Community Outreach Coordinator Jobs in Colchester, Essex
Betknowmore UK is proud to introduce 'Your Voice Matters,' our latest project aimed at addressing the unique challenges of gambling harms within London's Black community. With a focus on removing barriers and reducing stigma surrounding seeking support, our strategy empowers individuals, communities, and faith leaders.
We are looking for an experienced Project Coordinator to join our team and lead the implementation of 'Your Voice Matters.' Collaborating closely with our Director of Support Services and fellow Betknowmore colleagues, you will oversee the delivery of workshops, facilitate focus groups, and participate in community engagement events. Supported by our partnership with The Faiths Forum for London, you will play a pivotal role in fostering relationships within the Black community to maximize the project's impact over the next two years.
This position is primarily home-based, with regular travel across Greater London as required. The role is full-time, offering a competitive salary between £33,000 - £35,000 per annum, dependent on experience and qualifications. Additional benefits include a pension scheme and generous work/life balance. This is a fixed-term appointment for a period of two years, subject to satisfactory role performance.
We seek to promote diversity and inclusion in our recruitment process, recognising the significance of authentic representation in effectively serving our communities. Therefore, candidates from the Black African and Black Caribbean communities are strongly encouraged to apply, as we are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of those we aim to support.
This protected characteristic qualifies as an occupational requirement within this role, permitted under Schedule 9, part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.
As a growing charity with ambitious goals, you will be instrumental in working towards the following objectives:
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Enhancing awareness of gambling risks and signs of harm among women and minority communities
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Strengthening the knowledge and skills of external professionals, staff, and volunteers in understanding gambling harm and available support services
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Mitigating the stigma associated with gambling harm among women and minority communities
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Building confidence among women and minority communities to engage with gambling harm support services
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Creating opportunities for women and minority communities to contribute to the design and delivery of services tailored to their cultural and social preferences
Primary Objectives
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To cultivate a deep understanding of the distinctive challenges relating to gambling harm within the Black community. You will prioritise stakeholder engagement and be adept at facilitating community workshops, crucial components of the role
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Deliver essential education on the potential impact of gambling and associated harms
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A key aspect of the role will be stakeholder and collaboration management. Betknowmore UK works with partner organisations to ensure the very best standard of care for our clients, and we expect the postholder to demonstrate excellent customer service standards
- Strategically support outcomes to reduce overall inequalities in gambling harms, with a particular focus on Black communities, including women and affected others
Essential Skills & Knowledge
- An understanding of the role of lived experience in addiction recovery
- An appreciation and commitment to inclusivity and strengthening the voice of lived experience to help reduce stigma and contribute to social change
- Knowledge of charity governance, safeguarding and compliance requirements
- Strong administrative and organisational skills
- Experience of working with confidential and sensitive data and following best practices when handling this type of data
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to communicate effectively with people at different levels
- Strong attention to detail and time management skills
- A willingness and capability to allocate sufficient time, on a flexible basis, to carry out effectively the duties and responsibilities of the post
- Ability to work positively in a team
- Ability to work independently, prioritise, plan and manage own workload
- Understanding of using an Apple Mac and relevant software e.g. Excel, Word
- Empathy with the Charity’s aims and objectives
Desirable Skills
- Knowledge of gambling and related issues
Please see our full Job Pack before applying.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
We are looking for two individuals to help deliver an impactful GOALS service across London and build effective networks of support for people before, during and after treatment.
A main aspect of the role will be to support and work closely with individuals presenting with lived experience of gambling harm issues and/or people affected by this issue. The GOALS Supporter will understand gambling related harm and dependency issues and be able to ensure safe working environments and take a robust lead on safeguarding and harm minimisation procedures and policy.
The post holder will work with the Director of Support Services and GOALS Coordinator to support the development and maintenance of the systems and structure of the service, ensuring that governance and polices are implemented, safeguarding and safe working practices are systematic and develop a clear understanding of how the service integrates with the national gambling treatment service.
Other support activities will be developed, such as group support and weekly meet ups.
The post holder will develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, deliver presentations and other promotions within community, education and health centres to help grow and develop the service.
