Volunteer drivers sought for community minibuses in Goole

Tuesday, 11 March 2025

Volunteers are being sought to drive community minibuses in the East Riding to help local residents get out and about, including the Goole GoFar service.

People with some time to spare are needed to help older people, those with disabilities and residents living in rural, isolated areas travel to essential appointments, go shopping and go for days out.

Anyone interested in getting behind the wheel is invited to a taster session being held on Saturday 22 March at the Goole GoFar Depot, 51 Carlisle Street, Goole, where people can find out more about becoming a volunteer and give minibus driving a go.

Goole GoFar is one of three community transport groups in the area – alongside Beverley Community Lift (BCL) and Holderness Area Rural Transport (HART) – which all run important services for East Riding of Yorkshire Council including the popular medibus, which helps people get to hospital appointments.

People living in areas not served by regular bus services or who don’t have access to a car rely on the door-to-door community minibuses.

Councillor Paul West, the council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “I encourage anyone interested in becoming a minibus driver for Goole GoFar to go along to the taster day, find out what it’s about and give it a go.

“These three community transport groups provide an incredibly important service to East Riding residents and they rely on volunteers to spare their time.”

Christine Dales, business manager for Goole GoFar, said: “The work we do wouldn’t be possible without our team of volunteer drivers who all go above and beyond to make sure the passengers get to where they need to be and back home again safely.

“Whether that’s getting to a hospital appointment, out to do their supermarket shopping or just a social day out. 

“The GoFar team aims to make a real difference to the lives of people who use our services.”

David Bradley, a volunteer driver for Goole  GoFar, said: “I enjoy meeting passengers and taking them on the medibus service to their appointments, picking up shoppers for their regular trips and occasionally taking groups on outings.

“Driving for GoFar also has the added benefit for me in that I’m now getting to know the streets of Goole and Howden quite well as I find my way to passengers' homes.”

Carol Gaylor, from Howden, a regular passenger with Goole GoFar said: “Thank you for everything Goole GoFar has done for me this year, especially for getting to my hospital appointments. How I would get to them without their help, I don’t know.

“The drivers are all so friendly, efficient, and also caring, especially to those of us who aren’t too mobile.

"They all work so hard to keep us all safe and it’s very much appreciated.”

For information and to sign up for the taster session contact the Goole GoFar office on 01405 780344, from Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 1.30pm, or email Christine at christine@goolegofar.org.uk

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