THE Refugee Learner Drivers program, run by the Australian Red Cross in Coffs Harbour, celebrated its five-year milestone on Wednesday 30 November.

Some 20 past participants, a handful of current learners, volunteers, stakeholders, Red Cross leadership and donor representatives gathered at the Coffs Harbour office for an informal catch up.

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“It was about sharing stories and meeting other people who participate in and are touched by the program,” Brad Bevitt, Red Cross Regional Operations Manager Northern NSW, who runs the program, told News Of The Area.

“It is not a ‘nice to have’ life skill, but an essential requirement of living in a regional city,” said Brad.

At different stages of life, achieving our tasks and obligations can be difficult in Coffs Harbour without a licence.

“Many of our basic life tasks rely on having a driver’s licence,” said Brad.

A recipient of the service, known as Lisa, gave feedback, saying, “If I can drive I can take the car to school for my children, but also to get some freedom for myself.

“It is very important to meet with my friends and have freedom, there are many good chances to do good things for myself.”

How the program works can be likened to how parents tutor their youngsters to master the skills of driving and road sense.

It is not a driving school and there are no driving instructors.

Brad also points out it is not a service for parents.

“A person from a refugee background comes to us and we find a volunteer from the community who is willing to be their fully licenced supervisor, much like a parent does with a teenager.”

People can apply directly to the Red Cross in Coffs Harbour to participate in the learner driver mentor program.

“We help people from a refugee background, who do not have either a suitable supervisor and/or vehicle to learn to drive in.

“Most learners have no driving experience when they start with us, some have a handful of hours with an instructor.”

The Red Cross will help people get any class of licence, but generally people are able to obtain the learners permit, but do not have someone to supervise them in the vehicle and do not have the resources to pay for professional lessons.

“Most of our learners are aged over 25, most are female and presently, the major cultural groups are Yazidi from Northern Iraq/Syria and people from Myanmar.

“We match volunteer supervisors/mentors with learners.”

Learners use Red Cross cars.

“Our volunteers come and take our cars to meet the learner, or they both meet here at the Red Cross office.

“There are some great, quiet driving locations for early beginners, but ultimately, they end up driving around Coffs Harbour gaining real experience.”

Feedback from the learner driver mentor program volunteers is that they love what they do.

“They get the opportunity to help someone fix one problem or learn one skill, from start to finish which is really rewarding,” said Brad.

“It also affords them an opportunity to have a much deeper relationship and understanding of different people, backgrounds, and situations because they spend time working with a single person and often getting to know about their life.”

Volunteer driving supervisors/mentors are welcome to join the team.

“You don’t have to be a ‘great’ driver, you just need to know the road rules.

“What’s more important is an ability to mentor or share information, particularly when language is limited.”

Volunteers need to be calm and patient, “as teaching adults can be tedious”, said Brad.

The service continues to have support from a single philanthropic partner who has been with the program for several years.

By Andrea FERRARI