HcL is a charitable company that was set up in 1982 as Handicabs (Lothian) to provide accessible transport for people in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

We provide Door-through-Door transport services meeting personal mobility needs by providing the assistance needed at the start and end of a journey. This may be assisting people with getting their coat on or ensuring that they are settled safely in their home after the journey. The profile of our passengers indicates an exceptionally high level of mobility difficulty; 35% use a wheelchair and many passengers cannot use buses or even taxis.

Our emphasis on quality of service extends to offering a 365 day a year service, evenings and weekends subject to driver availability.

We have a position for an experienced Fundraising Manager to join us to source and manage fundraising opportunities and manage social media activities. The post 18 hrs, is normally worked between core hours Monday – Friday 8:30 – 17:00, all working patterns will be considered in line with operational requirements. The location of the post is flexible. It is envisaged as being home based, with a requirement to visit our office in either Loanhead or Bathgate occasionally. HcL offer 36 days holiday (includes public holiday’s pro-rata) and access to Peoples Pension/ Lothian Pension with employer contributions up to 22.3%

You will work autonomously reporting to the Operations Manager to seek out new fundraising opportunities, manage grant applications and maintain relationships with existing donors. Some specific responsibilities will be:

• Research fundraising opportunities, write grant applications to charitable trusts or statutory bodies (including Contracts for Public Tender Scotland) and explore grants and trusts funding opportunities for the charity

• Build relationships both internally and externally including major donors or companies and make presentations

• Manage set budget, ensure that targets are met and manage the funding pipeline

• Account handling: ensuring major donors or companies are happy with their donation scheme and are kept informed of progress and milestones

• Devise and organise social media campaigns and events

• Manage information, record the profile and fundraising activity of donors on the HcL database

• Coordinate fundraising activities and gather case studies from service users

• Provide updates to line manager and senior management team, highlighting any issues or concerns

• Develop papers on funding and new opportunities to the senior management team and Board of Trustees

To be successful in the role, you will have a proven track record in a fundraising role within the third sector and experience of Contracts for Public Tender Scotland would be desirable. You must have proven track record of achieving funding over 75K per annum, with a strong emphasis on full cost recovery and experience of unrestricted funding is desirable. You must have attention to detail and excellent communication skills including using social media with good IT skills. You will be a self-starter with drive and determination to achieve targets, recognising opportunities and highlighting risks. You will also work in line with the values of HcL and show commitment to accessibility.

Handicabs Lothian (HcL) are looking for new Trustees to join our Board, we are particularly interested in volunteers with relevant experience in Community/PSV Transport Legislation, Human Resources and Business Development. As a Trustee you will serve on our Board and help us support the Governance and management of the charity to deliver our new 5-year strategy. HcL provides travel solutions for people across the Lothians who have limited mobility. We provide much more than door-to-door transport through our fleet of vehicles and trained drivers, but a door-through-door service, assisting passengers, as needed, at the start and end of their journeys. Our funds come from the 4 Lothian Councils; fares income; donations; Transport Scotland; and local and national Funders and Trusts. We appreciate all of their support and throughout COVID-19, we have continued to deliver services adapting our support to the current circumstances.

Experience Required: commitment to the values of HcL, we are interested in volunteers with relevant experience in transport across the UK, human resources and the legal framework in which we operate, but equally we are keen to talk to people who can bring their lived experience to the charity. Trustees should also have time available to support with scrutinising and approving papers, support risk management and be able to use their expertise to support the new 5-year strategy for HcL.

WHAT CAN WE OFFER YOU?

Becoming a trustee is a fantastic and fascinating way to engage in the charity sector. It is a role which will give back just as much as you put in and often much, much more. Though often challenging, trusteeship will reward the adventurous and ambitious with a wealth of personal and professional skills which are valuable for both work and personal life whilst empowering you with a new sense of contribution in the pursuit of a wider purpose. You do not need previous trustee or senior charity staff experience to become a trustee and all new trustees will be offered a full package of training and induction.

There is no doubt that being a trustee is one of the powerful ways in which you can contribute to your local community or to a cause you really care about. As a trustee at HcL, you will play an integral part in shaping our sector and in ensuring that HcL adheres closely to our 5 year Strategy in the interests of its beneficiaries, supporting members to provide accessible and inclusive transport to the community. This is an opportunity to bring your experience insight on the unique issues facing community transport organisations in the Lothians area to the fore.

Being a trustee can be a very interesting experience, not least because it allows you to adapt your experience into an entirely new context. Through trusteeship you can gain a clearer idea of your own professional strengths and weaknesses whilst simultaneously learning altogether new skills. Understanding how to adapt your professional knowledge to useful ends within a charity is a good reminder of your own versatility, giving you confidence in your existing abilities whilst challenging you push the boundaries of your expertise.

