The Donington Voluntary Car Service

The Donington Voluntary Car Service (VCS) was set up in 1982 primarily to provide subsidised transport for residents of Donington to attend medical appointments and families to see loved ones in hospital or care homes. Without which, they would not have otherwise been able to attend, due to lack of transport or the need for assistance. This Service is also available, without subsidies, to neighbouring communities.

Prior to the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020 the Donington Voluntary Car Services had continually seen an increase, year on year, in the number of journeys, distances travelled and individuals using it’s services due to a number of factors:

• A significant reduction in the level of public transport services
• A significant increase in the number of Donington residents
• A steadily increasing trend for residents to be referred to less localised treatment centres.
• An ageing population
• Lack of NHS transport and increased taxi service costs.

The Donington Voluntary Car Service journeys for Donington residents had been subsidised in the main by a precept from Donington Parish Council, assisted latterly by District Councillors, budgets permitting. These have become more restrictive so we have turned to donations and grants, all of which have enabled us to continue, for which we are grateful for all areas of support. However, non-Donington residents are not subsidised and therefore pay the full rate, but we are here to help, if we are able, to our surrounding communities.

Currently our Volunteer drivers receive 45 pence per mile of which the client pays 35p per mile and 10p per mile is subsidised by the Donington Voluntary Care Services. No charge is made for waiting time, which in some cases, can be considerable but the resident pays for any parking charges should these be incurred. Non-Donington residents pay the full rate of 45p per mile and any parking charges incurred.

Most administration costs, which are minimal, the on-call mobile and PPE requirements, have been primarily met by donations and grants.

In the last non-interrupted 12 month period by COVID-19, 1^st October 2018 to 31^st September 2019 there were a total of 492 trips covering 8,700 miles of which 40 trips covering over 700 miles were to non-Donington residents. We have helped over 80 individual residents in the past 12 months and we are fortunate and humbled to have been available to help.

Even during these difficult times, with COVID-19, The Donington Voluntary Car Scheme has remained operational. Should you need to attend medical appointments or see loved ones in hospital or care homes and due to lack of transport, inability to drive or need assistance then please call us on the mobile number below and we will try our very best to help.

Donington Voluntary Car Scheme Mobile Number 07598 924308

We have a small team of drivers and are always looking for others to join us. For more information please call Alan Inns on the number above.