Early in 2003 Colin was made redundant having spent several years working as a Fork Lift Truck Driver. In March 2003 Colin began working via us as Grounds/Street Cleansing Operative for Walsall Council. Working as part of a team he helped to keep the borough tidy throughout the summer. Unfortunately come October the weather took a turn for the worst and Colin was no longer needed to mow the grass, trim the hedges and tidy up the flower beds so we began looking for alternative work for him.

Before registering with us Colin had spent several years, employed and voluntary, working as a PCV driver, transporting people of all ages and with a various needs from a to b. Colin jumped at the opportunity to join our Social Care Team as a Passenger Driver, initially to keep him working through the winter months. Having successfully completed Walsall Councils driving assessment Colin began transporting people to and from Walsall’s Day Centres.

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Being a Passenger Driver for Walsall Council is much more than simply being a driver. Colin transports groups of adults with learning/physical disabilities. Working with a Passenger Escort he is responsible for ensuring that all his passengers are transported safely, on time and that they are confident in his abilities. Come March 2004 Colin was so happy in his new role that he decided to stay working as a driver rather than return to his previous role as a Grounds/Street Cleansing Operative.

Over the past few months Walsall Council has been recruiting for a number of passenger drivers to work throughout the borough. Colin was awarded a permanent job as a Passenger Driver with Walsall Council November 29th 2004.

Colin said ‘I am happy as a driver, putting a smile on someone’s face or just a laugh, I go home knowing I have made a difference.’

It has been a pleasure to have had Colin working for us and we would like to take this opportunity to wish him all the best for the future.