Befriending service project worker jobs

Job description 

Job Purpose 

The hospital to home service works collaboratively with hospitals to support people when they are discharged from hospital to return home. As a Hospital to Home Outreach Worker, you will provide temporary, practical and emotional support to service users within their home and make sure they understand the care and local community services available to them.

The service is time limited, usually up to 4 or 6 weeks, to adjust and settle back in their homes. 

Key Tasks 

• Assess the needs of service user’s either in hospital before discharge, or in their homes, and understand what barriers and enablers there might be to moving home. 

• Aid the discharge process and improve patient experience through tasks such as:

• Key cutting

• Co-ordinating with colleagues for the setup of the home environment such as checking fridge for in-date food 

• Checking heating, electric and gas is functional prior to discharge 

• Allowing access to the property for cleaning/repairs and receiving equipment

• Provide and/or arrange the practical and emotional support needed to enable service users to return home and/or remain safely at home. 

• Be vigilant and make referrals/signpost for additional needs that our wider team, or partners can support. E.g. for benefit checks, energy advice, carers support, befriending.  

• Help maximise service user independence by adopting an enabling approach. 

• Develop a listening, caring and professional relationship with the service user and their families/carers. 

• Provide domestic practical support within the home such as:

• Light cleaning,

• Washing (e.g. bedding),

• Changing bed sheets etc. 

• Prepare and service drinks and simple meals with or for the service user ensuring nutritional needs are met. 

• Accompany service user outside the home e.g. hospital/GP appointments etc. 

• Support service users with other tasks e.g. making telephone calls on their behalf, reading and responding to correspondence, completing simple forms (training will be provided) as directed by the service user’s etc. 

• Ensure services provided by AUKEL in the community are safe and person centred. 

• Report safeguarding concerns, in accordance with AUKEL safeguarding procedures. 

• Provide cover in the case of sickness and annual leave periods of colleagues. 

• Support service user reviews, ensuring all visiting information is uploaded on to Salesforce. 

• Support volunteers in the team and provide support and guidance to their development. 

• Work with a range of professionals including: 

• Supporting health and social care professionals with patient discharge 

• Liaising with the hospital health and social care professionals (e.g. Social Workers) to facilitate smooth supported discharge. 

• Handypeople & contractors.

Administration  

• Input all records, reviews, and visiting information to service user’s case notes in a timely manner to maintain up-to-date and accurate records on Salesforce.

• Report all “no access” failed visits, or changes in service user’s condition or circumstances in accordance with AUKEL’s policies and procedures. 

• Ensure service user comment sheets are completed.

• Ensure service user’s feedback questionnaires are sent at the end of each intervention and record returns. 

• Submit travel expenses regularly for sign off by manager. 

Quality  

• Be familiar with and to implement AUKEL policies and procedures in line with our Values. 

• Ensure the service is delivered in accordance line with Care Quality Commission principals. 

• Ensure integration with other AUKEL projects, and service users are referred and/or sign-posted to appropriate support services available to them.

• Respond to safeguarding or other concerns and make appropriate reports and management action.

Liaison  

• Work in collaboration with other agencies providing support within the service user’s home. 

• Work under the direction of the service manager and project officer/s. 

• Represent AUKEL and participate in appropriate external meetings and events to remain aware of local, regional, and national issues affecting quality and compliance issues affecting care and home support services. 

 General 

• Meet regularly with your line manager for support, supervision, and appraisal. 

• Attend team and staff meetings, and other meetings as required. 

• Undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required from time to time for the continued smooth running of AUKEL. 

• Complete any training which is required to fulfil the role. 

• Carry out the duties of the post in accordance with AUKEL policies and procedures including Equal Opportunities, Mental Capacity, Deprivation of Liberty, Food Hygiene, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults etc. 

• Work within AUKEL’s expectations of professional boundaries and confidentiality 

 Functional Links  

• The post holder reports to the manager /or Project Officer. 

• Close working with NHS health & social care professionals. 

• Close working with AUKEL internal departments e.g. Finance Team, Information and Advice, Befriending services, Community services, and our Handyperson services.

• Close working with external partner agencies e.g. Food Banks, Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering, and Age UK Waltham Forest. 

Job Purpose 

The weekend Hospital to Home Project Officer is responsible for responding to referrals received over the weekend from both Royal London Hospital & Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. You will work with the manager on Friday to deliver services and plan visits on the weekend for you to attend.   
  

The service supports people returning after a stay in hospital, helping them to settle back at home, regain confidence and support with some practical tasks, e.g. shopping/cleaning. You will manage referrals, carry out assessments, and in liaison with the manager, allocate service users to Hospital to Home Outreach Worker caseloads. You will provide direct frontline support and co-ordinate visits to the service users’ home in preparation for their return home. You will work collaboratively to lead and manage the weekend service to support the smooth transition from hospital to home for service users. The service is time limited, up to 4 or 6 weeks, to adjust, build confidence, and settle back in their homes.    

