Befriending jobs in london
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We are looking for an experienced professional to join us whilst a team member is on maternity leave. Linked Minds is a successful project providing support for people with diagnosed mental health problems who have become isolated. It has been operational since Oct 2018 and works exclusively to support people with a diagnosis of mental health problems through volunteer befriending.
You will have experience in supporting people with mental health problems and be committed to the Recovery Approach. You will:
- Manage a caseload of clients with diagnosed mental health problems and ensure they establish and maintain a supportive and safe befriending relationship with their volunteers
- Manage a team of volunteers to ensure they maintain a supportive and safe befriending relationship with their clients
- To ensure that Equal Opportunities, Safeguarding and other organisational policies and procedures are actively developed and implemented throughout the work
- Liaise with external organisations to establish good professional working relationships in order to access appropriate referrals and risk assessments for the project.
BEfriend recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented ethnic and cultural communities.
Interviews will be held on either 29th or 30th July in our Ealing office.
Registered Charity
11 - 20
BEfriend is a one-to-one volunteer befriending service, supporting socially isolated people in the London boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Age UK Croydon have an established befriending service providing one-to-one befriending for older people in their home. We are now launching a new and exciting Gift of Friendship (GoF) Programme to run alongside this existing face to face and telephone befriending service.
The GoF programme will offer a new additional person-centred companionship service where volunteers and older people are matched to reduce loneliness and isolation together. The service is person centred and dependent on the goals of the individual which could include, going for a walk, going shopping, attending activities or helping an older person to build or regain confidence in going out and about and developing more social connections.
We are looking for excellent people skills, a strong initiative, and effective communications, including an ability to build relationships with clients and volunteers, and undertake matching in an astute and sensitive manner. You will also need excellent administration skills with high levels of accuracy and attention to detail.
If you are passionate about making a difference to the lives of people in the community, and those who care for them and want to contribute to an organisation which is continuously striving to improve, then we would love to hear from you. The role will demand a division of time between the office, and out in the community completing home assessments and matching visits. The position will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check and references.
We are committed to providing a flexible and productive working environment for all employees. Evolving technology and communication platforms enable employees to work in new and different ways, where we can meet our stakeholder needs and continue to deliver against our charitable objectives. We recognise the importance of supporting employees to have greater personal choice and maintain a healthier work/life balance.
Closing date for applications: 9am 2nd July 2025
Interview Dates: Tuesday 8th July 2025
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Our mission is to reach, involve, support and connect people so they can age well in Croydon.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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.
- Occasionally 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
- Carry out annual customer service surveys.
- Maintain electronic records of referrals and interventions to assess service impact, support local improvements, and report on 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
- 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
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Reporting to: Mental Health Personal Independence Co-ordinator Manager
Responsible for: None
Hours: 36 hours a week
Weekend working will be necessary on an ‘as required’ basis
Location: 10 Altyre Road, Fairfield House, East Croydon CR0 5LA and other locations as required.
Purpose of the role:
We are looking for 2 Mental Health Personal Independence Co-ordinator’s to join our team.
The Mental Health Personal Independence Co-ordinator (MHPIC) will work as part of the MHPIC team and will work alongside clinical and social care professionals in local multi-disciplinary teams assigned to specific GP surgeries. Each MHPIC will be assigned to a specific locality located within the Integrated Care Network Plus health and social care systems in either North, Central or South Croydon. The multi-disciplinary team learning and development during the initial two-year test period will inform the development and growth of the MHPIC team to ensure that it can support community-based mental health and wellbeing across the whole population and in all 6 Integrated Care Network Plus localities.
MHPICs will provide initial contact and assessment conversations with clients using Open Dialogue tools and techniques to enable people to develop their own Personal Recovery Plans and supporting them directly over a period of time to find and access the support and services available to them in their local community.
Each MHPIC will be the direct named key worker for a set number of people who are referred to the service by healthcare professionals, including GPs, Mental Health Practitioners & Health Care Assistants, Social Prescribers and other voluntary or community sector organisations. They will provide one-to-one support in the achievement of an individual’s recovery goals, ensuring that support is person- centred; that needs and wishes are identified by people themselves; that they have a stronger voice in relation to issues that affect their lives; and that they are supported and empowered to improve and/or maintain their mental health and wellbeing and to live their best independent lives.
