A COMMUNITY service is looking for volunteer drivers and co-ordinators to help it take off.

Ellesmere Community Cars is a scheme that will provide transport for essential journeys where public transport is either unsuitable or not available, and the passenger does not have access to a vehicle, or if a passenger might not be feeling well enough to drive. 

The scheme is being organised by Anne Wignall - who is a town councillor and mayor - but is leading this in a personal capacity.

She said the service could provide a variety of trips including to the GP, hospital, dentist or optician, or for shopping, visiting the bank, or to see sick or elderly friends or family.

Passengers will be asked to contribute 30p per mile towards the cost of the journey, and the scheme is supported by Shropshire Council.

Mrs Wignall said: "The Ellesmere Community Cars Scheme provides a great opportunity for volunteers to make a valuable contribution to the community.

“If you are a car driver with time to spare, and you enjoy meeting and helping people, we would love to hear from you.

“We also need one or more co-ordinators to help get people where they need to go.

“Co-ordinators can work from home responding to journey requests and arranging the transport with available drivers."

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Volunteer drivers use their own vehicles and the council reimburses at a set mileage rate for each journey.

As with co-ordinators, drivers are reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses – passengers will pay any parking costs.

The scheme will be based in Ellesmere and will also serve the surrounding villages. 

Mrs Wignall continued: "As soon as we have volunteers in place, we will publicise contact details for Ellesmere Community Cars and members of the public will be encouraged to book journeys with us."

To express an interest in volunteering and to find out more, please contact Mrs Wignall at alwignall@gmail.com or on 01691 626525.