Back in November we published an article headed ‘Local Charity Seeks Volunteer Drivers’ about Supportive, formerly known as the Social Resource Centre who support the communities of County Durham with volunteer transport. Children and Adults of all ages are supported in getting to and from school, family contact, health appointments and in some areas social community events. As a direct result of this article, Supportive have increased the number of Newton Aycliffe volunteer drivers but as a community, Newton Aycliffe has and opportunity to go one step further. With the assistance of Newton News, Supportive would like to establish S.D.N.A – Supportive Drivers Newton Aycliffe.
We see S.D.N.A as more than just a group of volunteer drivers, more as people who can build awareness within the Newton Aycliffe area of the services that are on offer to people in need, helping each other in building and growing the group as ambassadors of our community. S.D.N.A will meet regularly to share experiences, ideas and opportunities to continue the good work. To join S.D.N.A is simple, you will need a full driver’s licence, two references and will be subject to a DBS check (free of charge). If you want to help people in our community, have some spare time on your hands now and again or on a more regular basis, wanting a new purpose in your life to make new friends, then SDNA needs you! All drivers receive training and support along with a mileage allowance of 40.55p a mile from the moment they leave their front door. Anyone interested can call Debbie at Supportive for an informal chat on 01740 658872 or come along to our open meeting to be arranged soon where Tracy Hutchinson, Support Manager and current Newton Aycliffe volunteer drivers will share their experiences of what it’s like to help people in need in our community.
