ABOUT EAST LOTHIAN COMMUNITY RAIL PARTNERSHIP

Community Rail Partnerships (CRP) were first established in England in the 1990s as a formal mechanism to reinvigorate local and rural railways. CRP status provides a framework for community involvement in strategic planning, development and operation of a specific railway line.

Since 2014, the East Lothian Community Rail Partnership has been pulling together a wide range of local organisations with an interest in communities and sustainable transport, to fix the link between railway stations, town centres and the surrounding areas, and realise an integrated transport network accessible to all. We work with four train operators (ScotRail, LNER, TransPennine Express, and Cross Country), Transport Scotland, East Lothian Council, the Regional Transport Partnership (SEStran), local businesses and community groups towards the following aims:

• Supporting the local economy by promoting rail use and rail facilities
• Actively promoting the use of rail and other public and low carbon-emitting transport
• Supporting safety, security and access initiatives relating to railway use
• Working with ‘station adopters’ (individuals and groups) to provide a more pleasant environment within the station areas.

ABOUT THE VACANCY

Harry Barker has been chairing East Lothian CRP since its inception in 2014 and is now preparing to pass on the reins of a well-established and respected organisation. In addition the time is right to expand the Board and also appoint a vice chair. Examples of projects completed to date include:

• restored the murals at Prestonpans Station (best community project 2023)
• improved signage to stations
• provided information boards for display in stations promoting local attractions and historical information
• supported many local events in the North Berwick and Dunbar areas
• producing a line guide and leaflets to encourage tourism
• working with bus operators to improve integration between bus and rail

Projects have always been dependent on external funding which to date has not proved problematical, and, as such, the incoming Chair will have the flexibility to pursue their own agenda. The CRP is financially sound and new ways of operating are being explored by The Community Rail Network and the new Chair will be well placed to provide input to these.

East Lothian CRP has no paid staff, and projects are led by volunteers under direction from the Board, and therefore the amount of work involved can vary but can be expected to be around 10 hours per month for the Chair.

DUTIES OF THE CHAIR

Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring that the CRP is run in accordance with the constitution
• Guiding and encouraging projects that will be undertaken from time to time
• Ensuring that the Action Plan is kept up to date
• Chairing four meetings per year, including the AGM (normally held in November)
• Producing an annual report for the AGM
• Ensuring that the activities of the CRP are within the guidelines produced by the Train Operating Companies in all respects particularly including safely

BENEFITS

You will receive a ‘staff’ rail pass from ScotRail permitting free rail travel throughout Scotland when travelling on ScotRail trains.

Reasonable expenses will be paid if required to travel on other rail services and/or stay overnight.

REQUIREMENTS

The successful applicant will be expected to support public transport in general, with a keen interest in integration between modes such as buses, active travel and rail.

A willingness of Board members to attend committees and conferences is essential (expenses will be covered) and these will give valuable access to professional railway staff and management on the front line, where your views can be heard. These include:

• the local ‘Rail Forum’ involving MSPs, Councillors and Train Operating Companies - twice a year, usually virtually
• in-person or virtual annual conferences of the four local Train Operating Companies (ScotRail, Cross Country Trains, TransPennine Express, and LNER) which may be held anywhere in the UK
• An annual event in Scotland sponsored by Modern Railways magazine which is attended by many high profile railway managers and senior representation from Transport Scotland
• Virtual attendance (via Zoom) at the national Community Rail Network meetings
• In-person Community Rail Networks Awards ceremony, if the CRP is short listed for an Award – this year’s was in Swansea over three days
• Six Community Area Partnership ‘On the Move’ groups consider local transport in East Lothian – CRP representation on one or more of these groups is important for a full appreciation of issues surrounding each station. Each On the Move Group meets every two months

A knowledge of railways and their workings is desirable but not essential.

Living in East Lothian and using the county’s rail services from time to time would be advantageous.

You will be expected to liaise with the station adoption groups from time to time. They have a separate relationship with ScotRail.

You will be expected to be pro-active in instructing the website to be kept up to date via the CRP’s appointed webmaster, and in responding to public enquiries which come via the website. You will not be required to answer complaints from the travelling public but direct these to ScotRail for attention.

From time to time it may be necessary to communicate with the local Press (East Lothian Courier and occasionally Edinburgh Evening News).

Do you have passion for developing funding opportunities that make a difference? Are you a creative writer who is skilled in bid writing and looking for your next career move where you can contribute to organisational success? If so, we have a great opportunity for you to join Quarriers as a Creative Content Writer within our Grants and Bids team!

Your new opportunity

Quarriers have an exciting opportunity for a Creative Content Writer (Grants and Bid Writing) to work in collaboration with our Funding and Marketing Department, providing mutual support and optimising opportunities for developing Quarriers’ business through synergies between the Grants and Business Development.

As the Creative Content Writer you will use your talent and creative flair to write compelling, concise and convincing proposals, whilst liaising with stakeholders, oversee tender and funding opportunities including submissions. You will monitor opportunities, respond to tenders as well as develop and produce innovative and compelling bid documents.

This is a part-time permanent role working 28 hours per week (over 4 days) in line with our agile working policy, which blends homeworking with office time and service visits.

What you will need to bring to the role

• Knowledge and experience of grant management, reporting and evaluation techniques
• Knowledge of the Scottish trusts and grants funding landscape
• An understanding of social care/healthcare service design.
• Excellent IT knowledge and experience in using database systems.
• Knowledge of Developing and creatively writing high quality bids/tenders
• Excellent written and verbal communication and organisational skills to support strict deadlines and work in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.
• Driving licence is essential

What’s in it for you?