Support in the community includes home visits. The aim of home visits is to assess clients' strengths and needs and link these to agency and community resources, and to ensure that individual clients’ needs can be met within a risk-assessed policy approach.
Mind in Croydon is an equal opportunities employer. No job applicant or employee will be discriminated against on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
We encourage applications from those with Lived Experience.
To apply please send your CV (which should address each competency in the Person Specification) and a Covering Letter explaining:
- Why would you like to apply for this role?
- How your skills and experience relate to the competencies in the Person Specification of the job description?
- What value you can add to the service?
To apply please send your CV (which should address each competency in the Person Specification) and a Covering Letter to explaining:
• Why would you like to apply for this role?
• How your skills and experience relate to the competencies in the Person Specification of the job description?
• What value you can add to the service?
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
As our Befriending Service Coordinator, you will lead the further development and coordination of our befriending offer, working closely with volunteers and service users. Your work will help provide a supportive, connected service enabling those at risk of isolation to feel connected and engaged with others.
Our broader offer includes a range of services with tailored support through holistic understanding of those who seek our support. Please see our website for our range of services.
What you’ll do:
- Lead the delivery of our individually tailored befriending service, supporting clients to reconnect to community and reduce isolation.
- Work with the other teams to support your clients in accessing our wider services and support, including social activities.
- Build strong partnerships with local groups and services across health, social care and the voluntary sector.
- Use and support the team of existing befriending linked volunteers and develop further recruitment and training as needed.
Who you are:
You have experience working in older people services or the voluntary sector, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by older people. You’re proactive, organised, and passionate about delivering person-centred support that makes a real difference.
Why join us?
You’ll be part of a small, caring team committed to practical, person-centred support for older people both through groups and as individuals. This is a unique chance to shape a growing service and improve the quality of life for older people in your community.
Closing date for applications: 30 June 2025 at 9am. Interview dates: week beginning 30 June 2025.
Please see website for more information on our organisation.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
South East London Mind’s award-winning Mindful Mums programme aims to build resilience and prevent pregnant and new mums from developing mental health problems during the perinatal period (pregnancy up to 1 year). The service has supported over 4,000 parents within the last eight years.
We are looking for a Senior Project Coordinator (Maternity Cover) to act as our Single Point of Access for professionals, service users and volunteers. The role is responsible for managing all referrals, providing holistic and person-centred support to vulnerable women experiencing mental health challenges. The role will provide high quality and supportive line management of staff, and will oversee the recruitment life cycle of volunteers to the Mindful Mums project, including interviews, onboarding, training and supervision.
You will be highly organised with experience of staff and data management in a target-driven environment. Working independently but collaboratively, you will take a solution-focused approach to improve processes and will be able to utilise databases to produce and analyse reports. You will also be a confident facilitator, as some group and training delivery will be expected.
This role would ideally suit a parent who has successfully managed their own perinatal mental health problems and those with good understanding of promoting positive perinatal mental wellbeing.
Successful applicants will be expected to undergo an Enhanced Level Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Closing date: Monday 23rd June (11:59pm)
Likely interview date: Week beginning 7th July
We encourage early applications as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications.
About Us
SEL Mind supports people with mental health problems and dementia in the boroughs of Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark. We are proud of our diverse workforce and know that our organisation is made stronger by the variety of backgrounds, experience, and ideas within it. We promote a culture of inclusion and representation, and are working hard to build a workforce that even better reflects the communities we support.
SEL Mind is somewhere that you can be your authentic self without fear of discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, neurodivergence, gender, age, lived experience of mental health problems or anything else that’s part of who you are.
Read more about staff benefits and why staff love working here on our website.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
We work to be there when it matters for people living with mental health problems and dementia in Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About Us
Age UK Lewisham and Southwark (AUKLS) is a local, independent, self-funded charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people in Lewisham and Southwark. We pride ourselves on our open and participative working environment, adhering to core values of fairness and equality as a service provider, employer, and partner. We are proud to partner with Macmillan Cancer Support to provide essential social prescribing and Cancer Champion services to individuals affected by cancer, through 2 year and 3-year funding, respectively.
Are you passionate about health equity and community empowerment?
