Volunteer application packMay 2014

www.transportforall.org.uk

(transportforall)

TfA is a registered charity No.1063733 and a company limited by guarantee No.3337948.About Transport for All

London is one of the wealthiest cities in the world yet many transport services remain out of bounds for its disabled and older citizens. Physical barriers like flights of stairs, gaps and obstacles combined with the way services are run prevent many from living independent lives.

Without knowing what accessible alternatives exist, these barriers at worst can condemn people to becoming isolated, housebound and ruin health and quality of life.

Rooted in the social model of disability, Transport for All (TfA) is dedicated solely to tackling this situation. For over two decades we have been championing the cause of accessible transport in the capital and are widely regarded as the leading light on this vitally important issue.

TfA has a membership of 2000 individual disabled and older people from across every borough of London and an on-line community of over 8000 supporters across social media platforms. Our website www.transportforall.org.uk was nominated for ‘best not for profit’ site in the NOMINET Internet Awards 2012 and has on average 13,000 visitors a month – making it one of the best on-line resources for disabled people in the U.K

Through our helpline and dedicated advice and advocacy services we advise and empower 2000 disabled and older people per annum to access alternative accessible routes, travel concessions and take up transport related benefits.

TfA prides itself on being a grassroots organisation that transport providers and commissioners take notice of.

Our recent successes have included: Despite costing £14.5 billion, Crossrail was originally planned to

have 7 inaccessible stations. We are extremely proud that our high profile influencing work has resulted in both the Dept of Transport and Transport for London (TfL) conducting a U-turn and stating that achieving full Crossrail access is now their ‘preferred option’ and funding a feasibility to assess how this can happen.

During the London 2012 Games, manual boarding ramps were used at 16 Tube stations to enable access onto the train. We secured a roll out to a further 16 Tube stations, by presenting TfL with evidence of the difference they had made to wheelchair and scooter users (collected through our helpline). The use of these ramps has unlocked the Tube to many disabled and older people – some are able to use their local Tube station for the first time.

We used our helpline data to call for better customer service for disabled and older people; and subsequently provide disability equality training to London Underground trainers and front line station staff as well as bus drivers and operational managers at

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Stagecoach and Arriva. This is the first time these companies have engaged with a user led disabled people’s organisation in the provision of staff training.

Looking forward, the rest of 2014 is set to be busy with a number of exciting campaigns and initiatives planned. We are searching for dynamic and talented volunteers to join our team and assist us in this important work.

Could this be you?

The role descriptions are listed on Pages 3-6. We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours for accessible transport.

Faryal Velmi

DirectorTransport for All

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Volunteer roles

Communications support volunteerThis volunteer role will support our internal and external communications– working across all of our platforms including social, website, printed and e-newsletters.

A fantastic opportunity to learn more about:

Using a number of digital platforms and tools How to use Social media to promote a cause and/or event. Photography & Video production and editing Graphic design

Volunteer skills required:

Experience/knowledge/interest in the issues faced by disabled people, in particular around access to transport services.

Good/Excellent IT skills Working knowledge of social media, i.e. Facebook, Twitter Writing skills (desired but not essential) Photography skills (desired and not essential)

Role description Assist the Communications and Projects officer in a range of tasks. Manage the photograph database. Assist in the mailing out of printed documents to our members. Assist in the recording testimonies and case studies (audio, video or

text). Write copy for a range of digital and printed communications

including the website and newsletters (printed and on-line). Monitoring and recording TfA’s media presence

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Volunteer roles

Advice and helpline volunteerThis volunteer role will support our advice and advocacy services through advising disabled and older people on accessible transport issues and their rights when travelling. This will be through answering calls to our helpline, responding to email enquiries and occasionally meeting people face to face.

Training and support will be given and the helpline will operate on a ‘call back’ basis – ensuring that volunteers can look up the correct information to give to callers.

Volunteer skills required:

Experience/knowledge/interest in the issues faced by disabled people, in particular around access to transport services.

Friendly and empathetic telephone manner Average/Good IT skills Attention to detail when recording calls and monitoring information.

Role description Answering calls to TfA’s helpline Responding to email enquiries Advising on a variety of issues including accessible journey

planning, application form assistance and general information on getting around London accessibly.

Collecting case studies from disabled and older transport users Monitoring each call and entering details into TfA’s monitoring

system. Assisting to ensure that TfA’s information resources, i.e. websites

and leaflets are up to date. Researching the websites of transport providers

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Volunteer roles

Campaigns and research volunteerThis role offers a great opportunity to be a part of TfA’s campaigning activities and assist in putting together the ‘case for support’ needed every time we embark on a campaign.

Volunteer skills required:

Experience/knowledge/interest in the issues faced by disabled people, in particular around access to transport services.

Good IT skills Good communication skills – written, verbal and face to face.

