Could You Be One of Our Volunteer Drivers? Here Is What a Great Fit Looks Like
We get this question a lot: "Do I have what it takes to be a volunteer driver?" There is no perfect resume for this role, and you do not need a background in caregiving or healthcare to do it well. What matters most is a handful of everyday qualities that many people in North Durham already have without realizing it.
Read through the profile below. If several of these sound like you, we would love to talk.
You might be a great fit if...
You have a few flexible mornings or afternoons each month, whether that is because you are retired, work part time, or have a schedule with some breathing room built in.
You hold a valid driver's license and have access to a reliable car, and you generally enjoy being on the road rather than dreading it.
You are a natural conversationalist, or at least a good listener, and you like getting to know people rather than just making small talk.
You have been through a major life transition yourself, such as retirement, an empty nest, or caring for an aging parent, and it left you with real empathy for what independence means to someone else.
You are already active in a church, civic group, or community organization, and volunteering feels less like an obligation and more like an extension of who you are.
You would rather commit to something small and consistent, like two mornings a month, than sign up for a big one time project.
You have ever thought, even briefly, "I have some time and I would like to use it for something that matters."
What the role actually looks like
Most volunteer drivers commit to just a few hours a month. You are matched with a rider who lives along a route you already know, and over time, many drivers end up serving the same one or two people again and again. The drive itself is usually short, often fifteen to twenty minutes each way, but it tends to become the best part of the appointment for both the driver and the rider.
You are not expected to provide medical care or make decisions on anyone's behalf. Your job is simple: show up, drive safely, and be a friendly, familiar face. Aging Forward Durham handles the scheduling and matches you with riders near your regular routes, so the commitment stays predictable.
You do not need to be an expert, just dependable
Some of our best volunteers were not sure they were "the type" before they started. They were simply people who kept their word, showed up on time, and treated their rider with patience and respect. If that sounds like you, the rest tends to follow naturally.
If you read through that list and found yourself nodding along, even once or twice, we would love to hear from you.
Reach out to Aging Forward Durham at agingforwarddurham@gmail.com or (919) 489-2217 to learn how to become a volunteer driver.