Djerriwarrh Community and Education Services has been recognising volunteer week from May 15 to 21 by celebrating its TAC L2P volunteer driving mentors.
L2P is a free program designed to help learner drivers under 21 years of age who do not have access to a supervising driver or appropriate vehicle gain the driving experience required for a probationary license.
The Melton L2P program, learner drivers has mentored 197 disadvantaged young drivers to gain their license over almost 15 years.
Steve Staunton has been mentoring with Melton L2P for seven years, and said he “gets a buzz” out of seeing someone develop from having no driving skills, all the way through to getting their p’s.
“Some don’t like driving when they start, and seeing them learn to enjoy driving, and helping them become good, safe drivers which helps them move onto other goals they have – I love seeing success come out of a not so good situation,” he said.
“I’m more than a supervising driver … I feel like a life coach, there hasn’t been one [mentee] that I haven’t become good friends with through the process.”
Akima Manoah is a mentee who is just three weeks from going for her P’s and said she has “loved” the program.
“You create a connection over 120 hours, my mentor was great, we had the best conversations and they also taught me about the safest way to be on the road,” she said.
“For people like myself it was such a great program to be a part of.”
Djerriwarrh is currently looking for volunteers with a full license for the TAC L2P Program. Training is provided.
Details: 8746 1000 or L2P@djerriwarrh.org.
Liam McNally
