Temporary jobs

An opportunity to contribute to the development of crisis prevention pathways and services, as well overseeing existing essential crsiis prevention services. 

The postholder will ensure safe, effective, person-centred delivery across a range of service settings including Sanctuary, satellite locations, co-located models, and community-based interventions. A core part of the role involves developing crisis prevention strategies, ensuring services are accessible to all communities, and overseeing training and capacity-building across teams.

Harris Hill is seeking an Events Officer ASAP, to cover an interim permanent recruitment period at a national charity in London on a full time basis. 

Pay £14.99 plus holiday pay.

Scope of role

To manage an agreed portfolio of fundraising events, taking place throughout the year, and to provide high levels of supporter care, ensuring income and expenditure targets are met for each event.

To be a full and effective member of the Events Fundraising and wider Fundraising & Supporter Relations team, sharing best practice and working collaboratively with colleagues to maximise opportunities.

Experience:

Experience of working within a fundraising, marketing or customer service environment

Experience in event organisation

Customer relationship management experience including database management

Experience of executing marketing and communications plans through traditional and new media

Experience of working with agencies and suppliers

If you are immediately available and would like to find out more, please apply for more details. 

Join our team!

This is a great opportunity for someone to join our service supporting Unpaid Carers across Lewisham. In this role, you will work closely with Primary Care Networks, GP practices, local authorities, social workers, voluntary sector, community centres, and faith groups to help identify and engage with Unpaid Adult Carers, Young Adult Carers and Young Carers.  

In this role, you will support services to improve registration, communication, support and accessibility, promoting ‘Carer Friendly’ environments and practice that supports the wellbeing of Unpaid Carers.  

You’ll need to be able to develop effective relationships with key staff, agree action plans, establish communication pathways and provide updates. By collating and sharing successes, you will support the development of good practice across primary healthcare, social care and community services in the borough.

This is a 9 month fixed-term role and applicants will need relevant personal or professional experience of working with Unpaid Carers and/or vulnerable adults or children in a social care, health, education or voluntary and community sector. You’ll need a practical understanding of barriers faced by Unpaid Carers, and an awareness of cultural differences and access to services.  

You should be an excellent communicator and able to establish relationships at all levels. This is a full-time role.  

Make the change now.

Imago recognises its duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children, young people and adults at risk who access its services or with whom it comes into contact. We follow Safer Recruitment practices, and the post is subject to references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Applicants must have the Right to Work in the UK.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourage applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities.

If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.

We are looking for a temporary events officer for a passionate and collaborative disability charity. You will manage an agreed portfolio of fundraising events, taking place throughout the year. You will also provide high levels of supporter care.

This is hybrid role with 2 days a week in the London office and you will be needed until they recruit for the permanent role.

The Role
Lead on the delivery of a number of events from the agreed portfolio; both owned and third party events. Responsibilities to include researching an events feasibility, planning, marketing, recruiting participants, and evaluation. Providing high levels of supporter care and ensuring income and expenditure targets are met or exceeded for each event.
Where required, assist with developing business cases for new events, by following the established approval process, and evidencing your case with supporter-led insight, market research and financial and non-financial KPIs.
Work closely with colleagues in marketing, press and PR in producing and implementing a marketing and PR plan for all events within remit, including researching and developing publicity plans for individual events and contributing to the development of any printed materials, web content and social media.
Prepare and manage personal budgets, always looking for ways to increase income streams and decrease expenditure Manage relationships with internal,external suppliers, event providers and key stakeholders to ensure efficient event delivery and added value for participants.
Ensure that all challenge events are contracted, adhere to the law and that adequate health & safety measures are in place.
Supervise volunteers where necessary, both in the office and at events.
Work closely with colleagues on the development and implementation of a recruitment stewardship plan, including first contact, fulfilment, correspondence and administrative systems, to ensure maximum supporter satisfaction, income and retention.
Build long term relationships with supporters by creating a first class supporter experience, having regular contact through email, social media and telephone conversations.
Working with the Data team, implement communication plans for supporters to ensure that they are receiving the highest levels of support.