Age UK Lewisham and Southwark (AUKLS) is looking for a dynamic, compassionate and community-focused individual to lead our Macmillan Cancer Champions Service. This vital role supports underrepresented communities in Lewisham to raise cancer awareness, reduce stigma, and improve access to screening and wellbeing services.
What You’ll Do
- Lead a community-led programme to raise cancer awareness and tackle stigma
- Manage and support a Volunteer Coordinator and a team of Cancer Champions
- Build partnerships with local health, social care, and voluntary sector organisations
- Ensure inclusive, culturally sensitive engagement with underserved communities
- Monitor impact and report to funders and stakeholders
What You’ll Bring
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Empathetic, proactive, and passionate about community health
- Experienced in managing staff or volunteers
- Skilled in stakeholder engagement and project delivery
- Committed to equity, diversity and inclusion
- A strong communicator with excellent organisational skills
We Welcome You
We know that diverse teams make stronger organisations. If you’ve never seen yourself in a role like this before — we encourage you to apply. We offer:
- Guaranteed interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria
- Anonymised shortlisting to reduce bias
- Reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process
- Applications in alternative formats (written/audio)
Ready to empower individuals and transform lives? Apply now and be part of our mission to create a healthier, more connected Lewisham!
Staff benefits
- 26 days annual leave + bank holidays (pro rata for part-time). Additional day's leave for Birthday
- One day a year for volunteering
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme, including access to 24/7 helpline for partners and dependents
- Flexi time scheme allowing the claiming back of additional hours worked
- Other flexible working options, including working from home (where appropriate)
- Generous contractual sick pay scheme, allowing staff to recover without the worry of loss of income
- CycleScheme members – enabling employees to save 25-39% of the cost of a new bike & accessories whilst also spreading the cost
- TechScheme members – enabling employees to purchase tech through AUKLS and spread the cost from their salary
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About Us
Age UK Lewisham and Southwark (AUKLS) is a local, independent, self-funded charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people in Lewisham and Southwark. We pride ourselves on our open and participative working environment, adhering to core values of fairness and equality as a service provider, employer, and partner. We are proud to partner with Macmillan Cancer Support to provide essential social prescribing and Cancer Champion services to individuals affected by cancer, through 2 year and 3-year funding, respectively.
Help shape a more inclusive, compassionate approach to cancer support.
At Age UK Lewisham and Southwark, we believe everyone deserves access to personalised, culturally sensitive care. That’s why we’re looking for a Macmillan Personalised Care Cancer Social Prescribing Facilitator to support people affected by cancer — especially those from underrepresented communities — to access the culturally sensitive services and support they need to live well.
Why This Role Matters
This post will support adults in Lewisham who are experiencing cancer treatment and want to take proactive steps to get and stay well. Depending on the goals they set for themselves, you will introduce them to exercise classes, adult learning opportunities, social groups and other wellbeing opportunities to keep their minds focused on the future and getting better.
You’ll work directly with people living with cancer to:
- Complete Holistic Needs Assessments (HNAs)
- Co-create Personalised Care and Support Plans
- Connect individuals to local wellbeing, mental health, and community services
- Break down barriers to access for those often left behind
What You’ll Bring
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Empathetic, patient, and passionate about community health
- Experienced in working with vulnerable adults and diverse communities
- Committed to equity, inclusion, and person-centred care
- Skilled in communication, collaboration, and motivational interviewing
- Organised, proactive, and confident using digital tools
We Welcome You
We know that diverse teams make stronger organisations. If you’ve never seen yourself in a role like this before — we encourage you to apply. We offer:
- Anonymised shortlisting to reduce bias
- Reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process
- Applications in alternative formats (written/audio)
Staff benefits
- 26 days annual leave + bank holidays (pro rata for part-time). Additional day's leave for Birthday
- One day a year for volunteering
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme, including access to 24/7 helpline for partners and dependents
- Flexi time scheme allowing the claiming back of additional hours worked
- Other flexible working options, including working from home (where appropriate)
- Generous contractual sick pay scheme, allowing staff to recover without the worry of loss of income
- CycleScheme members – enabling employees to save 25-39% of the cost of a new bike & accessories whilst also spreading the cost
- TechScheme members – enabling employees to purchase tech through AUKLS and spread the cost from their salary
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.