Adherence to health & safety, equal opportunities and diversity policies is expected at all times.
Please review the full Job Pack before applying with your CV and cover letter.
Please review the full Job Pack before applying with your CV and cover letter.
Your cover letter should detail how you meet the job specification.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
We are looking for an Advice Service Manager to join our passionate and hardworking team. The successful candidate must have an in depth understanding of refugee and asylum seeker support needs. Key elements of the role include:
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Management Team:
- As part of the Management Team to oversee the function of the organisation and its strategic development, especially in relation to SRS’s advice service
Service Development
- Be responsible for developing the advice service according to organisational needs and strategy
Team Management:
- To line manage and develop a team of Advice Workers and Reception/Admin Officer, to ensure they are suitably trained and supported to deliver a high-quality advice service across the county
- To line manage the Employment and Training Coordinator to ensure the employment and training team delivers an effective and cohesive service, which complements the work of the advice team
Management of Advice Service and Direct Service Provision:
- To ensure that the advice service promotes equality of access to all asylum seekers and refugees (clients) seeking advice and that they feel welcome and effectively supported
- To manage the advice team across the following areas:
- To assess clients’ needs and propose actions to address these needs (e.g. writing letters or emails and/or making telephone calls) in a professional manner
- To ensure that clients have access to advice about all aspects of living in the UK and to ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities under UK law
- To work to achieve agreed outcomes which will bring about positive changes in our clients’ lives
- To promote independence on the part of the clients and actively empower them to help themselves according to their individual abilities
- To direct clients to other services provided by Suffolk Refugee Support and / or external agencies (making appointments where appropriate)
- To respond to telephone requests for information from clients, statutory, voluntary, and private sector organisations and the general public
The Advice Service Manager will:
- Guide the advice service team on complex casework, where needed
- Building on the advice team’s expertise, and with the support of the HR and Training Officer, ensure that their team is up to date on the latest legislation and procedures that impact the asylum seekers and refugees we work with
- Be responsible for decision making and for ensuring that direct funding and grants to clients are in line with policy
Newly arrived asylum seeker support
- To keep abreast of numbers of new arrivals of asylum seekers into Suffolk
- To facilitate clothing donations to those in most need, ensuring that stocks are maintained
- To ensure that clients in asylum accommodation across Suffolk can access our services
- To develop and oversee positive activities for asylum seekers, such as sports and music groups (in liaison with SRS's Operations Manager)
Immigration support lead
- To develop good relationships with immigration legal services and solicitors to ensure that clients can access the information they require and that clients understand the processes they are going through
Vulnerable Client & Safeguarding Lead
- To be the support lead for very vulnerable clients or where there are cases with safeguarding concerns
Client representation
- To promote the views and experiences of SRS’s clients at external meetings and advisory boards, by participation in face to face and virtual meetings and in giving occasional presentations, using on-the-ground knowledge
Partnership working
- To develop and maintain good working relationships with external service providers and agencies, and to oversee joint working and services development
Monitoring, Evaluation and Donor Reporting
- To ensure services given and outcomes achieved are recorded on internal monitoring systems and that data protection regulations are adhered to
- To provide monthly summary reports for the Charity Manager and board of trustees
- To compile reports in reference to our funders’ outcomes and targets
- To help with the development & administration of written information produced by SRS for our clients’ benefit
- To contribute to development of new services and funding applications
Size: 21 - 50
Suffolk Refugee Support exists to ensure that all asylum seekers and refugees in Suffolk, are enabled to live integrated, fulfilled and contributing
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Main purpose of job: To work in the Navigator team supporting individuals who have or are experiencing sexual violence and or sexual abuse. As a first contact worker, you will act as a gateway to both specialist counselling and advocacy services and additional specialist support services in Essex. You will use your considerable experience to provide a high-quality telephone information and support service.
The support you deliver will help individuals on their pathway to wellbeing, recovery, and social inclusion through building trusting and collaborative relationships. You will guide users to make informed decisions about their own wellbeing, maximising their independence and engaging in appropriate community or clinical resources/interventions.