The Candidate
Experience of working within a fundraising, Supporter care, marketing or customer service environment
Experience in event organisation
Customer relationship management experience including database management
Experience of executing marketing and communications plans through traditional and new media
Experience of working with agencies and suppliers
Familiarity with Microsoft packages (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint)
Familiarity with social media channels (Facebook, twitter, Instagram)

IMPORTANT NOTE

Our aim is to respond to all successful applications within 5 days. If you haven't been contacted within 5 days your application has been unsuccessful and your details will not be held further but we positively encourage you to apply for any other positions that you may see in the future.

We apologise that we cannot contact everybody in person but thank you in advance for your interest.

Third Solutions encourages applications from individuals of all ages & backgrounds. Appointment will be made on merit alone but candidates must be able to demonstrate their ability to work in the UK. Third Solutions acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment & an employment business for temporary recruitment as defined by the Conduct of Employment Agencies & Employment Business Regulations 2003.

Your new company
My client is a large London-based charity.
Your new role
Our role is Finance Operations Manager within the AP team. This role will include:
- Management of a large team, circa 18 staff
- Mentor and develop existing team leaders
- Build key supplier and internal relationships
- Manage day-to-day processing of circa 20,000 invoices per month
- Lead the team through a particularly busy time, including with the transition to a new system
- Recruit and train new staff where necessary
- Design and implement working patterns and structure
- Reconciliation of aged creditors
- Produce KPIs and systems performance metrics
- Liaising with treasury operations to ensure correct funding is in place for payments
- Contribute to IT and Project focus groups, overcoming technical issues
- Train team leaders on staff mentorship, training and support
- Build and maintain relationships with suppliers and internal teams

What you'll need to succeed
In order to succeed, you will need previous experience of managing a large and successful AP team, as well as staff management and training experience.
What you'll get in return
In return, you will have the opportunity to work in a busy and vibrant team, developing staff and contributing to a high-performing environment.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk

Shieldfield Art Works (SAW) is a project of the Methodist Church in Newcastle upon Tyne which is seeking the wellbeing of the city through creative practice. We are seeking an experienced, enthusiastic individual to build up Shieldfield Art Work’s fundraising programme and contribute to our strategy. This is a vital part of our work as we seek to become more sustainable and resilient in an ever challenging climate. 

Our ideal candidate will have good experience in developing and implementing a robust fundraising strategy in order to take the strategic fundraising work of our community arts hub into a new chapter. You will also be able to articulate your active Christian faith, be able to explain SAW's Christian ministry and show ability to be able to write for both Christian and secular funders with different priorties.

You will need to be self-motivated and confident in your expertise. The role is suitable for candidates who are experienced in larger and multi-year applications to trusts and foundations (ideally in the cultural sector), developing individual giving campaigns and CSR channels, cultivating donor relationships and a good storyteller, to tell the story of and champion SAW. You must be motivated particularly by the social impact and outreach work that we deliver.

Closing Date: Tuesday 10th February, 10am

Location: At SAW/remote working

Contract Type: 12-month fixed-term

Period of work: March 2026 - February 2027

Rate of pay: £41,600 - £52,000 pro rata at 40 hours per week (£20-£25 per hour) based on experience

Number of days: 52 days, 8 hours per day

For full information on this role, including key responsibilities and person specification, please view the job pack.

About SAW

Shieldfield Art Works (SAW) is a project of the Methodist Church in Newcastle upon Tyne which is seeking the good of the city through creative practice. We are a team of artists who support others to be creative, and use our creativity to support others. We believe that the arts help us to articulate what it is to be human and that arts participation enables joy and flourishing in unique and unexpected ways. We are blessed with a gallery, workshop room and garden on our site in Shieldfield and so try to organise ways for these assets to be a blessing to our local community.

As a Christian organisation we believe each and every person has inherent worth, bearing the image of our creator. This motivates us to listen to and seek out those whose stories may not be being heard, so that we may better understand and love those around us.

We are particularly committed to our area of Newcastle, Shieldfield, just east of the city centre. We devise and commission art projects that tell Shieldfield’s story, and consider how stories from our local area relate to life outside of Shieldfield. In attempting to reflect a God who is interested in all areas of life, we are interested in the micro to the macro – art that speaks truths about the human condition, to art which speaks to the condition of our planet, and everything in between.