You will also be required to undertake community-based outreach as part of service delivery, including visiting service users in their homes both pre-and post-discharge. This includes conducting access visits, welfare checks, and providing practical support such as shopping assistance to ensure a safe and sustainable transition from hospital to home. Over the weekend you be based in the hospital, with lone working visits to client’s properties for support.  

Key Tasks 

• Act as the first point of contact for all referrals over the weekend across both hospitals.  

• Meet with patients in the community and/or hospital and carrying out assessments and risk assessments.   

• Enter referrals on to AUKEL’s case management system Salesforce in accordance with GDPR guidelines.  

• Allocate referrals to Hospital to Home Outreach Workers using tech available Field Service App, training will be available.  

• Collect feedback from service users and upload to case management system.  

• Deputise for the manager at discharge planning and other meetings as required.  

• Monitor the case loads of each of the Hospital to Home Outreach Worker (HHOW) to ensure they are evenly and fairly balanced.  

• Work collaboratively with other agencies providing support services.  

• Work with people with a range of needs, dealing with issues ranging from social isolation and keeping people engaged in their community, to prevent unnecessary readmission to hospital.  

• Plan and develop person centred interventions to provide short term support for people after hospital discharge.  

• Deliver the front-line support services over the weekend such as:   

• Undertake home visits to service users pre- and post- discharge to support safe and timely hospital discharge.  

• Provide welfare checks to monitor service users’ wellbeing during post-discharge period.  

• Deliver practical, person-centred support during visits, including shopping assistance and other essential tasks to aid independent living.  

• Identify and respond to risks within the home environment, escalating concerns where appropriate  

• Provide occasional cover for the A/L of other Project Officers   

• 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.  

• Supervise, support and develop HHOWs and volunteers in your service.  

• Liaise with the handyperson service about referrals and jobs for service users.  

• Ensure HHOW are resourced to sign post service users to other services when the home and settle service intervention ends. 

Administration 

• Keep AUKEL’s case management system up to date, input all data, and ensure all referrals, interventions, time spent with service users are recorded.  

• Allocate referrals to HHOW using tech available Salesforce ‘Field Service’ App.  

• Ensure data collected meets the requirements of the service’s contract monitoring and key performance indicators.  

• Ensure service user feedback questionnaires are sent at the end of each intervention and record returns.  

• Ensure admin tasks relating to service users, HHOW or general admin is carried out in a timely and efficient manner. 

Quality  

• Be familiar with and to implement AUKEL policies and procedures in line with our Values.  

• Ensure the service is delivered in accordance line with Care Quality Commission principals.  

• Ensure integration with other AUKEL projects, and service users are referred and/or sign-posted to appropriate support services available to them.    

• Respond to safeguarding or other concerns and make appropriate reports and management action 

Liaison  

• Represent AUKEL and participate in appropriate external meetings and events to remain aware of local, regional and national issues affecting quality and compliance affecting care and home support services.  

• Work in collaboration with hospital colleagues including discharge teams, A&E, ward staff, community teams to support the successful discharge of people and reduce readmission.  

• Liaise with other AUKEL home and settle services across London and work collaboratively to maintain effective services, including sharing staff where appropriate.  

• Work closely with the AUKEL handyperson service to meet contractual obligations where a handyperson service is provided as part of the service.  

• Liaise with contractors to arrange deliveries and works to service user’s homes.  

 General 

• Meet regularly with your line manager for support, supervision, and appraisal.  

• Attend team and staff meetings, and other meetings as required.  

• Undertake any other duties within the competence of the post holder as may be required from time to time for the continued smooth running of AUKEL.  

• Complete any training which is required to fulfil the role.  

• Carry out the duties of the post in accordance with AUKEL policies and procedures including Equal Opportunities, Mental Capacity, Deprivation of Liberty, Food Hygiene, Health & Safety, Confidentiality, Complaints, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults etc.  

• Work within AUKEL’s expectations of professional boundaries and confidentiality  

 Functional Links  

• The Hospital to Home Project Officer is supervised directly by the Hospital to Home Manager.  

• Close working with NHS health & social care professionals.  

• Close working with AUKEL internal departments e.g. Finance Team, Information and Advice, Befriending services, Community services, and our Handyperson services.   

• Close working with external partner agencies e.g. Food Banks, Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering, and Age UK Waltham Forest.  

Reference Number: V580 

Job Title: Volunteer Coordinator  

Location:Flintshire - Home based with some local travel

Contract Type: Initial Fixed Term Contract until 28 February 2027

Hours: 21 hours per week

Salary: £15,375 pro rata (£25,625 Full Time Equivalent)

DBS: Enhanced Level DBS

Job Family: Job Family 3

Interview Dates: July 2026 TBC

Volunteering Matters  

Who we are

At Volunteering Matters, we believe people have the power to create change. Whether through volunteering by helping others and giving time, or through social action such as speaking up, campaigning, or leading change, everyone can make a difference. We bring people together to build stronger communities across England, Scotland and Wales, making sure everyone has the chance to get involved and create real change.

