An exciting opportunity exists for a Befriending Support Officer to work with a dynamic team at MVA. Are you a caring and compassionate person? Would you like to help make a difference to people’s lives?

If the answer is yes then we are recruiting for a new Befriending Support Officer to join our thriving and widely respected Befriending Team. If successful, you’ll be joining a team of staff and volunteers who have helped over 1000 local residents to become less lonely and more connected to their community. Are you the person who can help us support the next 1000 socially isolated and lonely local people?

MVA is an organisation that has historically provided Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) support to the myriad of local charities in Medway alongside a training offer. We have provided a seedbed for a number of small charities over the years before launching those charities to independence. We also host a volunteer network. MVA played a pivotal role during the Covid-19 Pandemic in bringing together Voluntary and Community Sector organisations to work together during this time; we have also facilitated relationship building between the VCS and the Statutory sector. We are well placed now to continue to focus on MVA’s sustainability and growth, whilst also continuing to support and work with the VCS to strengthen its capacity and resilience going forward.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated individual, preferably with experience of working with people. An understanding or experience of working in the voluntary sector will be helpful but not necessary.

Befriending Support Officer Role Details

Hours: 18.5 hours a week

Salary: £23,100 (pro-rata) Temporary - fixed term until 31st March 2023 with potential for extension

Based at: MVA, 5a New Road Avenue, Chatham , ME4 6BB

Closing date: 6th June 12pm

Interviews: Dates to be confirmed

For an informal discussion about this post please contact Jane Howard, CEO on 01634 812 850, mobile 07885 578 370 or email jane@mva.org.uk.

Please apply with a CV, and a letter of application (no longer than 2 sides of A4) that demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the Person Specification contained within the Job Description and an outline of any relevant experience.

Aims Of The Role

To promote the befriending service; recruit, induct, train and supervise community befriending volunteers; to work with Befriending members to deliver support and engagement activities and to support the development of community-led Befriending volunteering and initiatives.

Responsibilities

Recruitment, induction, management and on-going Support of Community Volunteers

1. Recruit, train and support volunteers from a diverse range of communities (including supported volunteers who have additional support needs) to provide appropriate support to socially isolated people.

2. Support the Befriending Programme Manager in ensuring the safety of members (service users), volunteers and staff through ongoing management of risk in all aspects of services

3. Develop volunteer recruitment campaigns and where appropriate, work in collaboration with other agencies including volunteer recruitment agencies.

4. Ensure that prospective community volunteers are provided with relevant information about the project and are fully supported throughout their involvement.

5. Provide induction and agree initial and on-going training needs and source suitable training opportunities in liaison with MVA and partner organisations

6. Support and supervise each volunteer throughout their placement

7. Identify, support and oversee training and development needs/delivery of community volunteers

8. Make initial home visits to introduce the service to members (service users) and make basic assessments of service users needs.

9. Match volunteers with members (service users)

10. Identify group volunteering gaps in specified areas of Medway; creating and maintaining new opportunities to fill those gaps e.g. coffee mornings, etc.

Promotion, quality assurance, monitoring and reporting

1. Provide information and guidance about Befriending volunteering opportunities in Medway to individuals and organisations.

2. Undertake activities to promote befriending and volunteer recruitment - including attending events, advertising and PR opportunities.

3. Undertake quality assurance checks and take responsibility for the volunteers’ complaints process.

4. With the support of the Befriending Manager, to undertake risk assessments of each new member (service user) as required and carry out basic health and safety check in areas that volunteers are to be placed

5. Engage with national and local volunteering promotional activities (e.g. Volunteers Week, Befriending Week) and new trends and initiatives (e.g. micro-volunteering)

6. To be responsible for monitoring and reporting of Community Befriending activity and to prepare reports and statistics for the Befriending Manager as required.

7. To work closely with the Befriending and Support Officer, covering duties as and when required.

8. Maintain records of volunteers, service users and relevant contacts as per the project requirements.

General

1. To work within the framework defined by the MVA Equal Opportunities, Safeguarding and Health and Safety Policies

2. To attend support and supervision sessions with your line manager

3. To attend training relevant to the role and agreed with your line manager

4. To perform additional duties that fall within the scope of your role as delegated by your line manager or the Chief Executive

5. Work with the Engagement Volunteering Officer to maximise opportunities to meet outcomes