Our site in Shieldfield comprises a gallery, workshop room and community garden, from which we run:

• Four sessions of Painting for Fun each week

• Twice monthly Craft Action Collective sessions

• Gardening sessions (Shieldfield Grows) every week, with a pause in winter

• SAW Reflects events which provide time and space for deep thinking and conversation

• A programme of exhibitions in our gallery that changes throughout the year

• Our community garden is open to visitors all year round. 

Lead financial stewardship during a critical period of change

A well-established, mission-driven organisation working at the forefront of climate and environmental impact across Europe is seeking an Interim Chief Financial Officer to lead its finance function through a period of transition and organisational change.

Operating across multiple European jurisdictions, the organisation plays a key role in shaping policy, influencing decision-makers, and delivering practical solutions to some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. As activity and impact continue to scale, strong financial leadership is essential.

This interim role offers the opportunity to bring stability, rigour and clarity to the finance function while supporting senior leadership and trustees through a complex and evolving operating context.

The role

Reporting into the executive leadership team, the Interim Chief Financial Officer will have responsibility for financial operations, control, compliance and reporting across multiple charitable entities in Europe.

You will lead and develop a small, cross-border finance team, oversee external providers, and ensure that robust systems, processes and governance are in place to support the organisation’s mission and growth.

Key responsibilities include:

Financial management & control

• Maintain and strengthen a robust financial control framework

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, month-end and year-end processes

• Oversee accurate and timely financial processing across multiple entities

• Monitor grant-level and project-level financial activity, analysing and explaining variances

Statutory compliance & governance

• Lead external audit processes and manage relationships with auditors

• Ensure compliance with charity, regulatory, tax and VAT requirements across jurisdictions

• Act as a key point of contact with regulators and statutory bodies

• Support strong risk management and internal control practices

Reporting & insight

• Provide clear, timely and relevant financial reporting to senior management and board-level stakeholders

• Deliver analysis that supports strategic decision-making and organisational planning

Leadership & collaboration

• Lead, motivate and support a diverse, international finance team

• Manage third-party accounting and payroll providers against agreed service standards

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive culture and strong relationships with non-finance colleagues

• Work closely with income generation and programme teams to maintain oversight of funding and income

About you

You will be a qualified accountant with significant experience in senior finance roles, ideally within an international non-profit or mission-driven environment. You will be comfortable operating in complex, international settings and bringing structure during periods of change.

You will bring:

• Strong technical accounting and financial management expertise

• Experience of charity or non-profit governance, audit and regulatory compliance

• A hands-on, solutions-focused approach combined with strategic judgement

• Confidence engaging with senior leaders, boards and external stakeholders

• Experience leading and developing finance teams across borders

Why this role?

This is an opportunity to apply your financial leadership to work that has real-world impact — supporting an organisation influencing climate policy, environmental justice and sustainable finance across Europe. You will play a central role in ensuring the organisation remains resilient, credible and effective at a pivotal time.

For more information please contact Bryony Thomas via the Allen Lane agency site.

Green Alliance is an independent think tank and charity focusing on ambitious decisions for the environment. The finance assistant plays an essential role in maintaining control over our finances and operations.  This role will process and monitor financial transactions, liaise with our payroll bureau regarding staff payroll and pensions and support the head of finance.

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who has a strong financial background with excellent attention to detail, a flexible attitude, an ability to work effectively under their own initiative and as part of a small team, together with excellent organisation and administrative skills.

This is a temporary part-time role for two days a week until the end of March 2026, to start as soon as possible.

Key tasks and responsibilities

To process and monitor financial transactions, perform accounting reconciliations and help ensure that Green Alliance’s finances are accurate and up to date. Duties include the following:

• Prepare sales invoices and credit notes on our accounting system and email to customer. 
• Record purchase invoices and credit notes on accounting /system and allocate to correct expenditure and project codes. Obtain approval of invoices in line with our finance handbook.  Prepare fortnightly invoice payment run and enter to banking system for authorisation.
• Set up new suppliers on accounting system, completing Supplier Information Request forms and undertaking credit checks, where applicable.
• Processing of staff expenses, ensuring compliance with finance handbook, through to payment on banking system.
• Import credit card transactions to accounting system and prepare expense sheets for cardholders.  Once credit card expense sheet completed by credit card holder, agree to receipts and process for payment.
• Process, reconcile and pay monthly payroll run through a bureau.
• Help to prepare quarterly VAT returns, ensuring compliance with HMRC regulations and the agreed formula for recovery.
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations from bank import including allocation of all income and expenses to account codes.