You will work within a team of first contact navigators under the supervision of a service lead. You will be highly motivated and dedicated, have strong communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to work under minimal supervision.
Start date:As soon as possible (subject to Enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory references).
Salary:£24,496 - £26,845 per annum.
Contract: This contract is until 31st March 2026, with the potential to extend if funding is continued.
Hours: 35 hours per week.
Place of work: CARA premises in Colchester and some remote home working if a suitable environment is available. Some travel to other locations in Essex may be required, particularly during the induction period.
Holiday: 25 days per year, plus additional closure days between Christmas and New Year.
To apply: Please complete the application form, which can be downloaded from our website, explaining how your skills and experience relate to the person specification.
Application deadline: Tuesday 11th June 2024, 10am
Interviews: Tuesday 18th June 2024
Start date: Immediate, subject to receipt of satisfactory references and enhanced DBS check.
Mandatory Training Dates: To be confirmed.
This post is restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1
Job Description
The First Contact Navigators play a central role in the CARA team, ensuring that our service users and other agencies receive a high-quality service from the moment of first contact. You will work as part of a wider team of First Contact Navigators across Esse and the post liaises with clients, the CARA team and external agencies, providing advice, support and information.
The First Contact Navigator will engage with individuals who are experiencing, or who have experienced, sexual violence and or sexual abuse who require information, signposting and short-term support. You will be the first contact and conduct first meetings, managing your own caseload and co-ordinating personalised support for individuals on their pathway to wellbeing. You will have strong communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to work under minimal supervision. You will support people who use CARA services to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, maximising their independence and engaging in appropriate community or clinical resources. You will work collaboratively with service users, the CARA team and other professional agencies to navigate and coordinate services.
The main responsibilities of the post are:
· To act as a first point of contact for new referrals and enquiries, providing information, emotional support, advice and signposting.
· To complete first contact calls and assessments with clients over the telephone.
· To ensure information about new referrals/enquiries is accurately recorded on CARA’s database in real time.
· To work collaboratively and build trust with service users, agencies, personal and professional support networks to collate relevant information to effect individualised support requirements.
· To assess and engage service users not currently engaged in appropriate specialist sexual violence services.
· To seek and respond to referrals from a variety of internal and external sources.
· To assist survivors and relatives/supporters of survivors in understanding the range of resources and services available to them.
· To support service users to engage effectively with appropriate services to meet their individual needs and aspirations.
· To work as a link between clients, CARA staff and external agencies, ensuring appropriate information is passed on.
· To work closely with the Essex-wide team of First Contact Navigators and Information and Referral Coordinators to ensure effective referral processes across Essex.
· To act as a point of contact for external agencies making referrals to CARA, answering queries about our referral process.
· To cover the enquiry line and the office phone and deal with enquiries as required.
· To pro-actively promote CARA’s services to external agencies, ensuring they are aware of our referral procedures.
· To contribute to development of promotional information, to ensure information about the referral process is clear and accessible.
· To attend regular team meetings and to work with colleagues to further the objectives of CARA.
· To adhere in full to all CARA’s organisational policies and procedures, including safeguarding procedures.
· To report to the Service Development Manager, Head of Operations, CEO and Trustees as required, including the production of regular written reports.
· To be administratively self-servicing.
· To undertake any other related activities as required by the Head of Operations, CEO or the Chair of the Board of Trustees.
· To take on new client, office and administration responsibilities as CARA develops.
About CARA
CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs.
CARA is a registered charity working with adults of all genders, young people and children from across mid and north Essex. We have a head office in Colchester and outreach premises in Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Great Dunmow and Harwich. We also provide remote services.
CARA seeks to be an inclusive organisation that actively encourages, supports and values diversity amongst both our service-users and our workers. We wish to create a culture in which discrimination, in all its forms, is recognised and addressed.
You can read more about CARA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion here. We encourage and welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.
About Synergy Essex
CARA is part of Synergy Essex – the Essex Rape and Sexual Abuse Partnership. We work closely with SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis) to deliver the contract for the Office for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex for services for victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse across Essex.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.