One of the bigger burdens clients can carry is how they will get around when they confront difficulties using public transport, taxis or when community group transportation services are not be available.
Each day, our national squad of volunteer drivers' skills and experience assist us to be more efficient and effective in delivering services to clients.
They transport them to and from appointments or help them get to facilities and locations as needed.
While many use our service cars, there are frequent occasions when they use their own vehicles.
Some volunteer drivers -- such as Kent Smith, a retired university lecturer and marketing executive who has been a Vision Australia volunteer for the past 10 years - go the extra mile.
Kent can spend a whole day volunteering... but not just driving. In liaison with Enfield's Low Vision Clinic staff he will collect a client at an agreed time and bring them to the clinic.
Some are elderly. Some have multiple disabilities. Some are ill or have no family. Others are unemployed or have financial difficulties.
When the client is attending the clinic (which can take some time) Kent will volunteer in other capacities: such as helping with administrative duties in Enfield's warehouse, counting money collected in our Seeing Eye Dog collection boxes or assisting with administrative duties whenever he can.
At other times when driving, he will call in on clients in pre-arranged appointments and install tactile markers on household items to help them with their daily living requirements.
"I really enjoy all that I do here whatever it is. I have my regular clients that I drive but I also like to meet new ones and help out at Enfield when the opportunity arises," Kent said.
He was inspired to become a volunteer when he met a Vision Australia Occupational and Mobility Specialist in his social circles who enquired about what he was going to do after he retired the University of Technology, Sydney.
"I later met the then Co-ordinator of Volunteers at Enfield, Lyn Curtis, who assigned me as a driver after checking my credentials and driving skills," he said.
"Later, I was taught how to install tactile markings on client's appliances at home and got to know the various staff at Enfield and offered them my assistance."
We are all greatly appreciative of our drivers like Kent who not only have a kindly and helpful attitude but are also responsible. Punctuality and reliability are essential as much is safe and reliable driving.
We could never provide such a valuable transport service for our clients without the enthusiasm and dedication of volunteer drivers like Kent. We are extremely fortunate to have such caring volunteers. A hearty thank you to you all.
