Driver for tea party
Hosted by: Re-engage

Become a tea party driver!

Our tea party drivers are a vital part of the Re-engage team.

Tea parties provide a lifeline of friendship for our older people, and the regular, warm, friendly chats and companionship provide a vital link with the outside world from which they have become isolated. Drivers take older people to the parties and stay with them to enjoy the get-together. Over time, drivers and older guests get to know each other well and together you will spend many hours full of fun, laughter, and stories.

As a tea party driver, you liaise with your group coordinator and take older guests to and from the tea parties each month. Staying at the tea party is part of your role, so it’s much more than being a driver.

You will need to have a full, clean, driving license, and an ID check for this role. You will also need to check that you are covered by your regular motor insurance policy to do this role.

Days required: Sun PM

How many volunteers are needed:

4

Recruitment process:

Application, interview, training online, ID check

Skills and quaifications:

Tasks include:
• Driving one to two older guests using your own car to a tea party venue and returning them home again after the event .
• Staying at the tea party to help with conversation and serve refreshments.
• Liaising with the group coordinator to confirm which older guests you will pick up.
• Informing the group coordinator of any safeguarding concerns or issues you might have.
• Following all guidance in your driver training modules to ensure that the tea parties are enjoyable, appropriate, and in line with our charitable aims.

This is a flexible, voluntary role that can easily be fitted in around your own lifestyle and availability. As a tea party driver, you will be responsible for picking up one or two older guests from their homes usually on a Sunday afternoon once a month. You will drive them to either a host's home or a community venue for an afternoon get-together to socialise and enjoy some refreshments. The parties last around two hours after which you drive them home again.

Please note that you must be at least 18 years old to volunteer as a driver.
We are looking for volunteer drivers with the following skills and attributes:

• Organised
• Good conversational skills
• Considerate driving ability
• Ability to navigate to new addresses
• A friendly, and empathetic approach
• Patience and understanding of supporting older people
• Basic computer literacy (including the ability to use emails)

Suitable for specific groups: BME, LGBTQ+, Long term health condition, Older people, Unemployed
Gender restrictions?: No
Type of activity: Befriending and buddying, Driving