June 9th, 2023TAC L2P Program needs volunteer supervising driving mentors

TAC L2P program is partly funded by Transport Accident Commission and supported locally by the Daylesford Foundation for young people aged between 16 and 21 years, sometimes up to 23 years, who do not have access to suitable adult supervising drivers or access to suitable cars in their personal circles.
The Ballarat Foundation, who manages the program, and matches young people with a volunteer supervising driver mentor along with providing access to a suitable car to help gain necessary driving practices and complete 120 hours of supervised driving.
The organisation is currently looking for more volunteers to come onboard and
help these young people gain necessary driving skills. For those who are interested to
join the program and support the needy young learner driver the requirements are
to have full Victorian Drivers Licence, have or be willing to apply for Working with
Children Check and National Police Check, able to complete L2P mentor training
and have capacity to spare 2-3 hours per week for driving with a young person.
Volunteer mentor and Daylesford resident Liz Matthews started with L2P 12
months ago when the Daylesford Foundation donated a car for the program.
Liz said she loved helping out not just the drivers but also their families and
keeping in touch with the younger generation.
“I think you become like another parent for the kids. You are a mentor but often
they are keen to chat to you about their lives as well. They are all good kids and it is
just lovely to take them out – and they are really happy for the opportunity too.”
Liz said there were currently six mentors in Daylesford helping 11 young people
learn how to drive and get their hours up.
“When they first start they can be a bit nervous but after a while they warm up.
I have a young girl who I take out on Mondays and we are going to St Arnaud for
lunch and back. That will give her four hours of driving – with a break. And I have a
couple who are nor far off getting their licences, they have 80 to 90 hours done.
“All the mentors, and we would love more, enjoy the volunteering. We are all
retired and a bit older and it’s lovely to chat with the kids and just enjoy the time
together. And it’s all about helping out locals.”
For further information or questions please contact L2P coordinator
Padma Giri on 0422 809 587.