Befriending jobs in london
Project Background
Come and join our award-winning place-based volunteering programme that works with residents living across Hackney and the City of London.
You will be based out in the community - the programme is based at GP practices - to engage, support and enable local residents and patients to deliver local services for themselves, to meet local needs. We support residents to come together, to share their skills and experience for the benefit of each other, to deliver local groups and activities such as a book group, film club, exercise classes or cooking group. Residents from diverse backgrounds and demographics attend these activities together and make new connections, building strong local communities, all working together to make their area a better place to live. People, many of whom are isolated across all ages, and who have difficult life circumstances, are brought together, providing each other with mutual support and encouragement to develop new skills and pursue life goals, and to feel better able to voice their concerns to services.
You will be joining a nationally recognised project - having won an award from the Royal Society of Public Health in November 2024 - to support residents to fulfil their personal goals, make connections with others, and design activities and services that meet local needs. You will also be supporting people to improve their mental and physical health through signposting them to appropriate services and encouraging them to talk to their GP if they have concerns; and will be working in partnership with GP practice staff to co-create volunteer roles to make the practice more efficient and a better place to visit.
Who are we?
Volunteer Centre Hackney is a medium sized charity (currently 30 staff) based in the London borough of Hackney, working to support local residents to realise their skills and passions through volunteering and social action, and to share these for the benefit of others.
Our mission is to build and strengthen communities across Hackney through supporting residents of all ages and backgrounds to volunteer and build projects together.
In 2021, we were awarded the Freedom of the Borough Award by Hackney Council for our efforts to support residents during COVID, which included mobilising over 2000 volunteers to deliver food, prescriptions and essential items, provide emotional support to isolated residents and support the vaccine rollout.
We work with hundreds of diverse community organisations and deliver various programmes to help residents share their skills and deliver their own social action projects to improve people’s lives. These include a befriending programme, volunteering brokerage matching local people to volunteer roles based on their skills, interests and goals, a specialist mental health programme, peer research and multiple resident engagement programmes at GP surgeries and estates across Hackney.
Post holders need to be enthusiastic and engaging, bringing energy to the role, be self-motivating and confident to work primarily alone, albeit with some support from the team members based at other sites.
Registered Charity
We’ve been inspiring, developing, and supporting communities since 1997. We’re here to help you make a difference as a volunteer.
Thank you!
It's an exciting time to join the Age UK Legacy team - our Legacy Management team have been shortlisted for 'Legacy Administration Team of the year' in the Smee & Ford Legacy Awards.
Age UK is recruiting for a Senior Legacy Marketing Manager to lead a high-performing marketing team to plan and deliver, legacy marketing campaigns, managing budgets, performance analysis, pipeline development, and relationship management of our legacy supporters.
In this impactful role, you will take proactive accountability for the development and delivery of the legacy journey from prospect & considerer stage to pledger, creating bespoke journeys for our audience segments.
If you have solid experience in delivering integrated multi-channel marketing campaigns and have proven to be a motivated leader who can inspire others to achieve ambitious goals, we are keen to hear from you!
Please note that due to the Hybrid nature of this role, the successful applicant will be required to work from our central London office near Tower Hill, once a week (currently Thursdays) but more frequently if required. Travel costs to the London office are the responsibility of the postholder and are not covered by the charity.
Age UK Grade 4L
Must haves:
The below competencies will be assessed at the indicated stage of the recruitment process:
Application = A, Interview = I, Test = T, Presentation = P
Experience
Solid experience in delivering integrated multi-channel marketing campaigns, utilising the most effective channel mix to ensure we're targeting the right individuals with the right message at the right time. A, I
Proven experience in delivering legacy and/or mid-value individual giving programmes, including prospecting, pipeline development, and relationship management A, I
Experience in growing supporter lifetime value through effective stewardship and engagement strategies. P
Skills and Knowledge
Strong leadership skills, with the ability to manage and inspire a team to achieve ambitious goals. A, I
Experience of using data and insight to drive performance optimisation and improvement. I, T
Excellent project management skills, with the ability to plan, prioritise, and manage multiple campaigns simultaneously. A, I
A strong understanding of Fundraising Codes of Practice and Guidelines A, I
Personal attributes
Demonstrate empathy and understanding for the issues faced by older people A, I
Build collaborative relationships with both internal stakeholders and external partners, including agencies and fulfilment partners, to maximise campaign impact. A
Build collaborative and productive relationships with key stakeholders across the organisation, including Brand, CRM, and Individual Marketing to enhance supporter lifetime value and opportunities for cross marketing and building internal understanding of legacies. A, I
Build positive and collaborative relationships across the Age UK network including nations and local Age UKs to promote gifts in wills. I
What we offer in return
- Competitive salary, 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + annual leave purchase scheme
- Excellent pension scheme, life assurance, health cashback plan and EAP
- Car Benefit Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loan
- Techscheme - buy any tech from Apple or Currys, up to £1000, and spread the cost over 12 months, interest free
- Blue Light Card Scheme
- You Did It Awards – recognition awards from £100-250.
