• Introducing CTA’s new series of online events

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    • Introducing CTA’s new series of online events
    • by Bill Freeman
      Chief Executive

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    Throughout lock-down, our online events, from our weekly member drop in calls to our Recovery and Restart webinar in July, have been great ways for members to connect with each other and the CTA team in what has been a challenging and uncertain time. Your feedback has been that you wanted to see more opportunities for online events looking at the important topics and issues facing the community transport sector at the moment.

    From October to December, CTA is holding a series of free online events looking at important topics for the community transport sector, and what life might look like for our members over the next few months and into 2021. It’s an uncertain time at the moment, so our programme will make sure we’re covering and adapting to the latest developments and making sure you have all the information you need to run your organisations and serve your communities safely, securely and sustainably.

    There are three types of events that we’re going to be running over the next few months: Good to Go, Big Questions, Big Ideas and Country Forums. 


    What to expect from the events

    Good to Go are smaller events, looking at practical issues such as what to consider when running socially distanced services, how to organise trips safely, and how schools can feel secure in using their vehicles. In these sessions, participants will all be visible and able to talk to each other and our team during the discussions.

    Our Big Questions, Big Ideas events are going to look at some of the key questions facing the community transport sector, and our expert speakers will explore some answers to these questions. These are webinar style events where you can  come along, bring your lunch, listen to interesting discussions as well as submit questions and talk to other community transport providers in Zoom’s chat function.

    We’ll be running a series of Country Forums, where our teams will be going through some of the specific issues that members are facing in the devolved nations.

    We’re also going to be running a number of funding application workshops, where organisations can join in and get help in putting together their funding applications.

    The events are free to attend, and you can book onto as many as you like. For some of the smaller events such as our Good to Go series, there may be a limit on attendance, so the places will be allocated on a first come first served basis and CTA members will be given priority.


    Your event programme

    Below you can find details of all the events we’re going to be running between now and the end of the year. Just click on the name of the event for more details.   

    October
    01 October Good to Go: How to Run School Transport
    09 October Good to Go: Starting Back Up – Technical Advice
    14 October Country Forum: Northern Ireland, Meet the Minister
    15 October Big Questions, Big Ideas: How has coronavirus affected how we serve and involve passengers in a safe and caring way?
    20 October Funding Application Write-Shop
    November
    05 November Big Questions, Big Ideas: Transport poverty – have things got worse, or is this an opportunity to help communities build better transport networks for all?
    10 November Funding Application Write-Shop
    18 November Country Form: Scotland, Meet the Head of Bus at Transport Scotland
    20 November Good to Go: Organising Trips Safely
    26 November Country Forum: Wales, Meet the Minister
    26 November Big Questions, Big Ideas: How do we continue to build up our volunteer base and inspire new volunteering opportunities?
    December
    01 December Funding Application Write-Shop
    10 December Big Questions, Bid Ideas: What lessons have we learned in 2020 that will make our transport networks more sustainable for the future.

    Book your place

    To book your place on any of our events, click on the links below. All events will be recorded and made available if you’re not able to attend. If you’ve got any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at events@ctauk.org and remember, you can still find all our coronavirus guidance at ctauk.org/covid19-guidance.


    Event Details


    Good to Go: How to Run School Transport

    01 October | 11:00 – 12:00

    Join our advice team for a session looking at what schools need to consider when it comes to using their minibuses. We’ll be covering the operational aspects of running your own minibuses as well as what you’ll need to do differently to make them safe in the current environment. This is an interactive session where you’ll be able to share your experiences, ideas and questions with speakers and participants, so spaces are limited.

    Book your place now

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    Good to Go: Starting Back Up – Technical Advice

    09 October | 11:00 – 12:00

    This session will cover the key things you need to consider when re-starting your services. Our advice team will be looking at issues including managing risk, cleaning procedures, the latest guidance around social distancing along with a recap of vehicle maintenance and driver licensing requirements. This is an interactive session where you’ll be able to share your experiences, ideas and questions with speakers and participants, so space is limited.

    Book your place now

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    Country Forum: Northern Ireland – Meet the Minister

    14 October | 11:00 – 12:00

    CTA Members in Northern Ireland are invited to participate in a webinar with Nichola Mallon DfI Minister. The Minister will share her vision for community transport and there will be an opportunity for you to ask the Minister questions. If you have a question or if there is a topic you would like to address please send your ideas and questions to events@ctauk.org by 12th October.

    Book your place now

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    Big Questions, Big Ideas: How has coronavirus affected how we serve and involve passengers in a safe and caring way?

