Distribution Information Pack

Thank you for your interest in becoming a CommunityAd distributor.

To enquire about distributor opportunities at CommunityAd, provided you are over 18 years of age,  please make sure you download and read our distribution information pack below before completing our online application form.

Distribution Information Pack & Terms & Conditions

Please read the information below carefully.

In order to apply for a delivery round you will need to be:

• Reliable, trustworthy and motivated.
• Available on a monthly/bi-monthly basis.
• In good health and aged 18 years or above. There is no upper age restriction.
• Be able to pick up magazines and leaflets from Margate once a month. (Or be available for magazines to be dropped off at your address.)
• Have a smart phone or access to one so you can use the Round Control app (instructions will be provided to you separately) We provide a distribution route map detailing the area.
• You will need a rucksack, trolley or bag to carry the magazines around in during your round.

 Our current areas are: All of Kent, various areas of Essex, Sussex and Hampshire.

• Delivery of magazines usually fall around the same time every month.
• We use an app called Round Control. You will need to download this onto your phone. Training and guidance on this will be given.
• You will receive a telephone call, text message or email when the magazines and leaflets are ready for collection/delivery.
• You will either need to collect the magazines and leaflets from a location in Margate or we will arrange to drop them off to you.
• You will have 10 days to complete your delivery round(s).
• When you finish your delivery round you will need to send us your round control report.
• Your report will be verified and payment will be made via bank transfer.
• Payments will usually be made on the following Friday.
• If for any reason magazines or leaflets are left over, they should be returned to our office in Margate before any payment is made.
• If you have an established round and do not wish to continue, we will require one month’s notice in order to find suitable cover.
• If you are on holiday or unable to cover a particular month, we will need a minimum of one month’s notice and we will cover your round whilst you are away.
• We pay £0.08p per magazine delivered to each home. 1000 magazines will pay you £80 in total.
• This is a self-employed role so you are responsible for declaring your income from this work.
• A delivery round can consist of anything between 1000 and 3000 homes.
• Depending on your speed and fitness – on average it is possible to cover approximately 70 – 120 houses per hour.
• In addition to our magazines we may also have flyers to deliver alongside or inserted with the magazines. An additional £8.00 will be paid per 1000 leaflets (leaflets are not guaranteed each month).
• Leaflets must be entered separately into the magazines. Under no circumstance should you insert one leaflet inside another leaflet.
• If we find that the magazines have not been distributed correctly, we will seek to recover any payments made. This also applies if we find any magazines dumped and not distributed. We will seek to recover any payments made.
• When picking up your magazines/leaflets please check you have the correct magazines & correct leaflets for your round – any shortages must be reported immediately before you start your round. If out of office hours please call the number provided to you for out of hours enquiries. Please leave a clear message and we will call you back. If you have excessive left overs please return asap.

DOs & DON’Ts

• Do not deliver any other magazines, papers, leaflets, etc. when you are delivering CommunityAd magazines.
• Complete the round fully – deliver to all houses on all roads within the markings on your map (take your map with you). Please note down any problems in the Round Control App e.g. No Free Mail at house number 10 (this will help you remember for next time).
• Always be polite and courteous to members of the public
• Be respectful of all properties you visit. Do not walk across lawns/gardens (use paths) and shut all gates behind you.
• Ensure magazines are pushed completely though the letterbox fully and not left hanging out of the letterbox.
• Do not use excessive force to post the magazine through the letterbox.
• Do not leave magazines on the doorstep, gate or pathway – ensure you push fully through the letterbox.
• Do not leave a magazine on a doormat which will be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. Keep magazines and leaflets safe and dry at all times.
• Look out for mail boxes – use these rather than letterboxes.
• If a house states on their front door, no free papers or leaflets etc. do NOT deliver a magazine through the door.
• If a letterbox is not accessible do not leave any magazines or leaflets.
• If someone refuses the magazine or does not want it for whatever reason please do not give them one.
• Cover every letterbox you can find, including any businesses as well as homes.
• Deliver to flats if you can gain access to each letterbox. Do not leave magazines or leaflets in any communal areas (if you are unable to gain access to flats on your round, please ensure you inform us).
• If you are unable to deliver for any reason (illness, bad weather etc.) please let us know immediately. If out of hours call our mobile.
• Always be safe. If possible, when you are going out to undertake distribution leave a copy of the distribution route at home so someone knows where you are going and give an estimated time of return. Take your mobile phone with you.
• If you encounter any verbal abuse or feel unsafe when making deliveries, leave the area immediately and return to a safe location (e.g., home, shop). Report any abuse to us, and/or police if appropriate.
• NEVER enter anyone’s home.
• If you cannot find the front door/letter box do not go around the back of the house (just make a note that you had problems at that location).
• Do not accept any offers of help from anyone, especially from people you do not know. Never get into a car with anyone (even if they are offering to help).
• Please deliver during reasonable daylight hours where possible, preferably between the hours of 8am and 7pm.
• Never deliver in the dark and if dusk is approaching ensure you have appropriate light reflective clothing.
• All houses should be accessible from the roadside. Do not take short cuts through isolated or unknown areas.
• Do not use bicycles, skateboards or wear roller blades when delivering the magazines.
• Take extra care when crossing roads and ensure that you cross in safe places.
• Do not wear headphones when delivering as this makes it difficult to hear cars when crossing roads.
• Never carry more magazines than you feel comfortable with.
• Never run when making deliveries.
• Watch out for loose paving stones, potholes etc.
• Always hold any handrails when climbing steps.
• Take extra care in wet or icy conditions.
• Never put fingers into the letterbox (to avoid risk of injury if the letterbox snaps shut and to ensure there is no risk if dogs are present.)
• Take extra care where there are dogs. If the dog is loose in the front garden and you need to open a gate to gain entry into the garden do not deliver to this property. If you can hear/see a dog in the hallway when you are delivering Magazines – take extra care when pushing them though the letterbox.
• Any accidents must be reported to us as soon as possible.

HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR LIFTING AND DELIVERING WHAT IS A GOOD HANDLING TECHNIQUE

• Think before doing anything. Should you be doing the task at all? How heavy is the load? Where is it going? Can or should you carry it on your own? If you are going to lift a long vertical distance, e.g. from floor to shoulder, can you rest mid-way through the lift?
• Stand as close as possible to the load, placing the feet slightly apart to give a stable base. The leading leg should be placed as far forward as is comfortable.
• A good posture should be adopted by bending the knees and keeping the back straight. Do not however bend the knees too fully or kneel as this will reduce lifting power. The bend should be such that the hands when gripping the load are as near to waist level as possible. Grip the Load Firmly
• A secure grip is essential and a hook grip is less tiring than keeping the fingers straight. Where a change of grip is necessary it should be made as smoothly as possible.
• Raising the head, the lift should be as smooth as possible and fully controlled. Lift with the legs, maintaining good momentum, leverage and balance.
• Move the feet if a turning movement is necessary, keep the back straight and avoid twisting movements.
• Make the load part of the body by holding it as close as possible for as long as possible. Where a close approach to the load is not practicable try to slide it towards you before attempting to lift. Where this is not possible (e.g. unloading from the boot of a car) stand as close as possible. Bend the knees if possible and if not, brace the body by pressing the knees against a solid object. Bend at the hips keeping the head and back in a straight line. Lift gradually, using legs, buttocks and stomach muscles.
• Place the load with care putting the load down first on the edge of a surface.