As a trustee at HcL, you are part of a team and will have the opportunity to apply your unique skills and experience while learning from others. Working closely with a passionate team of people who have different perspectives is often one of the most enjoyable aspects of the role. The ability to collaborate effectively with others, to challenge constructively the ideas of trustees’ colleagues as well as those of the CEO and Senior Leadership Team is essential to ensuring the Board’s strategic decisions are scrutinised and tested before being implemented. Negotiating, empathising, listening and clearly communicating ideas and concerns are huge factors in this process and often help to set the tone and culture of Board meetings.

“BECOMING A TRUSTEE IS A FANTASTIC AND FASCINATING WAY TO ENGAGE IN THE CHARITY SECTOR. IT IS A ROLE WHICH WILL GIVE BACK JUST AS MUCH AS YOU PUT IN AND OFTEN MUCH, MUCH MORE.”

Previous Board or charity experience is not necessary – full training will be provided, and you will be partnered with a mentor who will provide you with support and guidance in your trustee appointment, diversity of thought and lived experience is also important to HcL’s mission.

The time you’ll need to dedicate is equivalent to one day a month, which comprises of 4 board meetings a year (meetings can either be attend in person at our Admin and Registered Office or by Zoom) plus any necessary time to prepare, occasional contact in between meetings to attend to issues. Expenses are available to cover travel and any support that is required for childcare/care of any dependents. We are happy to discuss any other reasonable adjustments required.

Members of the Executive are elected annually by and from the members of HcL and hold office until the conclusion of the following Annual General Meeting. Members are eligible for re-election provided that they are eligible as per Article 117.1, 117.2 and 117.3 of our Articles of Association.

Its important HcL represents diversity of thought, lived experience and wide social economics through their Board to impact their decision making. We welcome applications from every community and are particularly encouraging of applicants from minority ethnic groups and/or disabled people. HcL will not discriminate, ensuring that each candidate is assessed only in accordance with ability to perform the role.

We are also keen to attract a new mix of skills so we are open to Trustees being based anywhere in the UK.

Post 1: Bilston Glen - 35 hours per week on average

Post 2: LOCAL BUS SERVICE – West Lothian – Various shifts available - 25-35 hours per week

INTRODUCTION

HcL is a major Scottish Charity based in the Lothians. The organisation was set up in November 1982 to operate a transport service for people with a range of disabilities and health needs who are unable, or have great difficulty, in using public transport.

HcL receives most of its funding from The City of Edinburgh Council, Midlothian Council, East Lothian Council, West Lothian Council and Scottish Government to provide:

• Dial-A-Ride: a door-through-door transport service
• Dial-A-Bus: a semi-scheduled door-through-door shopping service

Our services cover Edinburgh and the Lothians, operating from our two local bases. We also respond to requests for journeys nationally on an availability basis.

Currently there are 19 minibuses (Dial-A-Ride) 9 midibuses (Dial-A-Bus) and one (Community Bus) in the fleet which have been specially adapted to carry wheelchair users and ambulant passengers.

PLACEMENT

Edinburgh, East & Midlothian District Office is located at 24/3a Dryden Road, Bilston Glen Industrial Estate, EH20 9HX, with 19 vehicles and 26 members of staff.

ACCOUNTABILITY

To the Operations Manager

DRIVING DUTIES

• To drive HcL vehicles as required.
• To provide any necessary assistance for passengers before, during, or after travel, consistent with their transport needs.
• To utilise the equipment provided correctly to ensure passengers travel safely and comfortably.
• Taking responsibility for the daily upkeep of their vehicle and equipment (and other vehicles when required), including basic maintenance and cleanliness. Defect reporting is required.
• The completion of necessary paperwork and administration, including fares collection from passengers and delivery of fares and drivers sheets to the office.
• To undertake any induction and in-service training programme as required.
• To assist in training for other staff and volunteer drivers/escorts when required.
• Contact by mobile phone is required.

Full Job Descriptions are available for download below.

HcL provides supported community transport to people with mobility challenges across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Our services enable people with mobility challenges to get out of their home. We take passengers where they want to go, enabling them to get out and about within their community. This helps people maintain independence, stay in their own home for longer, increase social interactions which in turn reduces loneliness and social isolation. This contributes positively to the wellbeing, both physically and mentally, of those we support.

HcL are looking for a part-time Finance Manager to join the core team. A new role to the charity that will oversee the day-to-day finance of the charity and conduct a review of procedures, processes and systems.

HcL provides supported community transport to people with mobility challenges across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Our services enable people with mobility challenges to get out of their home. We take passengers where they want to go, enabling them to get out and about within their community. This helps people maintain independence, stay in their own home for longer, increase social interactions which in turn reduces loneliness and social isolation. This contributes positively to the wellbeing, both physically and mentally, of those we support.

HcL are looking for a Development Manager to join the core team. A new role to the charity that will identify, explore and help to implement opportunities to develop and expand HcL services and networks. The role is part-time, 3 days a week and will be a blend of office based and home based.