Plus Bus is run by the Dunedin Community Transport Trust and provides a "door-to-door service'' to help the elderly and people who struggle using public transport to get groceries home from the supermarket. Clients are picked up from their home in a van that can seat up to nine passengers. The volunteer helper assists the client to carry groceries back to their house.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays the bus visits Countdown Andersons Bay, Countdown Mornington, and Pak'n Save. The cost for the service depends on where the client lives in Dunedin and ranges between $10 - $14. The service can be booked as a regular service or as a "one-off''.
As a PlusBus Assistant you will be:
- Assisting elderly and mobility impaired clients to board/exist the PlusBus
- Working alongside the PlusBus driver (you will always be working with another)
- Helping clients access/exit the supermarket and helping with instore shopping if necessary
(When all clients have completed their shopping they return them home)
- Assisting clients to carry their groceries into their house
- Accepting clients' payment, and giving change (cash payments only)
- Occasionally assistants can be required to shop for a client if they are unable to use the van
(Each run starts from the Caversham office - pickups are close to the office)
- Helping some clients to access/exit the van
Training Provided:
- Initial orientation training is provided, support can be offered on an as needed basis
- Each trip has a driver, so there is always someone else on hand to assist and support
- Ability to shadow an existing volunteer for a few days if necessary
Benefits to Volunteers:
- You can feel good in knowing that you are helping vulnerable adults to participate in the community and to access basic living essentials
- You will be provided with a branded PlusBus vest
Requirements
- Empathy and understanding towards mostly elderly clients
- Physically able to assist and shop for others when necessary
- Basic cash handling and numeracy skills required
- Able to get in/out of the front of the van and carry bags of supermarket shopping to/from the bus
- Be friendly and outgoing, able to make each trip a pleasurable experience for clients
- Casual/tidy dress (wear the branded vest)
- All volunteers will be interviewed
- Police vetting will be undertaken
- Referees are required and will be contacted by phone by the Coordinator
A Police background check is required for this role.
Time commitment
- Tuesdays or Thursdays - up to 3 hours weekly, fortnightly or monthly
- There is no minimum volunteering commitment required
(most of their volunteers have been with them for years)
- Some volunteers work once a fortnight and are rostered
(Others do the same run each week and are willing to fill in when there is a gap on the roster)
Getting started
The first step is to express your interest by filling out the form below.
We will then put you in touch directly with the organisation for more information on the role and how to proceed.
Apply for this role:
Dunedin