    15 October | 12:30 – 13:15

    Accessibility, safety and care for people with additional needs are at the very heart of community transport. As we begin to re-start services and welcome people back on board, our panel of speakers will be looking at how to support passengers with additional needs in a way that prioritises their safety and the safety of staff and volunteers. The session will also be looking at the importance of making sure that passengers who have additional needs are involved in making the decisions that affect them. This event is a webinar, so bring your lunch, listen to some interesting discussions and get involved by submitting questions and talking to other community transport providers in Zoom’s chat function.

    Book your place now

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    Big Questions, Big Ideas: Transport poverty – have things got worse, or is this an opportunity to help communities build better transport networks for all?

    05 November | 12:30 – 13:15

    In this session, our panel of speakers from across the third sector will be looking at what transport poverty looks like, how it affects different groups in society and the impact of coronavirus on the transport landscape. They’ll be exploring the idea of how the pandemic can act as a catalyst for change, and how community transport can get involved in the conversations around building back better and changing the way our transport system is run. This event is a webinar, so bring your lunch, listen to some interesting discussions and get involved by submitting questions and talking to other community transport providers in Zoom’s chat function.

    Book your place now

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    Country Forums Scotland: Meet the Head of Bus at Transport Scotland

    18 November | 12:30 – 13:15 

    CTA Members in Scotland are invited to participate in a webinar with Tom Davy, Head of Bus and Concessionary Travel Policy at Transport Scotland. Tom will be sharing his thoughts and ideas for community transport in Scotland, and there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions. If you have a question or if there is a topic you would like to address please send your ideas and questions to events@ctauk.org.

    Book your place now

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    Good to Go: Organising Trips Safely

    20 November | 11:00 – 12:00

    For community transport providers, re-starting services means thinking about running trips to the shops, days out and other journeys into the community that so many people rely on. In this session, the CTA advice team will be looking at how to adapt your risk management strategy, along with new infection control measures, to help you in organising your trips safely and in a COVID-secure environment. This is an interactive session where you’ll be able to share your experiences, ideas and questions with speakers and participants, so space is limited.

    Book your place now

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    Country Forum: Wales – Meet the Minister

    26 November | 10:00 – 11:30 

    Join the team in Wales for this event where we’ll be hearing from the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, Lee Waters MS and looking at how we can engage members and their vison for the future. If you would like to submit a question for the Deputy Minister in advance, please email dylan@ctauk.org.

    Book your place now

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    Big Questions, Big Ideas: How do we continue to build our volunteer base and inspire new volunteering opportunities?

    26 November | 12:30 – 13:15

    Volunteers are at the very heart of the community transport sector. At the height of lock-down, people all across the UK stepped up to help their communities through a difficult time, and their dedication, passion and commitment was on clear display in the work of our members. As community transport services get back up and running, our panel will be looking at how we can capitalise on new opportunities for volunteers and encourage more people to volunteer and get involved with their work. This event is a webinar, so bring your lunch, listen to some interesting discussions and get involved by submitting questions and talking to other community transport providers in Zoom’s chat function.

    Book your place now

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    Big Questions, Big Ideas: What lessons have we learned in 2020 that will make transport networks more sustainable for the future?

    10 December | 12:30 – 13:15

    2020 has been an incredibly challenging year, with everyone facing obstacles and difficulties that no one was expecting. As we look back and reflect on what’s happened during the last year, our panel will be sharing their thoughts on the lessons we can take forward into 2021. How can we use the experience of lock-down and the coronavirus pandemic to build a sector that is stronger, more sustainable and resilient? We’ll be answering these questions and looking at how we can use what we’ve learned to continue serving the people that rely on our sector the most. This event is a webinar, so bring your lunch (or a mince pie!), listen to some interesting discussions and get involved by submitting questions and talk to other community transport providers in Zoom’s chat function.

    Book your place now

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    Funding Application Write-Shops

    Alongside these events, we’re also going to be holding a series of funding ‘write-shops’. These online sessions will be an opportunity for anyone involved with fundraising, including coordinators, volunteers and trustees, to come together and discuss any applications you’re working on. It’s a space to share ideas about which funders to approach and the experiences you’ve had when applying for funding in the past. You’ll also be able to ask other members for feedback on ideas that you have or discuss anything that you’re unsure about.

    The events will be held on zoom from 11:00 – 12:00 on:

    • Tuesday 20 October
    • Tuesday 10 November
    • Tuesday 01 December

    If you’re interested in taking part in the write-shops, you can email advice@ctauk.org for more details.

    Back to programme


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