Community Outreach Worker

Job Title:        Community Outreach Worker

Reports to:     Head of Policy and Campaigns

Location:        Remote working

Salary:             £35,000

Contract:       18 months fixed term contract

Hours:             35 hrs per week. Office hours are 9.00 – 17.00

About the role

We’re looking for an engaging, empathetic and self-reliant outreach worker to join our dedicated team working to deliver support and practical advice to a community that has suffered as a result of the biggest treatment scandal in NHS history.

This is an opportunity to work for an organisation with a 75-year track record of effective advocacy for our small community of people living with genetic and acquired bleeding disorders and their families. Most importantly, this role has the potential to directly improve peoples’ lives.

Around two thirds of our members are impacted by the contaminated blood scandal of the 1970s and 80s, which was recently investigated by the Infected Blood Inquiry. The resulting report in 2024 recommended improved health resources for people with bleeding disorders as well as compensation and support for those infected and affected by the scandal.

Although significant progress has been made, there’s a lot more to do. Many of the community feel isolated and with the Infected Blood Inquiry now closed there is a need for people to maintain and develop connections with others that understand what they have and continue to endure. It is vital that the community has a safe environment to express their views and seek help and support.

Part of the role will involve supporting the future generations of affected families ensuring they have the support and care they need to live their best lives.

Background and purpose

We are the only UK-wide charity for all those affected by a genetic bleeding disorder, a community of individuals and families, healthcare professionals and supporters.

For more than 75 years we have campaigned for better treatment, been a source of information and advice and supported people living with life-long conditions.

We want to ensure that everyone affected by a bleeding disorder:

Lives the best life that they can

Never feels alone or isolated

Feels empowered and confident.

We do this by:

Improving understanding about living with a bleeding disorder

Providing support at all life stages

Influencing and advocating on policy and access to treatment.

More than 40,000 men, women and children in the UK have a diagnosed bleeding disorder, and the number rises every year. Membership of the Haemophilia Society is free and open to all.

Key responsibilities:

• Engage with the infected blood community to understand their ongoing needs and the support that could be of value.
• Develop and deliver a series of engagement events to support the community and fulfil the identified needs.
• Feedback to the Haemophilia Society issues, needs and concerns raised by the infected blood community.
• Engage with external stakeholders who support and deliver services for the infected blood community.
• Explore additional resources available that may be useful to the community and where appropriate develop additional resources.
• Liaise with other charities active in this space across the UK.
• Track engagement with events and gather feedback on the objectives of the meetings.

Qualities, skills, and experience

• Demonstration of the ability to work independently and the ability to develop and deliver a series of events.
• Experience of delivering support for a community.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to plan ahead, keep records, manage deadlines, prioritise workload and maximise your use of time.
• Ability to work in a team as well as to use individual initiative and judgement.
• Be an active listener who can treat people with respect and dignity and keep confidentiality.

Personal qualities

• A warm, compassionate and empathetic personality with the ability to develop positive relationships with people from all backgrounds.
• Resilience and ability to adapt to changing need and environment.
• Be an effective member of the team, recognising, respecting and promoting the different roles and diversity of the individuals in the team and presenting a positive impression of the team and THS.
•  A highly motivated, supportive and collaborative team worker.
• Values-driven with a proven commitment to social inclusion and equal opportunities.

Other requirements

• This role will require extensive travel throughout the UK and to work varying hours including evenings and weekends as required.
• This role will be home based with a requirement to visit the office in London for key meetings and events. 
• Due to the nature of our work with children and vulnerable adults, this role will require a DBS check and checks on previous employment.

What we offer:

Competitive Salary

Generous Pension

Private Healthcare

Contribution Agile Working

25 days’ holiday (pro rata) plus an additional day for each year of service up to 5 years

The Haemophilia Society is an equal opportunity employer.