For more information and to apply, please visit our website.

Supporter Care Coordinator

Temporary
Location: London (Hybrid - 2/3 days in the office)
Duration: 1 month +
Pay: £15.89 - £17.94 PAYE, plus holiday pay per hour

Online Interviews: Monday 19th January

Start: Wednesday 21st January

Charity People are delighted to be working with a health-related charity to recruit a Temporary Supporter Care Coordinator. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a passionate team and make an immediate impact.

You will play a key role in delivering exceptional supporter care, ensuring every interaction reflects the charity's values and commitment to its supporters. This is a varied role that requires strong organisational skills and a proactive approach.

Key Responsibilities:

• Respond to supporter enquiries promptly and professionally
• Process donations and maintain accurate records
• Provide administrative support to the fundraising team
• Ensure compliance with data protection and fundraising regulations

You will bring:

• Experience in a supporter care setting
• Understand the fundraising landscape
• Working experience of Raiser's Edge or similar CRM systems
• Be detail-oriented and able to manage multiple tasks

There is a quick turnaround for this role so please do not hesitate to apply.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Interim Finance Transformation Lead 

Immediate start - 3-month temp contract | Hybrid – 1 day per week in London

I am excited to be partnering with a well-known charity to appoint an Interim Finance Transformation Lead to drive fast, meaningful improvement across the finance function for 3-months.

This is a hands-on transformation role, not business-as-usual. Reporting to the Director of Finance and IT, you’ll cut through complexity, strengthen controls, and leave behind clear, well-documented processes and a more confident finance team.

What you’ll deliver:

• A rapid review of key finance processes including bank reconciliations, balance sheet controls, AP/AR, VAT, treasury, and intercompany.

• Clear, practical improvements that reduce risk and improve efficiency.

• Robust, SORP-compliant processes with simple procedure notes, templates, and controls.

• Upskilled finance staff who understand the “why” as well as the “how”.

• Visible progress and clear recommendations for senior leadership.

What we’re looking for:

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong charity finance experience.

• Proven interim with a track record in finance transformation and process improvement.

• Confident, pragmatic, and able to bring people with you.

• Advanced Excel and solid finance systems knowledge.

Why apply:

• Short, focused assignment with real impact.

• Senior-level exposure and autonomy.

• A chance to fix, strengthen, and future-proof a charity finance function.

Ideal for an experienced charity interim who enjoys making things work better, fast.

If you have the above skills and experience and are immediately available, please apply online today, I would love to have a conversation with you!

Key Responsibilities

Trust & Foundation Strategy Enhancement

• Develop and execute a trust fundraising strategy to increase income and position the Charity as a credible, evidence-led delivery partner for funders
• Meet income targets aligned with the Charity's growth strategy, to fund both core programmes and capital projects, prioritising multi-year funding opportunities
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospective funders, ensuring regular and meaningful engagement
• Craft compelling, tailored proposals, applications, and cases for support to secure major grants 

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruit a Trust Fundraiser and Prospect Researcher to support with identifying and evaluating potential donors
• Build a collaborative and inclusive team culture that values equity, wellbeing, and shared purpose 

Relationship Management

• Cultivate and steward relationships with existing and prospective trusts and foundations, ensuring they remain engaged with the Charity’s five-year Impact Strategy
• Provide exceptional reporting to funders, showcasing the impact of their contributions through updates, case studies, and financial reports
• Represent the charity at meetings, events, and site visits to inspire and engage potential funders 

Reporting & Compliance

• Monitor and evaluate the performance of trust fundraising activities, providing detailed reports to Senior Leadership and funders, as required
• Ensure compliance with all relevant fundraising regulations and best practices

