Volunteer snapshot: Kane
Published on 18 May 2022
To mark National Volunteer Week (May 16 to May 22), we caught up with some Northern Tasmanian volunteers to find out what drives them.
If you'd like to find out more about volunteering opportunities in your local area, visit the Volunteering Tasmania website at volunteeringtas.org.au or the Volunteering Australia website at www.volunteeringaustralia.org
Meet Kane, a volunteer with Wheels4Work Ravenswood, who generously made some time to answer our questions about his experiences as a volunteer...
What does your role involve?
As a Learner Driver Mentor I help people to get their supervised L-plate logbook hours. If a person wants to get their licence, but doesn’t have a licenced family member or friend to supervise their learner driver hours, or perhaps they don’t have a suitable registered car, they can apply to Wheels4Work to be matched with a mentor. None of the mentors are professional driving instructors, we simply supervise their driving and help them practice in the Wheels4Work car to help them get their P1 licence. This includes tackling the various logbook scenarios like practicing on all sorts of roads, in the wet and some night driving. Some mentors can only volunteer after work, so they do night driving supervision.
How did you get into volunteering?
My mum’s eyesight wasn’t great and while my brother took me for most of my hours, my car wasn’t suitable for the final test, so Wheels4 Work provided me with a mentor and a car to help me finish my final hours and do the P1 Test. Fast forward a few years and I actually have a job driving for my work. But the work is only part-time, so I wanted to do something useful with my spare time. As a 21-year-old I wondered if I was too young but driving for work had given me some great experience to be able to mentor. I was quickly buddied with an experienced mentor to learn the ropes, before I began supervising other people and working with them to devise a plan each week which would support them get their licence.
What do you get out of it?
There is an amazing sense of satisfaction when you see people grow in their confidence as they gain skills. At the beginning, the learner I’m mentoring may have only a few hours experience so I’m giving them lots of instruction, but when they are closer to doing the P’s test they are driving and thinking independently so it’s very rewarding to see their progress. The program has also made me a better person. I'm more patient, I’m a better communicator, I’m more confident and it's made me an even better driver too.
What’s a typical day look like when you’re volunteering?
Wheels4Work match me with a Learner, but both the mentor and Learner get to approve the match. So, I have regular timeslots booked with the same person each week at a time that suits us both. Mentors usually have the same learner each week so we know what information we have provided them. It also helps us to build communication and rapport, as well as better understanding the learner’s needs. So, I pick up the car and learner, we do our vehicle checks, then we put our driving plan into practice. Each week we plan the next session together. We are continually updating our game plan.
Tell us more about the organisation you volunteer with?
Wheels4work is a Launceston based not-for-profit organisation, supporting disadvantaged people to gain the driving experience hours required for them to achieve their goals of getting their P1 licences. They have both manual and automatic cars, and also provide outreach to a number of rural towns. Learners can be of any age and from any community in Northern Tasmania but they must meet a criteria of being on a health care card, or on a low income; not have anybody to support them to get their hours up; and /or have no suitable vehicle. Learner drivers are required to obtain professional lessons (minimum 2) and be deemed capable prior to commencing by a recognised Driving School.
What’s one life lesson you’ve learned from volunteering?
You don’t need to rush. When you are helping someone to learn, everything will go at the pace it’s supposed to. Some people are quicker than others. So it’s taught me patience, kindness and it’s has grown my confidence and my communication skills along the way too. It will all happen in its own time. I make a point of enjoying the experience and that philosophy has transferred into my own life too.
What would you say to people who are thinking of volunteering?
Do it. Absolutely do it! There are so many people who need help to get their licence, and for many people getting and keeping a job depends on this skill. Mentors can help change people’s capacity and improve their access to opportunities. It doesn’t matter what your age is, or that you are a perfect driver with years and years of experience. You just need to be a confident driver, and calm, patient person. The program will help you to grow your skills. Just dip your toe in and see if it’s for you. If you are an older person this might even meet your Centrelink requirements. You'll enjoy the experience while seeing people growing their confidence and skills. Wheels4Work are screaming out for mentors and giving even just one hour a week or an evening hour can help someone to get their licence.