Drivers and assistants 

Every year approximately 500 people who are alone, homeless, or in need on Christmas Day rely on Norwich Open Christmas to provide them with entertainment and Christmas dinner. Of these people, between 100 - 200 of them would be unable to attend if it were not for the generosity of volunteers who give up their time to transport guests to and from St Andrews Hall.
​
If you are able to help out as a driver or assistant all day, that would be great. There will be other tasks for you in St Andrews Hall between driving duties. However, if you are only able to spare a couple of hours in the morning or afternoon, that would be brilliant too!

Drivers

Morning drivers

• ​Drivers and their escorts will be asked to collect guests from their homes and bring them to St Andrews Hall. We aim for guests to arrive from 11:00 to 11:30. 
• After you have driven guests to St Andrews Hall, you may return home, or if preferred, you can be allocated further duties. 

Afternoon drivers

• Drivers and their assistants will be asked to attend St Andrews Hall from 16:00 and stand by until guests requiring transport are ready to go home.  Entertainment finishes about 17:00, at which time the final guests will be ready to leave for home.

Your car

• Your car can be anything from a small family saloon to a large 4 x 4, but you should check with your insurance company that you are covered to carry non-fee paying guests (most people are, but you should check).
• You will be accompanied by an assistant, for both your and your passengers’ security. 
• If you have a friend or relative who will act as assistant, please let us know. However we have a number of volunteers willing to act as assistant if you can’t find anyone available.

​Your responsibility on the day 

• You must ensure you have a charged mobile phone.​

Assistants

• Assistants do not need their own car. 
• Assistants will be asked to accompany their driver, help with finding the guest's homes, and making and answering any necessary phone calls.
• Assistants, together with the driver, will assist guests where necessary and help load guests’ luggage into the car.  
• Assistants play an important role as they provide both guests and drivers with a high level of integrity and reassurance.

Transport contacts

If you have any questions regarding the role of volunteer driver or escort, please contact our transport coordinator Karen. 
Phone:  01603 510751 (choose option 1)
Email: ​[email protected]