Here at Mercy UK we have a passion for God, passion for people and passion for excellence – this means we are committed to becoming an organisation where team members feel supported, valued and challenged to deepen their personal and professional growth. As an agile and fast-moving team, we seek to give our very best to what we do in attitude and activity.

As a Pastoral Support Worker, you carry heart and passion for the emotional, mental and spiritual health of the incredible women who are residents of the Mercy UK home. You have a unique set of skills; bringing together keen organisational and administrative skills with pastoral people skills. You are a cheerleader and at times, a coach to a diverse set of residents, all of whom are wired differently, with different learning styles, outlooks and life experiences but all of whom are united in their pursuit for freedom from life-controlling issues and into intimacy in their relationship with God, self and others.

You are safe hands as the primary point of contact and support for residents during evenings and weekends and your experience and abilities in pastoral support and communication equips you to deliver a fun yet informative schedule. You are able to perceive the needs of the group as well as the individual resident and you can hold these in tension. You are confident in your judgement and decision-making and understand the importance of working as a team and seeking guidance, where needed.

As residents wrestle through their own healing journey and put into practice all they are learning, you can prayerfully direct them, support and signpost them towards healthy choices and ways in which they can strengthen themselves in their own relationship with God, understanding that your best days are when you are in overflow in your own discipleship journey.

The post will include but is not limited to:

• Working innovatively with residents in their engagement with creative solutions and tools to improve their emotional, mental, physical and spiritual well-being.
• Offering accountability in a resident’s self-administration of medications and facilitating the provision of medical care, as directed
• Empowering residents to improve their confidence in the kitchen, cooking and food-handling
• Facilitating the residents’ evening and weekend engagement with their external support network such as her home church, friends, family and other support partners through scheduled internet/email, post and phone use
• Creating fun and dynamic workshops and activities based on your own hobbies and passions, encouraging residents to explore their own creativity and skills
• Cultivating a sense of safety and consistency in the home by facilitating a fun yet informative programme schedule on and off-site and communicating changes or delays appropriately to the resident group and where necessary, the wider team
• Facilitating constructive and healthy discussion of Christian teachings and theology, and demonstrating healthy and appropriate personal boundaries and conversation within the home
• Transport residents to and from offsite activities including to and from church services and hospital or doctors’ appointments
• Willingness to be disturbed during sleeping hours to offer support, prayer or sleep-aid guidance to residents requiring support
• Ensuring any significant matters are communicated appropriately and promptly to ensure resident needs are being handled with excellence across the team
• Connecting regularly with the Senior Programme Manager in a one:one setting and being willing to engage in reflective practice towards personal and professional development.
• Undertaking a variety of administrative tasks, as directed, and ensuring the efficient filing and security of resident personal, sensitive and confidential information, upholding discretion at all times and ensuring that resident information is processed in line with regulatory requirements.
• Presenting the vision and mission of Mercy UK and being willing to deliver training to Christian audiences of all denominations and backgrounds as well as bringing an example of healthy Christian leadership in line with Mercy UK’s statement of faith and lifestyle policies.
• Remaining discerning, innovative and open to change, offering your skills and support across the charity, as needed.
• Undertake continued training, be an active participant and show commitment to personal and spiritual development.
• Adhere to ethical practice, strict confidentiality, disclosure and safeguarding policies and use discretion at all times.