Much-loved rail charity the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF) have today launched their first ever ‘Ambassador Month.’ Throughout September, the charity will be celebrating the work of RBF volunteer ambassadors and raising awareness of the real difference they make within the rail industry
During Ambassador Month RBF will also be launching a campaign to recruit 100 Ambassadors by the end of the year.
What is an RBF Ambassador?
An RBF Ambassador is somebody who is passionate about helping their fellow rail worker and wants to get involved and do their bit for the industry they love. The RBF Ambassadors help to fulfil the aims of RBF by being representatives for RBF at stations, depots and offices across the rail industry. They play a crucial part in spreading awareness of the charity and how RBF can help support people working in rail.
What does an Ambassador do?
The voluntary role has one main focus – to help spread the word about the support on offer at RBF. The RBF ask that Ambassadors commit just an hour of their time each month to do any of the following:
- Sharing their campaigns and messages with colleagues and internal HR and Comms teams
- Putting up posters around stations, staff rooms and communal areas
- Circulating brochures and information on RBF events
- Being their eyes and ears on the ground in your organisation
- Informing RBF of any events or wellbeing days that they can attend
- Referring any colleagues to RBF that you think might need help
- Getting involved in activities to help raise funds for the charity.
Support the Railway Family and become an RBF Ambassador
Anyone working in rail can become an RBF Ambassador, from ticket retailers, station managers, on board assistants, to engineers, planners and human resources. Whether you work within train operating companies, freight companies or rail supply organisations- you and your colleagues can make a difference. Just by being involved and spreading the word, ambassadors are helping families to access RBF support when they need it most.
The RBF currently has 70 ambassadors working at companies such as Avanti West Coast, Merseyrail, Network Rail and more. However, RBF ambassadors are currently under-represented in the North East, South West and East Midlands and RBF are looking for more representatives in these areas.
Kevin Campbell and Maria Marchant are a couple who both work for Southeastern and recently became RBF Ambassadors.
Kevin and Maria said “Having been on the railway for almost 40 years between us and working with some incredibly kind and caring people, we feel that the RBF is the ideal charity for rail staff to support. We became Ambassadors to show our support not just for the RBF but also for each and every member of rail staff, past or present.”
Interested in becoming an RBF Ambassador and doing your bit to support the Railway Family? Sign up on the RBF website: www.railwaybenefitfund.org.uk/how-you-can-help/rbf-ambassadors Or email [email protected]
