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Communications & Engagement Officer - Changes EL
Job Title: Befriending Coordinator
Hours and term: 35 hours, fixed term 3 years (job share considered)
Pay scale and salary: £27,514 pro rata (SCP 46)
35 days annual leave (pro rata), inclusive of public holidays
Reports to: Project Manager
Job Overview:
Changes are excited to have secured further funding from the National Lottery Fairer Lives Community Fund to continue our successful ‘Well Connected’ befriending programme supporting positive mental health and wellbeing. The befriending coordinated will be responsible for all aspects of the project. The postholder will set up an East Lothian network for befriending services to ensure the project is following best practice and sharing knowledge across the county.They will host an advisory group to ensure the project aims are driven by the desires and demands of the community.
This role is continuing and building on an existing project, growing ideas and further establishing what we offer. We are seeking an enthusiastic, highly motivated candidate who is confident working with a high degree of autonomy.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
* One-to-one befriending
* Group befriending activities
* Set up and lead on a Befriending Advisory Group to ensure community members drive the direction of the project
* Facilitate initial training for befrienders and befriendees
* Match participants to form befriending partnerships
* Provide ongoing support to befriendees
•Oversee the recruitment, induction, support and supervision of a diverse team of volunteer befrienders
•Undertake PVG checks for all volunteer befrienders
• Work with the Project Manager / Volunteer Recruitment Officer with general volunteer recruitment and support within Changes, to ensure a consistent approach and experience for all volunteers
* Coordinate and deliver regular training activities for befrienders
* Coordinate and facilitate befriending events and activities
* Adhere to (and update) any guidelines for befrienders volunteers and befriendees
* Ensure all relevant policies, procedures and risk assessments are in place for befriending activities, creating new documents as required.
* Design and maintain monitoring and evaluation systems
* Prepare regular written and verbal progress reports for Changes Management, Board of Trustees and funders
* Work collaboratively with a wide range of individuals and organisations to identify referral and signposting routes, setting up and East Lothian Befriending Network to share best practice
* Maintain the Quality in Befriending Award through input from Befriending Networks
* Work closely with the Project Manager to ensure that the outcomes of the project are achieved
* Seek out and secure funding opportunities to ensure the continuation of the programme
* Attend and actively participate in Changes team meetings and other relevant meetings as required.
* Take an active role in building and maintaining healthy working relationships within the team.
* Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by Changes Management to meet service needs.
* Community Development/Education qualification
* Mental Health or other related certificate/training
* Volunteer management/supervision training
* Experience of recruiting and supervising volunteers effectively
* Experience of working with a diverse group of people
* Experience of leading on/coordinating projects
* Experience of building good relationships (preferably within a community context)
* Experience of recording information for reporting purposes
* Understanding of confidentiality and safeguarding practices
* Experience of adhering to organisational policies and procedures
* Knowledge of mental health and potential challenges people may face when accessing services
* Experience using a range of evaluation tools
* Experience designing and/or delivering training
* Ability to communicate with a range of people; clients, volunteers, colleagues and other organisations
* Strong time management skills, and ability to organise and prioritise own workload effectively with competing priorities
* Knowledge of local area and activities within the community
* Positive attitude and enthusiasm
* Confident working with a high degree of autonomy within a busy, supportive team
* Commitment to Changes values of compassion, welcoming and community and drive to ensure these are embodied within teamwork and service provision
* Commitment to, and experience of, promoting equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice
* Ability to demonstrate a resilient approach, adopting and modelling strategies for managing workload, maintaining appropriate boundaries and promoting self-care.
* Willingness to carry out other tasks that the organisation requires, not always directly related to the project
* Competent Microsoft user (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Word).
* Competent in use of video conferencing (Teams, Zoom, etc)
* Familiarity using databases
Other requirements
* Willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends as required
* Available to work remotely and within Changes premises depending on the needs of the service
* PVG check for vulnerable adults will be carried out
* Committed to undertaking continued professional development
* Driver’s license and access to a car (due to the need to travel across East Lothian to facilitate befriending matches)
Changes Equalities statement:
“Changes strive to ensure fair and inclusive services which celebrate and value the diversity of the community of East Lothian. Changes welcome opportunities to improve equality, diversity and inclusion within the organisation and we will continue to review our progress and champion equalities.”
About Changes
Changes believes in positive mental health and wellbeing for everyone. As a charity in East Lothian, Changes is here to help the community achieve and maintain positive mental health and wellbeing by providing a wide range of services and activities including 1-1 therapy, support groups and courses, healthy living activities, training, and volunteering opportunities.
Services are free and open to everyone over the age of 18 living, or registered with a GP, in East Lothian. Changes provides support for a wide range of challenges including stress, panic, low mood, low self-esteem, anxiety, worry, depression, and negative thinking. Activities are friendly, welcoming, and inclusive and offer opportunities to meet new people, get active and get involved in the local community.
Our Vision:
Our vision is that everyone in East Lothian enjoys positive mental health and wellbeing.
Our Mission:
Changes have grown from within the community to enable people to achieve and maintain good mental health and wellbeing through:
* Support groups and courses
* Therapy from experienced therapists as well as therapists in training
* Healthy living activities
* Training our community to support others
Our Values:
Compassion – We treat our work, our community, our partners and each other with warmth, respect and compassion.
Welcoming – We offer a warm, friendly and supportive welcome to everyone. We know it’s not always easy to ask for help but we’re here to support you.
Community – We are an inclusive community which celebrates and values the diversity of East Lothian and everyone living there.
How to apply
For an informal chat about the role, contact Kelly Thacker,Development Manager by calling 0131 653 3977 or by emailing kelly@changeseastlothian.org
To apply please submit a CV and tailored covering letter, outlining your ability to carry out the role (based on the requirements detailed in the person specification) and return to info@changeseastlothian.org
The closing date for applications is Sunday 29 th June at 5pm with interviews taking place on Tuesday 8 th July.
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
* Employment type
Full-time
* Industries
Mental Health Care
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