Scarborough's Dial a Ride service is appealing for two new volunteer trustees to help guide the charity following a record year of providing over 23,000 trips to older and disabled residents.
Scarborough Dial a Ride is searching for two new volunteer trustees to help guide the charity's overall direction and ensure it continues to meet its legal obligations.
If you live or work in Scarborough, you will probably have seen the charity's minibuses dropping off and picking up passengers all around the town.
The charity has been supporting older and disabled local people for more than forty years and relies heavily on the dedication of volunteers.
While the majority of its drivers and passenger assistants are unpaid volunteers who fulfil the vital task of keeping the service on the road on a daily basis, the board of trustees is also entirely volunteer-led.
Over the last year alone, the service completed more than 23,000 trips, representing an increase of over eleven per cent compared to the previous year.
The Dial a Ride manager, Steve Marsh, explained why the vacancies have arisen.
"Over the past few years, three Trustees have had to leave us due to ill-health or a change of circumstances, and we are now looking for two people who believe in the importance of the service we offer, to become new Trustees."
The charity is particularly interested in finding individuals with experience in business, charity work, local government, the health service, or community transport.
Colin Woodhead, the Chair of Trustees at Scarborough Dial a Ride, outlined the type of person they are looking for.
"Previous experience of being a Trustee is not important – we are more interested in people who have enthusiasm for what we do, an ability to exercise good, independent judgement, and a willingness to embrace the existing relaxed, supportive and collaborative culture.
We need people who have business, charity, local government, health service or community transport experience, and we are particularly keen to have someone with finance experience."
The organisation understands that taking on a board-level position can seem intimidating to some people who have never held such a role before.
Steve Marsh reassured potential applicants about the level of support available to the board.
"Being a Trustee at Dial a Ride is a rewarding role and would suit people with or without previous Trustee experience. We know that it can sound daunting and scary to people who have not been a Trustee before, but our well-established systems and processes, and the expertise of paid Managers mean that Trustees are well-supported in their responsibilities and are not expected to get involved in the day-to-day operations."
The trustees are responsible for making sure the charity is well-run, rather than handling the daily drop-offs and pick-ups.
Colin Woodhead shared his own perspective on being part of the board.
"I find it so rewarding being a Trustee of Dial a Ride – we are providing such a vital service to local people who may otherwise struggle to lead an independent life. If you have experience in business, charity, local government, health service or community transport, I would strongly urge you to get in touch to find out more about joining us as a Trustee."
Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming a volunteer at the charity, either as a trustee, a driver, or a passenger assistant, is encouraged to get in touch.
Potential volunteers can call Steve Marsh on (01723) 354434 between 8.30am and 5pm, from Monday to Friday, for an informal chat.
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