Wellbeing and Engagement Coordinator x 2

SADFB is an independent charity and a member of the Trussell Trust Foodbank network. Our mission is the prevention or relief of poverty in the local area. We are a volunteer-based organisation within excess of 100 fantastic active volunteers supporting the breadth of operations from warehousing to client facing distribution centres. 

The main purpose of this role is to identify broader needs of clients and work to facilitate their engagement with third party agencies in order to find long lasting solutions to their need for Foodbank support. 

SADFB believe that helping clients adopt a more holistic approach, connecting people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support will help reduce isolation and improve their overall physical and mental health. 

Supporting clients to become better able to cope & less reliant on foodbank provision is consistent with SADFBs long term ambition to eradicate the need for foodbanks. 

Nature of role & reporting line:

• Flexible working, but with an active presence throughout our distribution centres based in and around St Albans District.
• Two posts required 2 x 20 hours per week or more (hours can be discussed at interview) -occasional evening & weekend working.
• Reporting directly to the SADFB CEO. 

Primary responsibilities

• Work with partner agencies to agree criteria to identify clients with referral needs.
• Work with DC volunteers to help them understand welfare role & how to identify clients with referral needs and steps required to support their engagement with SADFB’s welfare support 
• Develop & maintain strong awareness and connection with support agencies and groups to ensure referrals / signposting is relevant and facilitated
• Proactive in encouraging referrals and connecting with all local communities, particularly those communities that are hard to reach. 
• Meet clients and build trust, providing non-judgemental support, respecting diversity, and lifestyle choices. Work with individuals & third-party referrers to produce and agree a simple personalised support plan.
• Attend local events, and online networking forums.
• To produce monitoring reports and updates (inc. equal opportunity assessments) on periodic basis to inform Board / CEO / volunteers. 
• Develop signposting materials for use by distribution centre volunteers in pointing clients to other local agencies for additional support.
• Develop materials for use in the signposting training of distribution centre volunteers & to assist with the delivery of that training.
• Schedule and help facilitate team meetings for volunteers.
• Assisting the CEO in ensuring safeguarding procedures are understood & implemented to make certain that Foodbank distribution centres are safe places for clients & volunteers and that client confidentiality is respected.
• Work with the CAB on client food and energy vouchers to be issued.

Requirements:

• Experience of working in a social welfare / social care context / supporting people with their mental health / including with volunteers and small community groups.  Knowledge of VCSE and community services in the locality. 
• Highly developed interpersonal skills and ability to build effective relationships with clients, volunteers and community partners
• Experience of partnership/ working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations.
• Experience of volunteer management and engagement.
• Experience of data collection and to produce management reports & updates requested by the line manager. 
• IT proficient, including use of word and excel to create plans and reports. 
• Excellent communicating and active listening skills being able to empathise with people and provide person centred support in a non-judgemental way. 
• Able to work with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles, and diversity, especially those from marginalised, or socially excluded backgrounds.
• The ability to work in a changing environment and think outside the box to achieve positive outcomes for clients.
• Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively with people at all levels 

Requirements for ways of working at SADFB:

Equality and Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I)

• A positive attitude towards ED&I creates an environment where all individuals can achieve their full potential.
• Clients and their families have the right to be treated fairly and routinely involved in decisions that affect the support they receive.  Food bank staff and volunteers have the right to be treated in an environment where diversity is valued, and equal opportunity protected.

Safety, Health, Environment and Fire

• SADFB is committed to supporting and promoting opportunities for staff to maintain their health, wellbeing and safety.
• The post holder is to manage and assess risk within their area of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff, volunteers & clients.
• All personnel have a duty to take reasonable care of health and safety for themselves, colleagues and clients they work with.

Confidentiality 

• SADFB is committed to a confidential service. Clients entrust us to support them and they have the right to expect that all information is kept confidential.  Private information concerning the management of the Foodbank should also be kept confidential.

Quality and Continuous Improvement

• To preserve and improve the quality of SADFB outputs, all staff are required to think not only of what they do but how they achieve it. By continually re-examining our processes we seek to develop and improve the effectiveness of the way we work. We promote a culture of continuous improvement where everyone is encouraged to make suggestions and contributions to improve our service delivery and enhance client experience.

Managing information 

• All staff should use technology and appropriate software as an aid to planning, implementing and monitoring client support and in presenting and communicating information. 

Learning and Development

• The effective use of training and development is fundamental in ensuring staff and volunteers are equipped with a broad range of skills, knowledge, attitude and competence to perform their role.  It is expected that the post holder will assess their own learning needs and those reporting to them and to provide and undertake training & development opportunities as appropriate.
• The post holder will seek to mentor team members, share good practice and inform others about current and future developments.

Collaborative Working

• The post holder is expected to recognise the significance of collaborative working and understand their own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time.  The post holder will prioritise their own workload and ensure effective time management strategies are embedded.
• Teamwork is essential in a diverse team and the post holder is to work as an effective and responsible team manager & member, supporting others and exploring mechanisms for new ways to working.

Additional Information 

• This job description sets out the key tasks and responsibilities. It is not intended to be comprehensive. It is essential that it should be regarded with a degree of flexibility so that the changing needs of the organisation can be met.
• This job description will be reviewed with the post holder annually as part of the appraisal process. Any proposed amendments will be with the agreement of the CEO