Community Connector Coordinator Jobs
Groundswell Community Connector (Luton) – Job Description
Groundswell Project
Groundswell is a Community Interest Company (CIC) that focuses on peace-building, countering social harms and creating more resilient communities. We seek to do this through our trademarked ‘FIND-CONNECT-AMPLIFY’ model in which we identify local and existing community based organisations, connect them with wider community and statutory partners and amplify their efforts. We are active across the UK and are now seeking to expand our network of community connectors.
Salary – 32-34k depending upon experience, plus expenses.
Location – Luton
Job Context
Groundswell Project is seeking to recruit community connectors to work on a Big Lottery funded project called ‘Together we are’. This project seeks to implement Groundswell’s ‘Find, Connect, Amplify’ approach in four cities in the UK, namely London, Manchester, Glasgow and Luton. These roles are tasked with mapping community based groups in their respective cities, offering them support, connecting them with local statutory partners and putting on events that allow said groups to expand their outreach in the local area. Ultimately, the aim of the role is to ensure local community groups are better connected, much more visible and, thus, more effective. We are currently recruiting for a Luton based connector.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
1) Mapping the local landscape for community based organisations and producing a borough profile
2) Building strong relationships with local statutory and community based partners
3) Arrange meetings that connect local stakeholders in order to foster greater collaborative work
4) Arrange and promote a series of events in the local area that focus on relevant local themes
5) Help develop the Groundswell community mapper
6) Report directly to the ‘Together We Are’ project manager on all aspects of local work
Person Specification
The person must possess the following:
- A strong familiarity with the local area
- Experience of working with community based organisations
- Event management experience
- Competence with budget management
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Alignment with the vision and goals of the Groundswell Project
Employee benefits
Fully covered expenses for laptops, phones, and travel, as well as flexible remote work options.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Your experience of working in the mental health field has given you a good understanding of community working and lone working plus a proven ability to break down stigma and the barriers associated with working with the client group. All you need is the perfect environment to put your skills to great use. Welcome to Richmond Fellowship as a Community Connector.
NHS England recently announced a new transformation fund to be allocated to pilot sites within 12 Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships/Integrated Care Systems across the country to test new and integrated models of primary and community mental health care. The Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership in Redhill is one of these successful pilot sites, and Richmond Fellowship are proud to be part of that partnership.
The role of Community Connector is fundamental to the developing of these innovative new teams and mental health services based within networks of GP Practices (Primary Care Networks). Indeed, whoever takes on this particular challenge will be instrumental in supporting the ongoing development and mobilisation of integrated primary care mental health services in the future. Along the way, you’ll work jointly with a Mental Health Practitioner to conduct assessments. We’ll also rely on you to help patients identify their socially determined needs and goals, provide self-management tools, and develop personal support plans. Delivering a range of motivational and structured psycho-social interventions, promoting independence through an enabling asset based approach and developing effective relationships with a range of agencies to facilitate a ‘joined up’ approach - these are just some aspects of this vital role.
As well as proven relevant experience, you’ll need an appropriate diploma or degree i.e., in counselling, psychology, social work, probation, mental health, Health and Social Care (level 3), NVQ’s level 3+ and/or community experience of drug, alcohol, mental health work. You’ll also need the ability to work co-operatively and flexible as part of a multidisciplinary team from a service hub in one of three locations and be willing to travel to and from a number of different locations on a daily basis. Comfortable working to the confidentiality, consent, information sharing and safeguarding policies of the integrated service, the ability to manage any challenging behaviour, anger and verbal aggression from patients is important too. And, it goes without saying that you have excellent communication skills and are proficient in the use of office IT.
In return for your skills and enthusiasm, this role comes with some really great benefits and excellent training and development opportunities.
This is a permanent, full time role requiring the post holder to work 37.5 hours per week.
We are committed to increasing our diversity and we would welcome applications from those with lived experience and/or who are from a BAME background.
To apply, please visit our website and send a CV and covering letter explaining why you feel you are right for the role.
This is a rolling recruitment process. Candidates will be interviewed as and when they are shortlisted.
Richmond Fellowship is part of Recovery Focus, a national group of charities highly experienced in providing specialist support services to individuals and families living with the effects of mental ill health, drug and alcohol use, gambling and domestic violence. From 1st June 2024 Richmond Fellowship will be merging with the mental health charity Humankind to form a single organisation that provides the joined-up mental health, housing and drug and alcohol support we’ve all known has been needed for decades. In October 2024, Humankind will then be renamed to reflect the new, bigger and better organisation
Community Connector Workers x4
Hours: 37 Hours per week
Salary: £25,000 - £27,444 Per Annum Pro Rata (dependant on skills, knowledge and experience)
Contract: Permanent
Base: Location will be specific to one of the three: Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire. With some flexibility to support gaps
Benefits: 28 days annual leave + bank holidays, contributory pension scheme, flexible working and great discounts and cash back card schemes
NHS England have awarded funding for NHS, Local Authorities, and the voluntary sector to increase their capacity for joint working to meet multiple needs of communities.
Working in partnership across Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, you will support the testing of new and integrated models of primary and community mental health care.
Community Connectors will support patients to access a wide range of community services and resources including social care, housing, family, debt and employment counselling that support maintaining good health and wellbeing.
