'People rely on our transport': Leeds club's desperate appeal for volunteer drivers
For more than half a century, a much-loved Leeds community centre has been a lifeline for people living with disabilities and life-limiting illness.
But today the Prince Philip Centre is calling on the city to help keep that support rolling after it launched an urgent appeal for volunteer drivers.
The north east Leeds centre desperately needs people to drive their minibuses so people from across the city can attend their PHAB club on Friday evenings.
Ann Hart MBE, honorary secretary of the Leeds PHAB Club said: “People really do rely on our transport.
“We don’t see them if we don’t bring them in.
“If we can’t provide the transport, they simply can’t come.”
At PHAB, members of the community with and without disabilities participate in social, educational and recreational activities, from arts and crafts to socialising with friends to listening to guest speakers.
It’s an atmosphere where according to Ann “difference doesn’t matter.”
She said: “It’s the most wonderful group of people.
“Over the years it’s changed but there’s still some who come who have been there from when the group first started.
“Then there’s youngsters who come from the sixth forms and schools too who are just as important too.”
PHAB currently has three minibuses which transport people from across Leeds to and from the Prince Philip Centre on Scott Hall Avenue.
However, as three of the club’s regular drivers are aged in their 70s and due to retire, the community centre is calling for a new generation to take the wheel.
To volunteer, an individual needs to be aged between 25 and 75, in good health, and possess a full clean driving license. They need to be available on some Friday evenings and occasional other days to take PHAB members on day trips.
PHAB Chairman Michael Ball, who has been a volunteer driver at PHAB since 2001, has said that the group needs new drivers now more than ever before.
He said: “We are desperately struggling for drivers.
“When I first joined the club, we had four mini buses and two drivers for each minibus - one did pick ups and the other took people home.
“Now I haven’t had a backup driver for ten years.
“One day, I would like to be a passenger but I don’t think that will happen.”
In his role as a volunteer driver, Michael sees PHAB as an “extended family” where club members become “not clients but friends.”
Anyone who signs up to be a volunteer driver, will be given training so they can transport passengers who need additional support. They’re also invited to come to PHAB on a Friday evening to meet PHAB members and hear what the role entails.
PHAB members meet every Friday at the Prince Philip Centre from 7-9pm.
If you’re interested in becoming a PHAB volunteer driver, or you’d like to learn more about the club, visit the PHAB website. http://www.phab-leeds.org.uk/