Driver and Volunteer Programme at Thames Community Centre Wins Award
Drivers- Julie, Ignacio and Andre
Mentors – Rob, Pete, Margaretta, Greg and Colleen
Board members – Theresa, Beryl and Colleen
Staff – Jeff and Cath
The Thames Community Centre has plenty to celebrate; they have won the most Outstanding Community Driver Education programme award at the recently held Driving Change national conference. The network is a national driver education organisation with over 500 members including private sector, government and community groups. The award recognized the service the centre was providing and the centre’s recognition that getting a driver’s license is a public good as much as it is a personal responsibility. The judges were swayed by the programmes philosophy of paying back through volunteering. The centre fundraises to pay for all stages of the licenses, including learner courses, mentored practice for practical tests, lessons and defensive driving courses. Those receiving this support give back to the community through volunteer work, which the centre arranges.
Jeff Whitfield the centre manager said “it was very affirming to win the award and says a lot about the team of people involved. The driver-volunteer’s commitment to both gaining the qualification and giving back makes for a very robust programme. We are especially fortunate to have the support of Valley Toyota for our practice vehicle and for the wonderful work our volunteer mentors do as they take the students through their practices to the test.”
The judges were impressed the centre helped with all stages of getting a license from learners to full. “We offer 2 day learner courses at the local high school and at the centre for those who have left school. One of our volunteers has developed a data tool that allows us to keep an eye on participants progress so when the time is right we have our restricted license holders attend a Defensive driving course before sitting their full.”
The centre is also pleased to welcome Cath Herbert to the team at the Centre. Cath is employed to coordinate the programme and will be at the centre Wednesday Thursday and Fridays, the number there is 027 868 9797 and Cath can also be contacted at tccdrivermentor@gmail.com
The profile spoke to Cath about her new role and she is looking forward to hosting the next learner course at Thames High School in August and a Community based course at the centre in October. “Another focus for me will be to grow the mentored driving practice for those looking to pass their restricted. We can’t do this without mentors so anyone with a full license who likes driving, has a couple of hours spare a week this is way to help others. Our mentors, some of whom made their living from driving want to pass on their skills. Others enjoy the connection and the interesting people they get to meet.” Cath is more than happy to talk anyone about becoming a mentor, so please get in touch if you have a couple of hours spare a week.
Jeff Whitfield “It’s exciting to have Cath on board. The Drive and Volunteer programme has been steadily expanding over the last few years and will be great to have additional hours being spent on increasing that growth.”
The centre’s Board is also keen to see the centre broadening its collaboration with other organisations and to offer other Community Education options to the people of Thames. The Centre is working with the Thames Menz Shed to provide rodent and mustelid trap building workshops, Thames Budget Service to share essential tools and strategies on how to get more from your dollar and Mindful Path Thames to explore how healthy emotional and mental wellbeing can help us get through the complexities of life.
If you are interested in any of the above please get in touch with Jeff on 027 868 9797 or tcrc@xtra.co.nz