Job Description
Salary – £15,519 (£25,865 FTE)
Tenure – Permanent
Location – Hybrid to be agreed
Working Hours – 21 hours per week
Start Date – ASAP
Annual Leave – 35 days including bank holidays pro-rated to hours worked.
Hours: Part-time, 21 hours per week
JOB PURPOSE:
The main purpose of this role is two fold:-
* Volunteer Recruitment, Training & Development (Vale-wide) The Postholder will recruit, train and support volunteers across the entire Vale of Glamorgan, ensuring a strong, diverse and well-supported volunteer team delivering a range of Good Neighbour activities.
* Client Support & Community Development (Western Vale) You will also support older people living in the Western Vale by identifying unmet needs, matching them with volunteers, and developing volunteer-led solutions that strengthen community support.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Volunteer Recruitment & Management (Vale-wide)
* Recruit 30 volunteers per year across befriending, shopping, transport, practical help, admin, and engagement roles.
* Recruit volunteers across the Vale to ensure county-wide coverage.
* Identify service gaps and design volunteer roles.
* Ensure all support remains volunteer-led.
Client Support & Community Engagement (Western Vale)
* Assess the needs of older people referred from the central point-of-contact team.
* Match clients with suitable volunteers and ensure safe, appropriate support.
* Provide advice, information and signposting where needed.
* Work closely with the colleague covering the rest of the Vale to ensure consistency and shared learning.
Promotion, Outreach & Awareness
* Deliver promotional campaigns to increase volunteer numbers and community awareness.
* Attend at least 12 community events per year to promote the scheme.
Volunteer Experience, Engagement & Retention
* Plan volunteer seminars, social events and online engagement sessions.
* Keep volunteers informed through newsletters, updates and social media.
* Encourage volunteer feedback through surveys, reviews and informal check-ins.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Digital Improvement
* Track recruitment, retention and engagement using Volunteero.
* Monitor diversity, accessibility and inclusion across the volunteer team.
* Analyse feedback and data to identify improvements.
* Use insights to refine the volunteer journey and strengthen the scheme.
Administration, Compliance & Other Duties
* Manage a small project budget responsibly.
* Maintain accurate, confidential records in line with organisational policies.
* Follow safeguarding, data protection and health & safety requirements.
* Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Service Manager.
* Adapt to changes in community need, volunteer availability or service priorities.
This role is twofold and Age Connects Cardiff & the Vale is looking for a Western Vale Good Neighbours Scheme Manager to manage:
* Vale wide volunteer recruitment, training and development, where they will be responsible for recruiting, training and supporting volunteers across the entire Vale of Glamorgan, ensuring a strong, diverse and well-supported volunteer team delivering a range of Good Neighbour activities
* Client support and community development, supporting older people living in the Western Vale by identifying unmet needs, matching them with volunteers and developing volunteer led solutions that strengthen community support.
Ideally we are looking for an individual with experience of working with older people, volunteers, community groups or service users with a clear understanding of the needs and experiences of older adults. However, we are also interested in talking to you if you meet some of the above criteria and the ability to learn quickly.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following skills, experience and personal qualities. Shortlisting will be based on how well applicants meet these criteria.
ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES
* Experience of working with older people, volunteers, community groups or service users, or a clear understanding of the needs and experiences of older adults and a willingness to learn quickly.
* Experience of supporting individuals in a community-based or outreach setting, ideally including older people.
* Experience of recruiting, training or supporting volunteers or staff.
* Experience of managing sensitive, complex or emotional situations with empathy and professionalism, particularly when supporting older adults.
* Experience of partnership working with local organisations, community groups or statutory services.
* Experience of using digital systems, calendars and databases.
* Strong communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with older people who may be isolated, anxious or unsure where to turn.
* Ability to assess client needs and match them appropriately with volunteers, ensuring safe and appropriate support for older adults.
* Confident in planning, organising and prioritising a varied workload across multiple locations.
* Ability to work independently while coordinating effectively with colleagues covering other parts of the Vale and the central point-of-contact team.
DESIRABLE COMPETENCIES
* Experience of managing or coordinating a community project.
* Experience of delivering outreach, engagement or promotional activities.
* Experience of producing social media content or community-facing communications.
APPLICATION PROCESS
There is no closing date for applications. Applications will be shortlisted on receipt of completed application form.
The application form must be fully completed as they form part of the shortlisting process.
Initial interview via Teams or Zoom.
You will be asked to provide proof of the Right to Work in the UK before the interview takes place, If successful at first interview you will be asked to attend a second interview which will take place at V21 Sbectrwm, Bwlch Rd, Fairwater, Cardiff, CF5 3EF
Due to the nature of the work the successful candidate will be required to pass a standard DBS check as well as provide the contact details of two referees, one of which must be your most recent employer.