Job vacancy: Befriending Coordinator (Mid-Nottinghamshire)

Join our team as a Befriending Coordinator and help tackle loneliness & social isolation amongst older neighbours.

Role Description and Person Specification

Job title: Befriending Coordinator (Mid-Notts)

Contract type: 1 year fixed-term contract (with the possibility for extension, funding dependent)

Reporting to: Programme Manager

Hours: 22.5 hours per week

Salary: £14,040 pa

How to apply: Send a CV and covering letter outlining why you would be a good fit for this role to info@letsbfriend.org.uk with the subject line: Befriending Coordinator Application

Application deadline: 5th July 2024

Interviews to take place: 9, 10, 11 July 2024

Job purpose:

As a Befriending Coordinator, you have the extraordinary opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of isolated older neighbours in Nottinghamshire. Your role is not just about coordinating and managing volunteers, but about creating connections that bring warmth, friendship, and joy to those who need it most. By pairing volunteers with older individuals, organising vibrant social club sessions, and building relationships with stakeholders, you will combat social isolation and contribute to the overall wellbeing and connectedness of our community. Your dedication and commitment will empower older individuals to rediscover the joy of human connection, making a lasting difference in their lives. Together, we can inspire hope, restore happiness, and create a future where no one feels alone.

b:friend welcomes applications from all candidates irrespective of age, pregnancy and maternity, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, or marital or civil partnership status.

Job description:

The responsibilities of the role includes:

• Pair and manage volunteer befrienders with isolated older neighbours in Nottinghamshire
• Create and manage volunteers and pairings in other geographic areas in England and Wales
• Identify suitable locations for b:friend social clubs in Nottinghamshire
• Plan and deliver at least two b:friend Social Clubs per week
• Develop day-to-day relationships with key stakeholders and referral pathways in Nottinghamshire
• Build strong network of contacts locally and ensure the charity is strategically contributing to health and social care working groups
• Administer accurate registers and records which track attendance, interactions, surveys, relationships and group activities along with demographic data
• Perform outreach in the community (online and offline) allowing b:friend to reach individuals most needing befriending support and recruit new volunteers
• Provide Social Club cover where needed
• Manage project budgets and writing monitoring reports where required
• Assist wider b:friend coordinating fundraising and engagement initiatives

General responsibilities:

• Work across the b:friend team and assist in all areas of work. Coordinate and attend internal and external meetings and events
• Contribute to the general administrative running of b:friend
• Adhere to and promote b:friend’s organisational values
• Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as they may arise, develop or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position
• Maintain and improve competencies through continuous professional development
• Abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practices
• Support and promote inclusion, diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace.
• Treat with confidentiality any personal, private or sensitive information about individual organisations and or beneficiary or staff and project data

Expectations:

The annual performance targets for this specific role include (but are not limited to):

• 48x befriending pairings created in Nottinghamshire
• Deliver two weekly Social Club sessions.
• Complete surveys with each older neighbour matched with a volunteer befriender at key milestones
• Keep accurate records of all interactions with volunteers and older neighbours.
• Identify & refer local funding opportunities to the Fundraising Manager
• Monthly 1:1 review meeting with line manager (opportunity for impact updates and support)

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria:

• Empathy and Interpersonal Skills: Ability to build and maintain relationships with older neighbours, volunteers, and key stakeholders. Demonstrated empathy and understanding towards the needs and concerns of isolated older neighbours.
• Organisational Skills: Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise workload, and meet targets and deadlines effectively.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of support needs.
• Networking and Relationship Building: Proven ability to establish and maintain a strong network of contacts within the local community and contribute to health and social care working groups.
• Initiative and Problem Solving: Ability to work independently, take initiative, and proactively address challenges or obstacles that arise in the befriending programme.
• IT Skills: Basic proficiency in IT systems
• Data Management: Proficiency in maintaining accurate records, registers, and databases to track attendance, interactions, surveys, relationships, and group activities whilst adhering to data protection laws and policies.
• Flexibility: Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends when required to provide social club cover and participate in community outreach activities.
• Commitment to the Organisation’s Mission: Strong alignment with the mission and values of b:friend, and a genuine interest in supporting isolated older neighbours in the community.
• Full driving license with access to a car
• Commitment to Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience: Previous experience in coordinating and managing volunteer programmes, preferably in a befriending or community support setting.
• Knowledge of the Social Care Sector: Familiarity with the social care sector, including relevant policies, procedures, and referral pathways.
• Fundraising Experience: Experience in coordinating fundraising initiatives, identifying funding opportunities, and supporting engagement activities. Experience in budget management and writing of monitoring reports.
• IT Skills: Basic proficiency in using online tools and platforms for community outreach and communication purposes. Particularly G-Suite and Microsoft applications.

Note: The above person specification outlines the desired qualities, skills, and experience for the role of Befriending Coordinator. Applicants should address these criteria in their application and demonstrate how they meet the essential requirements.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: £14,040.00 per year

Expected hours: 22.5 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Flexitime
• Monday to Friday
• No weekends

Application question(s):

• Do you have a full driving license and access to a car?

Location:

• Nottinghamshire (required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 05/07/2024