Worries raised over Dorset rural volunteer car schemes

Community transport schemes are relied on in areas with little or no public transport provision

Volunteer car schemes relied on by elderly and disabled people in rural locations are now at breaking point, a Dorset councillor has warned.

Shaftesbury councillor Derek Beer said volunteers were feeling "taken for granted" and were struggling to keep up with demand for their services.

He said they "do a great deal to help tackle social isolation".

Dorset Council said there would be an investigation into issues in the volunteer sector.

Mr Beer told Dorset Council's people and health scrutiny committee committee that at the weekend volunteer drivers from his Shaftesbury ward had taken 40 people on 16-mile trips to get their winter jabs.

He said without the service many of them might not have been able to get inoculated.

Most voluntary operators expect a financial contribution to cover the costs of volunteer drivers.

"These volunteer car schemes are not funded and they feel taken for granted, many are struggling now to meet demand," he said.

"I know of organisers who say they cannot cope anymore and are wanting to throw in the towel," he said - and called for a plan to ensure their survival.

Portfolio holder for people, health and social care, Jane Somper, said she was aware of the problems.

She said, at the moment, there was no specific plan in place to help the volunteer groups, although their work was likely to be reviewed as part of the council's forthcoming investigation into the county's voluntary sector.