Job Title: Befriending Support Worker
Responsible to: Befriending Co-ordinator
Salary: £21,439 (pro rata £18,376) + contribution to company work place
Pension
Hours: 30 hours per week Monday - Friday, flexible to meet the requirements of the job including occasional evenings and weekend work. There will be no additional payment for overtime or unsociable hours but time off in lieu will be given for hours worked in excess of contracted hours.
The Organisation
Utheo Ltd is a voluntary organisation responsible for the management and operation of the Orbiston Neighbourhood Centre in Bellshill. The Centre provides a range of services that seek to address issues of social deprivation and improve the quality of life for people most in need.
Main Purpose of Job
You will join our small, dedicated and successful befriending team to support the work of the project with 1:1 befriending visits, telephone befriending calls and weekly group activities. You will also assist with office administration, recruiting and supporting volunteers and matches and assessing and supporting befriendee referrals.
Location
The post will be based within the premises of the Orbiston Neighbourhood Centre in Bellshill.
Job Activities
1. Assist the Befriending Co-ordinator and Befriending Support Worker with the development and administration of the BeFriend in Bellshill project to support older and disabled adults who are lonely and isolated in the local community and develop the project in conjunction with partner organisations.
2. Assist with 1:1 befriending visits, telephone befriending calls and group work.
3. Support the co-ordinator in the recruitment, assessment and matching of volunteers in the project in accordance with the organisations recruitment process.
4. Support the co-ordinator in the assessment of befriendee referrals and ongoing supporting of befriendees.
5. Assist the befriending support worker with ongoing support and supervision to group volunteers and attendees to enable them to receive maximum benefit from the project.
6. Office administration work (both manual and electronic).
7. Represent Orbiston Neighbourhood Centre and the befriending project within the Bellshill and Coatbridge Locality of North Lanarkshire.
8. To undertake other duties in relation to the effective operation of the BeFriend in Bellshill project as may be deemed necessary by the Befriending Coordinator, Operations Manager and/or Board of Directors.
9. To assist with the long-term development and sustainability of the project in line with the organisations aims and objectives.
10. To help ensure the project is implemented with due regard for the health and safety and equal opportunities policy, including maintenance and a clean and tidy environment.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POST:
• Experience of administrative and office procedures
• Competent office IT skills (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, email, social media)
• Good telephone manner and excellent communication skills
• Experience of working with the general public
• Clear thinker with a positive, adaptable and flexible approach
• Good organisational skills with ability to work on own initiative and prioritise workloads
• Friendly person with a caring and compassionate nature
• A commitment to personal development and undertaking of relevant training
• A commitment to equal opportunities in principle and in practice
• Ability to remain confidential and discreet
• Experience of working in groups
DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POST:
• Experience of working in the voluntary sector or a community environment
• Knowledge or experience of befriending, its purpose and boundaries
• Experience of working with older adults, adults with learning difficulties, special needs and disabilities
• Good networking, interpersonal and presentation skills
• A flexible attitude to working in a small organisation
• Some experience of providing training
• Experience of monitoring, evaluation and budgeting project work
• Outgoing and confident personality
• Driver with access to own car