Additional Information
Supporting statements and anonymisation
Candidates are expected to provide a supporting statement that explains how they meet the competencies annotated with an 'A' in the job description, to assess suitability for the position. Age UK acknowledges and accepts that AI may be used to support the application; we do expect candidates to personalise experience, knowledge and skills and failure to do so, may result in your application being rejected.
CVs will be anonymised by our recruitment system when you apply for a role. Our system is unable to anonymise supporting statements. Please could you remove any personal information including your name before you upload to support our inclusive recruitment process. All equalities monitoring information is also anonymised and not shared with the hiring panel. Your name and address will only be known to us if invited for interview.
Equal opportunities & Disability Confident Scheme
Age UK is an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. Age UK is a Disability Confident Scheme employer. Due to high numbers of applications received, Age UK reserves the right to limit the overall number of interviews offered, and therefore, it may not always be practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people that meet the minimum criteria for the job.
Reasonable adjustments
Disabled job seekers can access reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. All requests for reasonable adjustments are considered on a case-by-case basis, in collaboration with the disabled job seeker to best meet their needs, by contacting Disability disclosures will be kept confidential and only shared on a need-to-know basis to support the implementation of adjustments. Disclosures will not be used to inform hiring decisions.
Age UK is able to provide Skilled Worker sponsorship for eligible roles only. If this applies to you, please contact the recruitment team to discuss. If the role is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship you will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK.
Age UK is committed to safeguarding adults at risk, and children, from abuse and neglect. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment.
Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert at any time.
Age UK politely requests no contact from recruitment agencies or media sales. We do not accept speculative CVs from recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
The Restored Beacon Network is a national network of churches that provide a place of welcome and safety for those who have experienced domestic abuse. Beacon churches partner with us to receive training, guidance and resources so that they can effectively support survivors in their congregations and communities, shining a light in the darkness of domestic abuse and journeying with them on the road to recovery.
The Restored Beacon Network manager will work with the CEO to grow and develop this important network of churches. You will meet and recruit new church partners and walk them through the journey to becoming a Restored Beacon and beyond. This will involve meeting with church leadership, assessing their readiness to become a Beacon, arranging a training schedule, and supporting Restored Beacon Co-ordinators. You'll care for our church partners, providing spiritual, emotional and practical support to them as they work at the front line of supporting survivors. Relationship management is a key part of this role, not only with each individual Restored Beacon coordinator but also in facilitating peer support across the network.
Please read the attached job description and submit a one page cover letter explaining how you fit the criteria for the role. Please also submit a CV.
Registered Charity
6 - 10
Speaking up about the realities of violence against women and girls, and equipping the Church to stand against domestic abuse and support survivors.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Director of Services
We are seeking an experienced Director of Services to work as part of the Senior Management Team to provide strategic leadership and direction for the organisation and deputise for the CEO as required.
You will be responsible for the Charity’s client-facing, free at point of access, service delivery operations, including Information, Advice and Advocacy, and Hospital and Community support services.
Position: Director of Services
Location: Hayes, London
Salary: £55,000 per annum
Hours: Full-time - 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Benefits: Flexible Working, Hybrid Working, Compressed hours available, Job share considered/Part-time hours considered, Training and development, 5% pension contribution, Health plan with employee assistance and 24 hour support, 26 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) rising to 30 days, London Living Wage employer
Closing date: Midday, Monday 12th May 2025
About the role:
As Director of Services, you will be responsible for a wide range of services including Hospital services (A&E support, discharge and falls prevention), community services (activity groups, befriending, clubs), information and advice services (including benefits, housing, carers and statutory advocacy).
You will be responsible for ensuring all contracts and grants deliver to targets and provide services of the highest possible quality standards with demonstrable impact measures and feedback systems.
You will be a key member of our Senior Management Team (SMT), helping to develop and deliver on our new 5-year strategy, and contributing towards the annual business planning and budgeting processes.
