How does your railway's website encourage new volunteers?

Just found this great photo gallery on the Welshpool & Llanfair's website, showing what's going on "behind the scenes" on a non-operating day to keep the railway running.

http://www.wllr.org.uk/Midweek in May gallery 2013.htm

I'd be interested to know what other railways are doing on their website to encourage new volunteers. If you've found a good example, please post the link in this thread.

Richard

 

That is a very well presented gallery, an excellent introduction rather than the endless list of possible tasks. I shall certainly pass this on to our volunteer recruitment officer.

 

The Bluebell has monthly "find out more" days that give a whole day's behind-the-scenes tour of all the main departments to give a feel for what is involved as a volunteer. (Though for added authenticity, maybe they should start at 6am - joke).

AFAIK, they have been quite successful in attracting new volunteers, and particularly in showing that there is more to working on a railway than just being loco crew etc.

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/vol/vbbb01.htm

Tom

 

... but that webpage is just a list of dates and a link to contact the Volunteer Coordinator. It doesn't give any idea of the sort of things that people could do. Wouldn't it be better to show photos of people doing things, with smiles on their faces and showing the work they have completed?

Richard

 

Probably in an ideal world, but I think the webmaster spends much of his time in the C&W or working for the Trust!

If you go on the volunteer recruitment tour (which lasts all day), I think you would get a pretty good idea of what is involved, and the joy it can bring.

Tom

 

Also, there is a list of all the various tasks here, which for most visitors would be the first page you saw - the link to teh volunteer recruitment days comes off this page:

http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/volunteer.html

Tom

 

Just been looking at some others after Googling "heritage railway volunteer":

The NYMR has a good video intro, although it seems to concentrate only on train operating staff:
http://www.nymr.net/volunteering/
There's a long list of other volunteering opportunities below the video, but would anyone actually read all that? Some photos would be better. No contact details are given, but you can only enter your details on an online form. A named Volunteer Coordinator and email/phone number might be a bit more friendly.

Swanage's page is a jumble of text in two different colours. Very difficult to read on screen.
http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/n-volunteer.htm

Elsecar Railway only mentions volunteering briefly on its membership page:
http://www.elsecarrailway.co.uk/volunteer.html
They've only used one photo, which shows middle-aged men in operating jobs. Is that going to put off other volunteers?

Richard

 

Ah, that's a better intro. I see that the P'way team has its own volunteering page
http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/personal/jon-bowers/pway/volunteer.htm
which certainly shows what you can expect - physical work in all weathers, but real teamwork too.

The sepia photo of the P'way guy eating his lunch while the train goes by is brilliant - a real sense of achievement.

Richard

 

Volunteering is too important to leave it all to the webmaster. Doesn't the Bluebell have a Volunteer Coordinator who could help with writing/photos?

Richard

 

As important as the content is to ensure the website does not get too complicated. All too often one gets the impression the webmaster is "showing off" and forgetting that ease of use is vital.

PH

 

The Churnet Valley Railway volunteers page looks nice and simple and seems to work as it managed to attract me to sign up and get involved.

The persistent rain on my first working visit didn't put me off due to the very friendly and welcoming nature of the people involved with the railway.

 

Yes, he's linked from the first page I gave.

Tom

 

Epping Ongar Railway has recently launches a new poster....


And keep an eye on our website and social media as over the next few days short cameo video interviews with staff from across all the volunteering roles will be released.... of course, not to forget our informative website http://eorailway.co.uk/how-you-can-help/

 

Well I'll put in a word for the Mid Hants Railways departmental blogs, which are not only informative but occasionally very funny as well.
The Wednesday Loco gang seem to be fans of I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue, and even manage to fit in a spot of work around organising the very complicated cake rota and priminmg the Nickname Generator.
It is often made clear in the blogs that new members are always welcome to join in the fun.

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/article.php/24/preservation-news/9ab939d9e04775c5db80c753183c1f85

 

A very important part of attracting volunteers that might live far afield is the cleanliness and comfort of overnight accommodation. Many heritage railways rely on static Mk3 sleepers or conversions of other vehicles. Is this the best way to attract new people? What do other posters think?

 

Could someone look at the KWVR.... just see what you think that is all would like to know.

 

The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway have Keyse Cottage at Llanfair Caereinion which, I'm informed, is very good. Facilities elsewhere are "variable".

 

Can you give us a link to the webpage?

Richard

 

http://www.whr.co.uk/about/we-need-you-one-step-guide-volunteering

This was added to our website in the last week after I read this thread. Thoughts/opinions welcome.

 

That's a great page - a very personal account which other people can relate to.

Might be worth mentioning some of the other non-operating/engineering jobs - shop, cafe, gardening, publicity etc - which could interest a different type of volunteer.

Then you just need to page linked from the main navigation on the homepage.

Richard