celebrating 120 years of changing lives

1-5 Rushworth Street LondonSE1 0RB

Tel: 020 7928 9521 Fax: 020 7620 1409

JobProfile

Position:Community Connection Project Officer

Hours:21 p.w.

Salary:SC5/24 £24,580 (pro rata)

Reports to:Older Peoples Services Coordinator

Responsible for:Delivering a community connection project to engage isolated older people in the community

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Position in the Organisation

The Community ConnectionProject Officer is a member of the Older People’s Service within Blackfriars Settlement. The Service’s role is to engage with and support local older people through a mix of activities, outreach and volunteer one to one and telephone befriending service. This includes promoting independence and choices for older people in addition to initiatives for relieving isolation and ensuring the well-being of the individuals.

The emphasis is on supporting people to achieve their own outcomes, for improved health and well-being and to regain independence. The Community Connection Project Officer will work closely within this small team of 3 with the Befriending Service Officer and the Older People’s Service Co-ordinator to link the outreach/befriending project to enhance the existing befriending, social activity and well-being service.

Role Purpose

To lead on the development of the Community Connection project to support isolated older people to take first steps towards reducing isolation.

To identify appropriate community settings for the outreach project and to organise the programme of outreach sessions in these settings to connect with older people who are isolated.

Develop relationships with community based organisations to facilitate the outreach sessions and to support fundraising activity

To encourage older people to attend activities at BFS and other local providers and to attend the befriending service at BFS

To work closely with the Befriending Service Officer for volunteer recruitment and training and for a cohesive befriending service.

To develop a team of volunteers to support the outreach sessions in the community and to be befrienders/friends to support people to access activities.

Organise monthly drop-in sessions and activities

To work with partner organisations to promote the project and offer choice and accessibility to a wide range of activities in the community.

To ensure that service systems, policies and procedures are in place to ensure a high quality service provision.

Responsible for providing accurate records, appropriate auditable documents and monitoring reports, internally and to funders of the Community Connection Project

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Responsibilities

In common with all Settlement staff

To support the philosophy, aims and objectives of the Settlement

To ensure the best possible experience and outcomes for Settlement members

To work creatively with a range of different stakeholdersto enhance the work of the Settlement

To support collective responsibility, knowledge sharing and team working across the organisation

To promote and champion equality, diversity and inclusion

Particular to this post

1.ServiceDelivery

1.1.Responsible for recruiting and inducting volunteers to take part in the outreach sessions in the community in liaison with the Befriending Project Worker.

1.2.Responsible for organising regular quarterly steering group meetingswith the Older Peoples Service Coordinator and members of the Older Peoples Service

1.3.Responsible for identifying, arranging and booking outreach sessions in community settings including shopping centres, libraries, supermarkets, shops. Attend the outreach befriending sessions with volunteers.

1.4.In liaison with the Befriending Service Officer, recruit volunteers to help to deliver the programme.

1.5.Responsible for the management of the DropBy site and liaison with Mary Baker at DropBy.

1.6.Contribute to the database of skills and interests to match buddies and new members

1.7.Contribute to and update the Older Peoples Service library of information on activities and clubs for older people in the borough

1.8.Support older people to start their own groups, clubs and activity sessions in collaboration with the Older People Services Coordinator..

1.9.Plan and organise the monthly drop-in sessions including activities.

2.Administration

2.1.Responsible for the maintenance of accurate records of personal details, contacts and activity in line with Settlement guidelines and in line with existing systems in the Older People’s Service

2.2.To be responsible for maintaining documentation in line with funding body requirements and for providing monitoring information and written reports to the funding bodies for audit purposes and as required in line with existing monitoring systems in the Older People’s Service

  1. Fundraising
  2. To fundraise for additional income for the project and activities in liaison with the Older Peoples Service Manager
  1. Marketing and Promotion of Service
  2. Responsible for the promotion of the Community Connectionproject within the Settlement and externally, including outreach, social media and publicity in liaison with the Older Peoples Service Coordinator and Befriending Service Officer.

4.2.Contribute publicity to promote the outreach sessions as part of the wider Older People’s Service promotion and publicity.

4.3.Edit and update quarterly newsletter to inform the community of the outreach programme dates and locations in collaboration with the Older People’s Service newsletter and publicity

  1. Other Duties

5.1.To attend and participate in all Settlement staff meetings and events.

5.2.Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends

5.3.To attend regular supervision with the Older Peoples Service Coordinator and take part in the annual staff appraisal.

5.4.To undertake training and staff development as required.

5.5.To adhere to and implement all Settlement policies and procedures including Health & Safety, Safeguarding and Equality & Diversity.

5.6.To work on any of the existing or future Settlement designated places of work at any time during the calendar year as required

5.7.Such other duties of a similar nature which may be required from time to time

5.8.In order to undertake this role the post holder will require the relevant skills, knowledge and abilities to meet the following person specification.

Community Connection Project Officer

Person Specification

Qualifications

Knowledge, experience and abilities (Essential)
  1. A minimum of two years substantial experience of working directly with older people preferably with befriending and well-being planning
  1. A good understanding of the challenges and issues faced by a growing population of older people
  1. Experience of identifying, assessing and reviewing individuals’ needs.
  1. Strong administrative, organisational and resource management skills to ensure the smooth running of the project and to meet the information requirements of the Settlement and its funding bodies
  1. A high level of interpersonal skills and excellent communications skills both written and verbal
  1. Experience of working as part of a team
  1. A sound knowledge of information technology including MS Word, MS Excel and MS Outlook
  1. Good experience of liaising with a variety of statutory, voluntary and community organisations
  1. Good understanding of equality and diversity issues and practice

Desirable

  1. Knowledge and/or experience of peer support

2Understanding and knowledge of internet and social media

3Good local knowledge of Southwark borough