Case studies

Ian Shiells

Ian Shiells, 68, left the RAF in 1996 after 21 years of service, rising from Air Traffic Control Assistant to Flight Lieutenant and Navigator on the Nimrod. He also served a five-year stint as a Reserve in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, leaving in 2003. Alongside this, he enjoyed a diverse civilian career which spanned roles such as managing a post office, driving buses and HGVs, and running a wood recycling company that provided work opportunities for adults with learning difficulties.

Ian retired in 2015 and in 2023 he began volunteering with Fares4Free as a Volunteer Driver. His experience highlights how volunteering not only transforms the lives of others, but also brings personal fulfilment.

Ian said: “As someone who had a smooth transition to civilian life, I wanted to support veterans who hadn’t been as fortunate. There are many charities working to help veterans in Scotland, but I felt Fares4Free was the best fit for me.”

Fares4Free provides holistic transport support to veterans and other members of the Armed Forces community, including family and friends, with over 60 volunteer drivers working across Scotland. As well as ensuring beneficiaries get to all their medical and therapeutic appointments, the charity helps veterans integrate into their local community by supporting them to attend local activities, events and volunteering opportunities.

The charity also works with over 50 collaborative partners and connects its beneficiaries with other support and services they may find helpful.

“My role involves picking up people in the local area, driving them to their appointments, and taking them home. On average, I’ll complete two jobs a week. Some beneficiaries live rurally where public transport isn’t available or regular, or some veterans may feel anxious or overwhelmed about their upcoming appointments. Being taken directly from A to B in an environment where they feel safe can make a big difference.”

All Fares4Free outreach support officers and volunteers attend a bespoke training workshop which covers The Legal Environment, The Identification, Assessment and Control of Hazards, Defensive Driving Standards and Lone Working, First Aid Awareness, Conflict Management and Workplace Stress, Manual Handling Awareness and Disability Awareness.

Reflecting on his interactions with beneficiaries, Ian says: “I take the lead from my passenger on whether they want to chat, but I do end up having conversations most of the time, and sometimes I can help put them at ease or reassure them if they are worried about anything. Sometimes I’ll pick someone up for the first time and they won’t say much at all, but after I’ve done a few journeys with them, I can’t get them to stop talking. It’s nice to know that they feel comfortable.”

Many volunteers at Fares4Free are first introduced to the service as a beneficiary. Inspired by the impact of the service, they later chose to give back.

Ian continued: “Being a volunteer enables me to help other people and gives me a sense of purpose. It gets me out of the house and meeting new people, whether it’s passengers or other drivers during training.

“I’d encourage anyone thinking about volunteering to take the first step—it’s rewarding, meaningful, and can change lives, including your own. It doesn’t take a lot of time and effort – even a small action can make a big impact.”

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To learn more about the experiences of Veterans, please read our Anything But Uniform report.