty officer logs each call, and a summary is sent to all drivers to find a volunteer who can provide the transport that meets the client request. Send Help uses technology that allows the duty officer to perform the role from their own home.  Client requests and driver assignment are logged via a computer browser; the duty officer will need their own Windows PC or Apple iPad to do this.

How often would I need to volunteer?
Some duty officers are happy to volunteer 3 times a month, while others have other commitments that restrict them to 1 or 2 duties a month.  Having a good number of volunteers allows Send Help to operate smoothly during holiday periods.  Duty offices can select the days they are available through an online calendar.

‍ ‍How often would I need to drive?
It all depends upon your free time. If you see a job or are contacted by the Duty Officer about one then you can decide if you are able to do it. If not, don’t worry, there will be another time and there is no pressure to take any job.

‍ Will I be paid to drive?
This is a volunteer role but you can claim your expenses (currently paid at 45p a mile) from your house to the job and back home. These are paid three times a year.

How do I get involved?
Phone the Send Help number or email: sendhelpgns@gmail.com and we will arrange a visit to explain what is involved. Then if you would like to become a volunteer we will arrange for a DBS check to be done before you are added to our list of volunteers.

How much will it cost if I ask for help?
Send Help is primarily funded through voluntary donations that are collected when the client receives the service they requested.  The recommended donation is £2 for all services local to Send village, e.g. car transport to the Villages Medical Centre, or prescription collection and delivery.  The recommended donation for transporting a client to a hospital appointment is based on the distance travelled, e.g. the recommended minimum donation for transport to Royal Surrey County Hospital is currently £7.

Do I have to pay in cash?
Although many clients still make their donations in cash, Send Help can accommodate clients that wish to make their donations by cheque or direct bank transfer.  A monthly trip summary can be provided to clients that wish to use these donation methods.

Are volunteer drivers vetted?
All new volunteer drivers are initially assessed by a member of the Send Help committee to determine their suitability for this role.  A DBS check must then be completed before the driver is allocated to any client requests.