Central Otago REAP “Just good people helping out more good people.” - Paddy Ford

Central Otago REAP’s Drive My Life Mentors are volunteers who help learners practice driving until they are confident and competent to sit the driving test.

Clients face a whole host of barriers such as distance, anxiety, finance, learning difficulties and lack of an appropriate vehicle. Many have no parent, grandparent or family member to assist their driving instruction. They live in rural areas where access to instruction is difficult.

The program and volunteers help reduce these barriers and develop the ability to drive legally and confidently, as well as providing clients with a verified form of identification, and more importantly independence and improved self-confidence. For many families it’s a huge benefit to have a fully qualified driver within their whanau, an essential for anyone living in rural areas with no public transport.

When asked why their volunteer team is so special, Programme coordinator Paddy Ford says, “They support each other, acknowledge successes, and develop positive relationships with their clients. They are people who have the time, inclination, goodwill and expertise to help their fellow community members who face varied barriers. Sometimes it is just good people helping out more good people.”

The impact of this team is seen in the success stories shared by clients. One individual was lacking confidence and had anxiety issues when she started. An added challenge is that her father often has to go to Dunedin for healthcare, meaning someone else in the family had to take a day off work, as well as the added expense of travel and accommodation. Now after 50 lessons, she reports, “This is so good- I can now drive my father to his medical appointments" A mum who only had a learners licence and was limited as a parent volunteer now says “ I’m so excited! -I can now help with school sports and cultural transport”

The program’s positive reputation is even more evident when a local policeman chose to make a referral rather than fine an offender, and said it was “So rewarding to see (the client) driving around town legally following Drive My Live Intervention. Makes my job so much easier.”

Written by Paddy Ford, CO REAP Drive My Life Programme

Keen to get involved? Check out CO REAP's volunteer opportunities here