Photo supplied.
Jill Stocker provides invaluable transportation services.
Jill Stocker is a dedicated and valued volunteer driver for Community Care’s Transportation program. She became a volunteer driver as soon as she retired and has been driving clients for over five years. When asked why she signed up for this particular work, Jill said, “People volunteer for various reasons. Being a volunteer driver provides not only a social connection to others and to a very active Community Care volunteer community, but it also can bring a sense of making a contribution and doing something worthwhile and necessary. And the stories! Everyone has such interesting life experiences. It is a privilege to help and be included (in the lives of others), and to have someone share some of their family joys and trials, especially the accounts of what life has brought to them.”
The transportation services provided by Community Care through volunteer drivers such as Jill are critical. As Jill explains, “An increasing number of seniors are unable to get to their doctors’, hospital, and other medical appointments—not to mention banking and shopping. If we are to embrace ‘ageing at home’ as an effective and healthy direction, then the services provided by Community Care volunteer drivers are critical. In Canada, we are indeed fortunate to have a social safety net that involves health care and some income/pension supports, however, the government assistance does not, so far, extend at the local and individual level to provide one-on-one services such as transportation to critical appointments. This is a particular concern in rural areas where we have no public transportation; volunteer groups therefore are essential to cover these gaps. Few people know that we also, on occasion, drive folks to Toronto to necessary medical appointments.”
Karen Morton, the coordinator for the Millbrook office, is extremely grateful for having dedicated volunteer drivers provide transportation services for the community. “Amazing volunteer drivers like Jill are literally life savers to many of our clients. We live in a “car-centric” world—especially in our rural communities; however, we don’t have access to public transportation. Getting to appointments for many seniors or adults with disabilities is very challenging. In Millbrook, we have also lost our local bank. This means that many of our clients need to go into Peterborough or other centers to access banking services. Our volunteer drivers like Jill make sure that people can get to critical appointments, especially important medical appointments to out-of-town specialists and clinics.”
This essential service could not be provided without people like Jill, and the need for drivers is always increasing as the community ages. Community Care is always looking for additional volunteer drivers willing to help others in their community. As Jill noted, being a volunteer driver is an enriching and interesting experience. As well volunteers are reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses (e.g. mileage, gas), although not paid for their time.
The Community Care Transportation service is available to seniors and adults with physical challenges. Drives must be pre-arranged through the Community Care office. Clients must be able to get in and out of a vehicle on their own. Volunteers may provide minimal assistance, but are not able to provide personal care or excessive physical support. Attendants or escorts may accompany clients who require this level of assistance. Only medical appointment transportation is available outside of regular business hours and/or to locations outside of Peterborough County borders. For more information on transportation services and fees, or about opportunities for volunteering as a driver, please contact Millbrook’s Community Care coordinator, Karen Morton at 705-932-2011 or email her at millofc@commcareptbo.org.
The Millbrook Community Care office is located at 22 King Street East, Millbrook and is open 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.