Role description

Conducting research on relevant topics and issues Compiling reports and articles Drafting press releases and liaising with press contacts Collecting case studies from disabled and older transport users Drafting articles for the TfA website and for other publications and

websites Supporting preparation for meetings and campaign actions (e.g.

publicity, logistics) Attending press stunts, campaign meetings and other actions.

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Volunteer roles

Office Support volunteerThis volunteering opportunity is around supporting TfA’s activities and contributing towards the smooth running of the office.

Volunteer skills required:

Experience/knowledge/interest in the issues faced by disabled people, in particular around access to transport services.

Good IT skills Friendly and empathetic telephone manner Good communication skills – written, verbal and face to face.

Role description Welcoming newly joined members and introducing them to TfA. Updating TfA’s databases when required Assisting with the organising of events and meetings Assisting with the promotion of events through emails and

telephone calls

Volunteering Terms and Conditions

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1. Recruitment and SelectionVolunteer candidates will be invited to an informal meeting to discuss the volunteering position. Transport for All will adhere to its equalities and diversity policy when recruiting and selecting volunteers.

2. DBS ChecksVolunteers will be required to undergo a DBS check prior to commencing their volunteer role with the organisation.

3. Probation PeriodA probation period of 2 weeks will begin on the first day of volunteering. This is so both the organisation and the volunteer can familiarise themselves with each other. After the probation period a meeting with be held between the volunteer and their manager. If mutually agreed the volunteer will be confirmed in the role.

4. Support, Supervision and training.All volunteers will have an induction to their volunteering which will involve an overview of the relevant policies and procedures. Following induction, volunteers will have regular support and supervision meetings with a relevant manager to identify areas for development, or to discuss any issues. Training for specific tasks will be given.In addition, volunteers can access learning and development opportunities which are relevant to their volunteering role throughout their time with Transport for All. Opportunities for learning and development will form part of the discussions at support and supervision sessions. Where a concern is highlighted – either by a volunteer or about a volunteer, this will be dealt with using the organisation’s Disciplinary, Grievance and Dismissal Policy.

5. ExpensesTransport for All will pay all volunteers up to £5 for lunch expenses for a full day. Travel expenses for zones 1 -5 will also be reimbursed on production of an expenses form and a valid receipt. Volunteers are expected to use the most economical for of transport at all times. Any other additional expenditure must be discussed with the relevant manager prior to incurring it so to ensure that it can be covered by the organisation.

6. HolidayWhere volunteers have holidays or other commitments which mean that they cannot attend their normal volunteering, they should advise the organisation in good time to ensure that we can arrange alternative cover. If volunteers require a longer break from their volunteering, they should

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discuss this with their manager. Transport for All will endeavour to be as flexible as possible to accommodate the needs of volunteers.

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Volunteer Application Form

Name: Surname:

Address:

Home no: Work no:

Mobile no: Email:

Please indicate which volunteer role(s) within TfA you are interested in:

Communications SupportAdvice and helplineCampaigns and researchOffice SupportA combination of the above or something else? Please specify below:

Please indicate which day(s) you are available to volunteer:

Morning 10am-1pm

Afternoon 2pm-5pm

All day

MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday

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Why would you like to volunteer with Transport for All? Tell us what skills or experience you have which you feel may be of value to our organisation. Please include specific reference to the volunteering role(s) you are applying for.

Continue on a separate piece of paper if needed. You may also attach your CV in addition to answering this question.

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Will you require any access aids to assist you in your volunteering role with Transport for All?

References:Please give names and address of two referees, who should be: your current or most recent employer or from an organisation where you have previously volunteered or have known you personally for at least three years. Please do not give the names and contact details for people you are related to.

1.Name

Job Title

Company

Address

2.Name

Job Title

Company

Address

Telephone no Telephone no

Email

How do you know this person?

Email

How do you know this person?

Reference will be taken up prior to an offer of a Volunteer role with Transport for All.

Signature of applicant:

Date:

Please email or post your completed application form to:

Email: Faryal@transportforall.org.uk

Post: Transport for All. Weare336, 336 Brixton Road. London SW9 7AA

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Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Monitoring the diversity of our applicants and staff is an essential part of TfA’s commitment to Equality and Diversity. Please complete this form and return it with your application form. It is entirely confidential and will not be made available to those involved in shortlisting or the selection process, or for any purpose other than monitoring and statistical reporting.

1. How would you describe your ethnic origin (tick one)?

White Mixed Asian/Asian British

Black/Black British

Other Ethnic Groups

British What & Black Caribbean

Indian Caribbean Chinese

Irish White & Black African

Pakistani African Vietnamese

Portuguese White & Asian

Bangladeshi Black other – please specify

Other – please specifyOther –

please specify

Any other mixed background – please specify

Any other South Asian – please specify

2. Gender: Male Female3. Do you consider yourself to be transgender? Yes No Prefer not to say4. Are you: Lesbian Bisexual Gay Prefer not to say5. Do you consider yourself to be a disabled person? Yes NoPrefer not to say6. Age 18-25 26-40 41-65 65+

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