VINTAGE TRAINS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO HELPWITH COVID-19 FIGHTBACK

VINTAGE Trains (VT) is appealing for volunteers to come forward and help with its coronavirus resilience plans while some of its paid staff are furloughed.

Naturally the train operating company is continuing to work on its recovery plans behind the scenes, and how it can safely resume operation when the time comes.

However, VT cannot use furloughed staff for any tasks, and the only way to progress its recovery is for volunteers to come forward and fill lost or suspended roles.

"We have done everything we can to minimise costs during our shutdown, many of our staff have been furloughed and the collection placed in safe storage, and we are fortunate in having no large debts or loans;' said VT company secretary Robin Coombes.

"Our priority has been to take care of and support our staff and volunteers as best we can, to survive the crisis and emerge in recovery mode.

"This we are confident we can do, but we need more help:'

The skills VT is seeking at Tyseley include:

■ General office administration

■ Database and spreadsheet creation

■ Managing and providing content for social media channels

■ Marketing

■ Website design, content and management

■ Sales skills and/or management

■ Customer Management Systems

■ Train planning

■ Telephone answering

■ On-board personnel for safety and passenger care once services restart

■ Individuals with a business network in Birmingham/ West Midlands

■ Individuals with a strong rail industry network

The roles would be based at home owing to lockdown restrictions, but VT has said there may be opportunities to continue the roles once some normality to returns to life. Anyone interested in helping out and requiring more details should email Robin Coombes on: robin.coombes@vintagetrains.co.uk