Key Responsibilities:
- Work jointly with the Mental Health Practitioner in conducting assessments, including risk assessment
- Work with patients to support them in identifying their socially determined needs and goals, provide self- management tools and facilitate the development of personal support plans
- Provide a range of motivational and structured psycho-social interventions
- Promote independence through an enabling asset-based approach that draws on individuals’ strengths, preferences and ‘natural’ support networks
- Assist with community resource mapping exercises and maintain a database of community resources; map where there are gaps in provision across the PCN and wider geography and work with other VCS organisations to develop resources where most needed
- Promote and support (where necessary) advised follow up actions from physical health checks for people with SMI
- Work with the service to identify opportunities to expand provision particularly in local communities where there is a lack of service provision identified
- Broker and establish new partnerships between public and voluntary sector agencies to enhance service delivery and access to services
- Develop and sustain professional relationships with service users, partner agencies and appropriate external agencies
What’s essential?
- An understanding of good practice in safeguarding Adults
- Experience of working within mental health, wellbeing or similar environments
- Experience of working in a demanding environment
- Ability to work as part of a team and communicate effectively
- Experience of working with individuals, enabling them to identify their own goals to support personal wellbeing and recovery, and helping them to pursue these
- Ability to work both collaboratively and independently
- Excellent listening and interpersonal skills
- Ability to confidently use IT systems and software at a basic level
- Ability to travel to different sites daily to deliver face-to-face sessions across the Berkshire region.
- Good planning and organisational skills
We want you to know that your application is welcome. We welcome applications from people of all sections of the community, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.
Closing date: This post will close as soon as a sufficient number of applicants have been received and all posts have been filled so please apply ASAP to avoid disappointment
Shortlisting date: Tuesday 26th April 2024
Interview date: Tuesday 30th April & Wednesday 1st May 2024
Interview location: TBC
Why work for us?
- We offer a friendly working environment and are committed to staff wellbeing
- We are devoted to equity, diversity, inclusion, and equality, with staff working groups and support groups
- We are an Oxford Living Wage employer
Here is a taste of what we offer:
- Generous holiday allowance, 28 days plus 8 bank holidays, increasing after 5 years (pro rata)
- Contribute to pension scheme
- Flexible working including; hybrid working, part time, compressed hours
- Ensuring growth and development of our people along their career journey
- Free support package from Health Assured for you and your family
- Great discounts and cash back card schemes
Oxfordshire Mind is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. We therefore require a Disclosure and Barring Service check, for all our roles. The level of which will vary depending on the nature of the role.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
We welcome applications from people from all sections of the community, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.
Oxfordshire Mind is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. We therefore require a Disclosure and Barring Service check, for all our roles. The level of which will vary depending on the nature of the role.
No agencies please.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Mind BLMK works across our communities to support positive mental health and wellbeing. Working closely with a range of partners, we offer a number of activities from our wellbeing centres and local venues to make a difference to the mental health and wellbeing of people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, and our aim is to make sure that no-one has to face a mental health problem alone.
Community Connector (Mental Health Resilience Worker)
Post no: 594
Working base: Dunstable
Contract type: Permanent
Salary: £24,720 per annum
Hours: 37.0 hours per week, Monday to Friday
About the Role
Community Connectors work as part of an integrated, blended mental health offer to support people with emotional, social and practical needs to access a range of local, non-medical and non-clinical services, to improve confidence, social inclusion and independence.
This role will involve working as part of a multi-disciplinary team with statutory, third sector and NHS colleagues to support clients who are suffering from moderate to severe mental health difficulties. You will need to have experience working with those suffering with mental health illness as well as being able to demonstrate in depth knowledge of the services, support networks and local resources that may assist in improved outcomes for those dealing with complex and enduring mental health issues. The ability to be adaptable, work independently and the resilience to work in some challenging environments are key attributes for this role.
Service Delivery
- Assess suitability for community connection support as part of a blended team approach and support individuals to access the service by utilising in depth knowledge of local voluntary and community services and networks in your respective area
- To work with individuals to coproduce a plan to address their mental health and wellbeing goals. Am enable people to achieve these goals through facilitating access and connecting with appropriate resources
- Enable people to access community resources which may include accompanying them.
- Offer support, guidance and help where possible to people to gain confidence, overcome initial fears and seek solutions to any barriers inhibiting attendance.
- Take a holistic approach, based on the individuals’ priorities and wider determinants of health that impact on their health and wellbeing, such as debt, poor housing, being unemployed, loneliness and caring responsibilities.
- To work as part of an integrated team to ensure the best outcomes for each person accessing the service.
- Identify and build good working relationships with the community groups, relevant services and activities for partnership work and signposting as well as keep updated information about them.
- Competently work as part of a blended team, under direction from Mind BLMK and ELFT, working with independence and in an agile way to support people with complex mental health challenges.
Entitlements/benefits:
- 25 days (pro rata) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)
- Auto-enrolment NEST pension scheme (employer contributes 3%, employee contributes 5%)
- Health Plan with a wide variety of benefits
- Discounts available through Blue Light Card & Tickets for Good
- In-house and external Learning and Development as appropriate for the role.
- Flexible Working On request (in line with Mind BLMK policy on Right to Request Flexible Working)
If you have a passion for working in mental health and possess the required skills, we would love to hear from you.
Closedown: 5pm Thursday 2nd May 2024
Interview date: TBC
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if enough suitable applicants apply
Start date: ASAP
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
Mind BLMK has been committed to the Mindful Employer charter and the Disability Confident Employer Scheme since 2008.
Please note: Mind BLMK follows Safer Recruitment practices and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Therefore all our roles are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
No agencies please.