 
Creating stronger communities through the power of volunteering

Volunteering Matters is a nationwide charity that exists to create stronger communities through the power of volunteering. We work with local partners to develop impactful programmes that support individuals and communities across the UK.

Since 1962, we’ve used our influence to champion volunteering as a powerful tool to build a thriving, resilient society. Our projects are co-created with the people and communities we work alongside: an approach that encourages our participants to become future volunteers and leaders, not just beneficiaries.

We understand the pressures of day-to-day life and create flexible, inclusive opportunities for people at all stages of life. And beyond delivering projects on the ground, we use our voice to shape policy and practice – ensuring volunteering stays recognised, supported and sustainable for generations to come.

What we do
We help people of all ages and backgrounds get involved in volunteering and social action. We focus on making sure that everyone, no matter their situation, has the chance to take part. We work with local people.

How we do this
We support people to share their time and skills to help others and tackle big challenges in their communities.

· We remove barriers to volunteering and social action, making it easier for people who don’t always get the chance to take part.

· We listen to and amplify voices that aren’t always heard, helping volunteers and communities influence change.
 

·We help volunteers beyond their first experience, offering training, support, and pathways to new opportunities.
 

·We connect businesses with communities, creating meaningful employee volunteering projects.
 

·We show the impact of volunteering and social action, proving how it changes lives for the better.

Why Join Us? 
Every day, older people across Flintshire experience loneliness and social isolation. As our Volunteer Coordinator, you'll lead a project that connects people with friendship, support and their community. Working alongside an amazing group of volunteers, you'll help older people build confidence, improve wellbeing and live more connected lives.

About the role
We're looking for a Volunteer Coordinator to lead our Flintshire Befrienders project. You'll recruit, train and support volunteers, build partnerships and relationships across Flintshire, and ensure older people receive high-quality befriending support that helps reduce loneliness and improve wellbeing.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys working with people, building relationships and making a visible impact in their community.  A typical week might Include:

• Meeting a new volunteer who is interested in getting involved 
• Matching an older person with a new befriender who can support them
• Attending a community networking event
• Supporting volunteers on a 1:1 level
• Writing progress updates for our funders and supporters
• Planning a social activity, or a celebration event

Our Values & Way of Working

In all that we are guided by our values: Empowering, Inclusive, Compassionate, Positive & Straightforward. 

Diversity & Inclusion

Volunteering Matters welcomes all applicants and are keen to ensure our team reflects the diversity of the UK and the communities we serve. We encourage applications from disabled, LGBT and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, along with candidates with any protected characteristics and from disadvantaged groups.

Disability Confident & Reasonable Adjustments

We guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role. Please provide evidence in your application, which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required in the Job Description under skill and experience. To be considered for a guaranteed interview or to discuss any reasonable adjustments during the process, please state this in your cover letter. 
 

Benefits

Our employee benefits reflect our culture which is built on an approach of full flexibility with accountability, and designed to let you make your most positive contribution; we offer:

· Flexible Working by Default (re hours & place of work) 

· Unlimited Annual Leave 

·Employee Pension scheme 

·Life Assurance 

·Cycle to Work Scheme 

·Season Ticket Loan 

·Employee Assistance Programme 

·Enhanced sick and family leave.

·Lifestyle Discount Scheme

We are also open to discussing job share applications.

GDPR Statement

If you apply for a role with us, we will retain your contact details including your name, address, email address and phone number to help us manage your application for up to six months.  We will not use your personal data for any other purpose or share it with any third party. You can contact us at any point to update your personal information or ask us to delete it from our records.

Policy on AI-Generated Applications 

Applications are accepted on trust, and we expect all submissions to reflect the applicant’s own words, experiences, and motivations. While tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) may support the application process, applications should not be generated wholly by AI. 

To Apply

Please send an updated, complete CV and cover letter via the Charity Job Apply button above. In your application clearly state which role you are applying for. In the cover letter please demonstrate how you would fulfil the role requirements, what previous relevant achievements you have (both in life and at work), what skills & experience you can offer, and what you believe you can contribute to Volunteering Matters.

We welcome applications from everyone, but please note that if we receive an extremely large number of responses, we may close this advert early to fully consider applications. We encourage you to apply promptly so you don’t miss the opportunity to join our community.

Right to Work in the UK
Please note that while we hold a license to sponsor employees on a skilled worker visa, the number of applications we can make each year is very limited. Unfortunately, this role does not meet the criteria for sponsorship, therefore, you must already have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this position.

If you have any questions about current vacancies, the recruitment process, or need support, our team is here to help. You can contact us.