Publicity Officer

Here's our formal role description. Unless a person has prior experience being in such a role we wouldn't expect them to immediately doing all the tasks but grow into the role. In fact, even for a person with experience, we would expect some learning curve.

1. Aim: to maximise publicity for SPOKES locally.

2. Tasks:

a. Take the lead in publicising SPOKES activities, news and views outside SPOKES' own membership through digital media and non-digital as appropriate; ensuring timely and effective issuing of press releases 

b. Arranging for photos and other means of publicising SPOKES in the local press and broadcast/digital media.

c. Maintain good links with other local, regional and national sources of cycling news and views;

d. Be proactive with contacting local news reporters, so as to become known as a reliable, pleasant and effective source of news and comment about cycling matters;

e. Respond to local and national events and news involving cycling by initiating press releases, together with other SPOKES officers where appropriate;

3. Wherever content is controversial, the Publicity Officer must seek approval of the Chair or Vice Chair for anything that is purporting to represent SPOKES. If possible, publicity should be planned ahead and a collective 'line' agreed at Committee.

Most meetings are within the Newbury area. Meetings are monthly, and being able to attend would be advantageous.

About West Berkshire Spokes

The main aim of Spokes is to get more people in West Berkshire cycling as a form of transport. We achieve this by:

- Working with others to provide better cycling facilities, which includes:
o Cycle Routes
o Cycle Parking
o Cycle-friendly road layouts

- Responding to consultations:
o On relevant strategies and infrastructure proposals for West Berkshire
o On appropriate planning applications highlighting how cycling facilities can be included.
o Attend regular Cycle Forum meetings

- Training
o To ride
o Basics of bicycle checks and puncture repair

- Regularly updated website which includes relevant up to date news and local routes
- Bicycle checks
- Provision of bicycles to children whose families cannot afford one - as a bike loan scheme
- Regular Social Rides
- Membership - giving discounts at local bicycle stores
- Seed funding for larger projects
- Three time a year cycle audit on behalf of the council

Large Projects we have been involved with recently include:
- Canal towpath - raised poor state with the Canals and River Trust. Raised £100,000 through Greenham Trust to improve section east of Colthrop.
- Newbury to Didcot Railway line - working hard to reopen the line for pedestrians, cyclists and horse rides. First section opened in February 2020

What skills do I need?

• Good communications skills - both verbally and written English
• Some photography skills would be ideal
• Creativity - i.e. in how to publicise what we do
• Self-starter - Committee will help where it can, but none of us are publicists
• Media skills - e.g. managing content on facebook, bluesky, etc.
• Web skills - whilst we have a web master who can add content to the website, this could be done by the publicity officer too

Beyond that, they don't need to be a cyclist, but an interest in cycling would help, has an interest in improving the local environment or an interest in sustainability.

When is this role available?

This is a flexible role available on various days/times.

Details

Time commitment: Ideally the person can make the monthly meetings so their ideas, input from the rest of committee (and others at meetings), and needs on publicity can be discussed. Meetings are typically 1.5 to 2 hours long, and currently on Wednesdays. Main time is for actually doing the publicity officer role, and we currently only do a few events a year, which tend not to be in the winter months. There will be one or two projects a year to cover, as well as on-going items.

Where does this role take place?