Eastern Get About
Some people, due to their personal circumstances, can’t easily get out and about to attend medical appointments or go shopping. If they can’t drive or use public transport, then they often spend a lot of time at home.
That’s why Eastern Get About is being established: to assist people be mobile and independent in their local community and have an enjoyable and active life.
Eastern Get About (EGA) plans to be fully operational by mid 2016 and will offer door-to-door supported community transport for people who need assistance in travelling. Eastern Get About will take people with a disability to meetings; a Carer and their dependent to a health appointment; an older person to the shops; or a social group for a weekend outing.
EGA will operate in the Knox, Maroondah, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges areas. Anyone who is transport disadvantaged and needs support when travelling is welcome to apply, this includes youth and the elderly, people with a mental health illness and carers. EGA Services are provided on a fee-paying basis to recover operating costs, with Volunteer staff assisting to keep services cost-effective.
How can you drive a change in community transport?
EGA is now seeking people to volunteer either as drivers or trip companions. We’re looking for people who are keen to help, have a friendly professional approach and the ability to empathise and support passengers. You will need:
- to be physically fit
- a full car drivers license
- the confidence to drive a variety of vehicles including a 12 seater minibus.
EGA will provide on the job training and extensive accredited training. This volunteer role would especially suit anyone who is seeking to develop experience in the community sector and can be linked to formal study.
EGA is being established with funding assistance from The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation. EGA Service Trials are commencing soon; with plans to be fully operational by mid 2016.
I'm interested, who do I contact?
To find out more about Eastern Get About or the volunteer positions, please contact Ms Kylie Suich, EGA Project Coordinator at 0498 843 175 or email info@easterngetabout.org.au.
But wait! There is a survey too
EGA have extended their online survey seeking community input into service development. They are looking in particular for representation from Youth, culturally and linguistically diverse and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
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