Ageing Well Engagement Worker

Cirencester

Place of work:    Cirencester Office

Reporting to:     AW Service Coordinator 

We are seeking a friendly and engaging Ageing Well (AW) Engagement Worker to join our small team supporting older people in Cirencester and the surrounding villages.

The role will suit someone who has previous experience of supporting people who may be vulnerable or isolated and of working with volunteers. You should have experience of working with older people, people living with dementia, carers, or those who are recently bereaved.  

The Churn Project is an independent charity working for the past 22 years in Cirencester and the surrounding villages. In 2021/22, we supported over 1300 people to reduce isolation and loneliness, improve wellbeing, learn new skills, and feel part of their community. Our vision is that all people should be included, involved and invested in their community, feel supported and valued and given the opportunity to achieve their potential.

THE ROLE

The Ageing Well Engagement Worker will offer individual (1:1) support to older people who are lonely, isolated, or going through changes in life such as bereavement or health issues, using a strengths-based approach to ensure people feel valued, connected, and included. Your engagement work will help people to feel more resilient and valued.

You will manage ‘Good Neighbours’, our volunteer befriending service, processing referrals, liaising with partner agencies and linking volunteer befrienders with older people in the community. You will offer ongoing support and guidance to ensure a successful relationship develops between service user and volunteer.

You will support with the delivery of groups and activities for older people, including our weekly friendship café, a memory café and regular trips to local attractions.

You should thrive in a collaborative working environment and enjoy engaging with older people, partner agencies and others to ensure we continue to meet the needs of older people in our community.

Older People

• Provide individual (1:1) support to older people, ensuring people feel supported and valued.
• Connect people to their communities.
• Signpost and refer to other agencies.
• Recruit, train and support volunteer befrienders.
• Process service user referrals, including contact with referral agency (if needed) to discuss suitability of referral. Provide feedback to referrers.
• Maintain accurate, up to date records of clients and volunteers.
• Keep records of all service user contact, interventions, and visits.
• Proactively research, explore and review the needs of older people locally to develop creative and responsive services.

General Churn work:

• The role will involve some travel around Cirencester and surrounding areas.
• As part of the team, contribute to the overall success of the Churn.
• Work with Churn Project team to accurately represent our services to supporters.
• Produce reports as required.
• Undergo Safeguarding Training.
• Be responsible for own health and safety at work in line with the projects health and safety policy.
• Be flexible about providing support and cover for colleagues as needed.
• Attend team meetings and events.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications

• A general or technical education at and beyond GCSE level, usually BTEC, NVQ Level 2 or equivalent, alongside a minimum of 5 GCSE at Grade 5 and above (or equivalent)  D
• Dementia training   D

Knowledge, Skills, Experience

• Awareness and understanding of the needs of older people or experience of working with vulnerable groups E
• Experiencing of managing volunteers   D
• Considerable experience of providing individual support (1:1 support) to vulnerable people  E
• Good interpersonal skills and evidence of the ability to engage effectively with volunteers and service users   E
• Experience of supporting older people with dementia and their carers D
• Experience of supporting groups and activities for older people D
• Good level of IT skills  E
• Understanding of Safeguarding Adults and The Care Act 2014 E
• Good level of written and verbal communication skills  E
• An understanding and commitment to Equality and Diversity E

Personal Qualities

• Understanding of the needs of vulnerable people and the ability to work in a strengths-based way E
• Self-motivated with the ability to work on own initiative  E
• Deadline & outcome focused with good organisational and time management skills E
• Ability to travel around Cirencester and surrounding area E
• Non-judgemental and inclusive approach E

TO APPLY:

We prefer that you apply via application form which can be requested via email by clicking on Apply Now or call the number in the contact details. We accept CVs only if they are accompanied by a supporting letter which clearly explains how you meet the requirements of the role and the person specification. 

Conditions of Employment

• 33 days annual leave (FTE) per year including public holidays
• 21 hours per week
• Monday to Wednesday with occasional evening and weekend events. Working pattern to be discussed at interview.
• 6-month probation period
• All our roles are subject to a clear enhanced DBS check
• Auto enrolment into pension after 3 months
• Simply Health employee assistance scheme

Salary: £25,223.00pa FTE

Hours Per Week: 21 hours per week (Monday to Wednesday)

To Apply simply click the 'Apply Now' button below and complete the online form including attaching an up-to-date CV.