Alongside our CEO you will be responsible for managing our external partnerships and third sector consortia. You will help to ensure we influence the priorities of our three local authorities and play a key role in the NHS transformation agenda across Northwest London. You will be based in a positive, creative and ambitious organisation, supported by a skilled SMT and responsible for a team of experienced managers.
Your key responsibilities will include:
• Provide strategic leadership, direction and development of all Age UK HHB Services, contributing to organisational strategy and the annual business planning process.
• To work with the leadership team to identify and resource development opportunities, and to ensure our activity is providing optimum impact to improve the lives of older people in the borough
• Line Manage and develop Head of Services, Service Managers and other staff as appropriate, including setting targets and monitoring performance by ensuring that regular supervisions and appraisals are carried out, and tackling any performance issues in line with policies and procedures.
• Ensure Age UK HHB staff and volunteers are provided with up-to-date information sources, including any changes in national and local policy. To ensure services achieve external and internal quality frameworks and best practice guidance and to drive efficient working practices.
• Develop and oversee systems for feedback from service users to ensure the work, ethos and culture of Age UK HHB are informed by older people.
• To ensure quality data is captured for all service delivery allowing us to measure reach and impact for effective performance management, overseeing the provision of monitoring reports and dashboards for funders and board
• To work with the CEO, Managers and Trustees to develop annual budgets and to ensure services and projects are delivered to budget.
• Work closely with external partners and commissioning/funding agencies to ensure that Age UK HHB delivers the range of services that are required and/or contracted, on time and on budget.
About you:
To be successful in the role you will need to be able to operate effectively in challenging times and a constantly changing working environment. Experience in successful leadership, managing people, organisational change and improving business processes to support the charity’s strategy will be essential to this role.
Essential skills and experience include:
• Educated to Degree level or equivalent, or substantial successful senior management experience.
• Proven experience as an inspirational and successful leader of teams of staff and volunteers.
• Substantial experience in effective management of time, tasks and projects.
• Demonstrable experience of working within and/or influencing change in health and social care services.
• Experience in designing, planning, leading and mobilising new or remodelled services from concept through to business as usual.
• Knowledge of the voluntary sector and its ways of working with knowledge and understanding of user involvement and empowerment.
• Knowledge and understanding of local health and social care structures.
• Excellent written and verbal presentation skills.
If you feel you have the necessary skills apply today!
The charity is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
About the organisation:
Age UK Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent provides a wide range of services for around 15,000 older people across the three boroughs of North West London. We employ 100 staff and are supported by 180 volunteers. Our turnover is in the region of £3.5 million.
Other roles you may have experience with could include Deputy Service Manager, Service Coordinator, Head of Services, Service Lead, Social Care, Social Care Services, Health and Social Care, Programme Manager, Service Delivery Manager, Registered Manager, Registered Service Manager, Service Manager, Services Manager.
Thank you!
Job description
Job Purpose
To manage and develop the home from hospital settle service in the hospitals that you are responsible for, to support timely and successful patient discharges from hospital and prevent re-admissions. You will work in collaboration with hospital teams and community teams to lead and manage your team to support the smooth transition from hospital to home for service users. The service works with people for time limited support (usually up to 6 weeks) to adjust and settle back in their homes, and to prevent readmission into hospital.
Key Tasks
- Work in partnership with the hospitals and other health and social care professionals to coordinate safe and timely discharges for referred clients. This involves attending meetings with hospital personnel including Discharge Co-ordinators and Ward Managers to discuss discharges and plan who and how individuals will be supported as appropriate.
- Manage a team working across two hospitals and ensuring the service is available between the contracted hours.
- Work collaboratively with other agencies providing support services.
- Conduct initial assessments of people referred to the services as necessary.
- Plan and develop person centred interventions to provide short term support for people after hospital discharge.
- Work with GPs as appropriate in identifying and supporting patients to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.
- Work with people with a range of needs, dealing with issues ranging from social isolation and keeping people engaged in their community, to preventing unnecessary admission to hospital.
- Support the hospitals with delayed transfer of care (DTOC).
- Coordinate and monitor the caseload of referrals allocated to team members to ensure a fair and manageable distribution of work.
- Rota planning to ensure staff flexibility and availability, enabling planned rosters that best suit both hospital and patient needs.
- Develop your team which includes; supervision, appraisal, planning of continued professional development opportunities and training needs.
- Conduct regular management audits to ensure a consistent way of working and identify development and training needs in the team or individual.
- Develop and deliver a flexible service that can respond to peaks and troughs in demand.
