Castlegar and District Community Services Society is looking at ways to better co-ordinate volunteer driver services in the West Kootenay Boundary Region.
The society’s study, which was made possible by a $19,250 provincial grant received in December, focuses on medical transportation between cities.
CDCSS executive director Reidun Rosi said right now there are multiple volunteer driver services throughout the region.
“Nothing is co-ordinated and everyone is kind of doing their own thing,” said Rosi. “This project aims to look at operations at all the volunteer driver service programs in the region and talk about the value of the service, what it brings to the community and how we can share resources and work together.”
Rosi says there are likely synergies that can be found. For example, a Castlegar resident may be requesting a ride to the Trail hospital, while a Trail resident may be requesting a ride home from a Castlegar appointment. One driver could potentially help both people.
Rosi says they will also explore the idea of well being and what that looks like for an individual. This could include things like stopping for groceries.
“That’s not medical, but bringing someone to a store, helping them lift items and delivering them home with groceries — that is something that can be looked at as preventative and an overall wellness item,” said Rosi.
A consultant will be hired to help collect information from service providers, stakeholders and clients. There will also likely be online surveys.
The study should wrap up in the fall.
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