Information about volunteering
Talking Tandems is a developing cycling project that involves individuals who
are blind or partially sighted in mainstream cycling activities thus improving
basic fitness levels and reducing the risk of long-term health issues in later
life.
The Pilot Project
The Pilot Project is the core service provided by Talking Tandems. It currently
loans tandem cycles, car lifts (for tandem cycles) and cycling accessories to
volunteer pilots and stokers throughout West and Central Fife resulting in a
flexible, affordable and personalised service to all our participants. We are
all members of Talking Tandems who enjoy all aspects of cycling for improved
health and well-being.
To date The Pilot Project’s volunteers have assisted individuals to return to
cycling after experiencing reduced sight loss, actively encouraged social
inter-action with local cycling groups like the Fife and Kinross Branch of the
Cyclists’ Touring Club (CTC) and prepared experienced tandem cycling stokers to
take part in more challenging charity cycle rides, for example, Cycling
Scotland’s Pedal for Scotland and the Dundee Cyclathon.
Activities as a Volunteer Pilot
The project promotes learning by doing, involving all participants in
opportunities to develop basic fitness levels, cycling skills and techniques
through mentoring and training courses designed specifically with cyclists in
mind. Your role as a Leisure Cyclist may include:
- Taking part in group cycle rides of 7-15 miles on cycle paths and quiet roads
(we do not go on mountain bike tracks).
- Transferring basic cycling techniques to tandem cycling.
- Auditing cycle paths to evaluate use by tandem cyclists.
- Assisting with roadside repairs during group cycle rides.
- Administering First Aid during group cycle rides.
- Tandem cycling with individuals who are blind or partially sighted.
- Supporting individuals who are blind or partially sighted take part in our
training courses.
- Assisting club co-ordinators to arrange delivery of tandems for bi-annual
service checks.
- Volunteer duties may vary from time to time due to the flexible nature of the
project.
We need people who:
- Live in West or Central Fife.
- Own their own bicycle.
- Can cycle 7-15 miles mainly on cycle paths and quiet roads (this does not
include mountain bike tracks).
- Wish to improve basic fitness levels, cycling skills and techniques.
- Are willing to learn how to transfer their cycling skills to tandem cycling.
- Can commit regular time to this developing project.
- Are willing to take part in cycling specific training courses.
Volunteer Recruitment Procedures
All our prospective volunteers:
- Complete a volunteer application form.
- Provide two referees that are followed up with written responses.
- Attend a group cycle ride that includes a tandem taster session.
- Attend a one-to-one informal discussion.
- Become a member of Talking Tandems.
- Are CRBS checked.
Volunteer Training Programme
Your training programme will be based on your previous knowledge and experience
of cycling. We promote learning by doing. All our volunteers are offered the
following:
- Regular meetings with volunteers.
- Cycle Ride Leader training provided by Cycling Scotland.
- Basic First Aid certificated training designed for cycling specific injuries and
delivered by the British Red Cross.
- In-house roadside repair information sessions.
- In-house tandem taster sessions that involve our experienced stokers who are
blind or partially sighted.
Volunteer Expenses
Where practicable, we encourage cycling to and from venues within Fife on solo
bikes or tandem cycles with an experienced stoker. We will reimburse volunteer
expenses at the following rates:
- 40p car mileage allowance.
- Public transport expenses.
Insurance
All our volunteers are insured for public liability and the loan of equipment
under Talking Tandems’ insurance policy.
Further Information
This is a developing project and this role description may vary from time to
time, for more details about volunteering with Talking Tandems please contact:
Janet Brereton, Tel: 01592 201 328, e-mail:
janet@talkingtandems.org