- Ensure the service is meeting key performance indicators, and identify any concerns e.g. demand for the service exceeding the levels in the contract and taking proactive action to address this.
- Monitor performance of the services against KPIs and produce reports to demonstrate performance.
- Deliver front-line services when needed, e.g. sickness or staff shortages. This is by exception rather than you regularly doing support work.
- Manage the budget, sign-off expenses, and ensure the project is delivered to budget, liaising with the Finance Department as necessary.
- Support the directorate with generating funding e.g. being actively involved in consultation of possible projects, providing activity data, opportunity spotting, and/or supporting the production of tenders.
- On a rota basis, provide weekend on call cover for the services you manage, and other hospital settle services provided by AUKEL.
Administration
- Lead on contract reporting, this includes quarterly, annual and ad hoc reports as necessary.
- Carry out annual customer service surveys.
- Enable the impact of the service to be assessed and inform the improvement of other local services by keeping electronic records of all referrals and interventions, and producing reports on activity and outcomes, in accordance with KPIs.
- Meet and produce reports as required by the Head of Service.
- Ensure patient records are regularly updated through AUKEL database, and support staff to complete their administration via training etc.
- Work with the Communications team and the Head of Service, market and promote the service.
- Build and circulate a resource pack for the wider AUKEL team to generate referrals between services delivered by the charity.
Quality
- Be familiar with and implement AUKEL policies and procedures.
- Ensure the service is delivered in accordance with Care Quality Commission principles.
- Ensure a cycle of continuous improvement by taking a “lessons learnt” review approach.
- Ensure that the requirements of the contract specification for the services are met.
- Ensure integration with other AUKEL projects, and service users are referred/sign-posted to appropriate support services available to them.
- Respond to safeguarding or other concerns and take appropriate reporting and management action.
- Lead on recruitment of staff for your team, and support others at AUKEL.
Liaison
- Represent AUKEL and participate in appropriate external meetings and events and remain aware of local, regional and national issues affecting AUKEL clients.
- Develop external relationships with stakeholders, and build positive connections with health and social care partners
- Attend contract management meetings with commissioners alongside the Head of Hospital and Home Services.
General
- Meet regularly with line manager for support, supervision and appraisal.
- Attend team and staff meetings, (and other meetings) as required.
- Complete any training required to fulfil the post.
- Carry out the duties of the post in accordance with AUKEL’s policies and procedures including Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, Safeguarding, and Care Quality Commission (CQC) guidelines.
- Other duties which are consistent and commensurate with the responsibilities of the post and the needs and development of the Hospital Home and Settle Service.
Functional Links
- The Home and Settle Manager is line managed by the Head of Hospital and Home Services
- The Home and Settle Manager line manages:
- Project Officers
- Discharge and Settle Workers
- Volunteers
- Close working is required with Age UK East London Finance Team
- Close working with Information, Advice, Advocacy & Befriending Services
- Close working with Handyperson services
- Close working with Age UK East London Community Services
- Close working with other take home and settle services across east London
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience of people management including line management and team leadership.
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience of delivering services within a health or care setting at a level reflecting the responsibilities of the post.
- Of project recording and reporting to funders.
- Of leading service development and improvement and managing the change process.
Desirable
- Experience of working with older people
- Experience of working within a hospital discharge setting.
- NVQ Level 2 Health & Social Care or Care Certificate
Knowledge & Understanding
Essential
- Understanding of the impact of discrimination and disadvantage on the lives of people and ability to work in a trauma-informed manner.
- Understanding of NHS hospital discharge procedures.
- Understanding and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and their carers.
- Understand of and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and dignity
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of NHS England legislation regarding Avoiding Unplanned Admission Care Plans.
- Knowledge of project financial budgeting
- Knowledge of CQC fundamental standards
- Understanding of impact on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 & Liberty Protection Safeguards 2020 within the hospital setting
Skills/Attributes
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Good planning and organisational skills
- Ability to work calmly under pressure.
- Intermediate IT skills
- Data analysis skills
Desirable
- Ability to speak one or more community languages
Additional Requirements
- This post is subject to the relevant check through the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)
- Flexibility in working hours to meet organisational needs
- The post holder will work with standard Office365 server-based computer system
- Occasional weekend and evening working may be required
Employment Details
Location
The post holder will be based between the Homerton and the Royal London Hospitals.
Contract type
This contracted post is for 35 hours per week. We welcome application for flexible working including reduced hours and other flexible working arrangements.
Location
The post holder will be mostly based within the Hospitals they oversee.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.