Drivers are wanted to help people with mobility difficulties make essential journeys for medical appointments, shopping or meeting with friends.

Huntingdon Volunteer Office is appealing for people to join its Community Car Scheme.

It is interested to hear from anyone who can spare a few hours a week to be part of its service providing lifts.

New office organiser, Tripti Woolf, who has more than 20 years’ experience of the voluntary sector, said: “Sometimes you have vulnerable people who, for them, the car scheme is a lifeline.

“You don’t need to be housebound to use the scheme. Most clients are elderly but we will offer to drive to people who might not have access to public transport.

“We need more drivers and the more we have the more we can help. We have had to turn people away because we can’t get the drivers.”

Drivers are matched with clients who live closest to them to keep costs down. At present, the scheme is run from the St Neots volunteer office but it will return to Huntingdon in the new year.

Mrs Woolf, a former teacher at Huntingdonshire Regional College, added: “I am looking forward to working with an excellent team of volunteers based at the office and those who drive for the Community Car Scheme.”

Huntingdon’s volunteer office has reopened at the town’s Methodist Church after a three-month absence due to unforeseen building work.

Other services it offers include exploring volunteering opportunities and providing support for volunteers.

It also works with the national website do-it.org.uk which has a list of organisations and voluntary vacancies. Centre staff help make applications to organisations, generally online, and go through the process in the office. They continue to provide support by sending applications and following up with people to see whether they took up any voluntary work.

Anybody who is interested in volunteering can drop-in at the Methodist Church, Monday to Thursday 10am–12noon, call 01480 414766 or 07580 170597 or email huntingdon@huntsvc.org.uk for an appointment.

INFORMATION: For more details, visit www.huntsvc.org.uk.