• Substantial holiday entitlement.
• Generous workplace pension.
• Family-friendly working policies and procedures.
• Life Assurance.
• Wider benefits including our Employee Assistance Programme, free physiotherapy & occupational health support.

We’re recruiting for a Funding Officer to join our Development team based at Dava Street in Glasgow.

The Funding Officer will be responsible for the scoping, development and submission of grant funding bids, diverse income streams and business opportunities on behalf of Right There. This is an excellent opportunity to work with our Income Generation Lead and Director of Development to ensure that we maximise income potential across our programmes and the wider organisation.

We are Right There, a charity celebrating our 200th anniversary. We provide tailored support for people, at home and in the community. We are here for people who are living with the effects of homelessness, poverty, substance use or family breakdowns. Last year we supported almost 4000 individuals, helping to prevent them from becoming homeless or separated from the people they love. Every person’s story is unique, and everyone’s route home is different – it doesn’t matter what the situation is – we’re not here to judge, only to help.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Scoping, preparing, writing and submitting funding proposals and grants whilst supporting the development of new approaches towards programme delivery
• Monitoring contracts and grants including active mapping and tracking of income streams and effective resubmission process
• Supporting the development of funding/income pipeline portfolio, providing regular review of diverse income opportunities across 3rd sector landscape and managing the bid library
• Development and review of Right There Bid Library – creating good practice response examples linked to programmes
• Coordinate completion of grant applications and reports in line with contractual compliance and liaising with relationship managers to ensure timely submission
• Maintain up to date knowledge of current trends and development across the sector, contributing to a live knowledge bank that benefits the organisation
• Work with the Communications team to promote Right There services through agreed media outlets

Full details can be found in the job & person specification which you can download below.

What we expect from you..

Our values make us who we are and define our actions and behaviours every day. We’d expect the post-holder to uphold and represent our organisation in a way that reflects our values and person-centred way of working.

We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate excellent knowledge and understanding of the landscape in which Right There operates. You will have proven experience in tender/grant fundraising coupled with experience of bid management from identifying opportunities through to successful completion. We also need you to be a skilled communicator with a flair for working with a diverse range of people.

What you can expect from us..

• The post holder will report to the Income Generation Lead
• Working 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, flexibly between the hours of 8am and 6pm, with core hours during the period of 10am to 4pm, with 1 hour unpaid break
• Your usual place of work will be 15 Dava Street, Glasgow, G51 2JA. You may also choose to work remotely from your home address where appropriate, working arrangements are in agreement with your line manager based on the needs of the service
• Annual leave entitlement of 210 hours (equivalent to 6 weeks) pro rata in your first year, rising to 280 hours (equivalent to 8 weeks) pro rata in your second year. This includes public holidays
• You will automatically be enrolled into the People’s Pension in the month that you will complete 3-months of employment, providing you meet the auto-enrolment criteria
• Life insurance 4 x salary
• Option to purchase and sell annual leave
• Comprehensive induction and ongoing learning and development
• Cycle to work scheme
• Wellness programmes

Welcoming, Connecting and Supporting Families and Visitors is at the core of what we do here at the Croft!

Providing practical and emotional support, information and advice to the families impacted by a loved one’s imprisonment at HMP Barlinnie to help make their visiting experience the best it can be under the circumstances

Do you want to help make a difference to the lives of families affected by another’s imprisonment – this is a group of people, including many children, often marginalised and severely impacted, practically, emotionally and financially by the actions of another. Want to learn new skills in the process? - you can by becoming a volunteer Board Member for the Croft HMP Barlinnie’s Visitors Centre.

What we are looking for

We are looking to recruit a number of Board members.

We welcome applicants from any background and experience, including people who have been personally impacted. We welcome all skills but do have particular skills gaps we would love to bring on board–

• Case Management Systems – to have oversight of and help us develop an appropriate system.
• Treasurer - Accounting/Finance experience to help us with oversight of our funding and statutory reporting.
• Human Resources.
• Business development/growth – particularly Social Enterprises / Community Interest Companies.

What you get from being a Board Member

1. The chance to give something back into the community and make a real difference to the lives of families impacted by imprisonment - Becoming a Trustee is a fantastic way to give something back to a cause you care about. You’ll be playing an integral part in the way the charity is run, ensuring it remains sustainable and financially viable. The help you provide will be invaluable.
2. Meet new people - joining a new organisation or charity is a fantastic way to meet new people from a range of different personal and professional backgrounds. There will be meetings to attend, projects to get involved.
3. Learn new things - getting involved as a charity Trustee is a great way to put your professional skills to use, but can also be a fantastic opportunity to learn new things. You’ll get great insight into what’s involved in the management of charities and gain skills on working well within a leadership role.
4. Improve your CV and enhance your professional development - from learning how organisations are run to planning finances and attending meetings, this experience can be the perfect way to boost a CV and set you apart from the crowd.

Background

For more information about the Croft and its work see:

Visit our new website: thecroftfamilysupport.org

Visit our Facebook page: facebook.com/CroftVisitorsService

Click on this article to read about just some of the work we do: cjg-annualreport23.co.uk/2023/08/21/supporting-families-cost-of-living-crisis-a-year-of-reflection