Collaboration & Coordination

• Work closely with the Programme Manager and Capital Appeal Manager to develop well-costed, fundable programmes aligned with strategic priorities and with measurable outcomes
• Work closely with wider internal teams, including Programmes, Service Delivery, Finance, and Communications, to gather information, align messaging, and ensure funding requirements are met
• Collaborate with colleagues across other income streams to maximise crossteam opportunities and share insights on high-value prospects
• Ensure accurate record-keeping and tracking of relationships, proposals, and outcomes using the Charity’s CRM system

Knowledge & Experience

• Proven track record of securing five and six figure gifts from trusts, foundations, or institutional funders, including cold prospects, demonstrating confidence in donor acquisition
• Skilled in network mapping, prospect research and business development
• Demonstrable experience of working on major capital appeals or high-value fundraising campaigns
• Exceptional written communication skills, with the ability to craft persuasive and tailored funding applications
• Strong research and analytical skills to identify funding opportunities and align them with strategic priorities
• Excellent relationship management skills, with the ability to build and sustain long-term partnerships
• Experience using CRM systems to manage and track donor relationships and activities
• Experience in securing multi-year funding (desirable)
• Experience in line management, with the ability to motivate staff and nurture talent (desirable) 

Racing Welfare is the charity that looks after all horse racing’s people, other than jockeys, from the beginnings of their careers through and beyond into retirement.

As Digital Marketing Manager, you will be a key member of Racing Welfare’s Communications team, playing an important role in how the charity communicates with, engages and supports the racing industry.

This is an exciting time to join Racing Welfare as its communications and digital activity continue to evolve. With increasing focus on digital channels, campaigns and content, this role offers the opportunity to shape how Racing Welfare engages its audiences, promotes its services and delivers effective awareness and fundraising communications.

What you’ll do 

• Lead the planning, delivery and evaluation of Racing Welfare’s digital marketing and communications activity across owned digital channels.

• Support the Head of Communications in strengthening engagement, consistency, impact and growth across Racing Welfare’s digital communications.

• Line manage and support the Digital Marketing Assistant, providing development support in a fast-paced communications environment.

• Create and deliver clear, engaging digital content across social media, websites and email, working collaboratively with colleagues across all Racing Welfare's departments.

• Produce high quality marketing materials in house, including campaign assets, promotional materials and event programmes, using Adobe Creative Cloud, InDesign and Canva.

• Manage and develop Racing Welfare’s websites and digital platforms.

• Support awareness campaigns and fundraising activity through well planned, effective digital communications.

• Use insight and performance data to analysis and improve engagement over time.

• Attend welfare, fundraising and industry events where required, to capture content for digital channels.

What you’ll bring 

• Proven experience delivering high quality digital marketing and communications activity across multiple platforms.

• Strong creative and design capability, with experience producing marketing materials and publications.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong copywriting ability and attention to detail.

• Experience managing websites, with a good understanding of HTML, plus a working knowledge of SEO and content optimisation.

• Strong knowledge of digital analytics, reporting and performance measurement.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, prioritising competing demands, managing deadlines and adapting to changing priorities.

• Experience of line managing and/or supporting an assistant team member.

• Confidence using Adobe Creative Cloud, ideally including InDesign and Canva.

• Knowledge of, or experience working with, mobile or web-based app platforms is desirable, as is an interest in horseracing and or social welfare.

Racing Welfare is committed to creating a supportive working environment where people feel valued, connected, and able to thrive.

This is an office-based role located in Newmarket, with some travel within the UK required.

The closing date is Friday 30th January. We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date if we receive a large number of suitable applications. Interviews will be held during the week following the closing date.

Salary: £38,000 to £41,500 DOE

You will be offered a competitive salary, employer pension scheme, 25 days annual leave (rising to 28 with long-service) plus bank holidays, flexible working patterns to ensure a healthy work-life balance, life assurance, tickets to almost all race meetings at Jockey Club racecourses, twice-yearly two-day staff training and team building events along with a range of other employee wellbeing initiatives. 

As a group, wellbeing is at the forefront of all we do. We aim to be a leading employer in the industry and make sure everyone at Racing Welfare has the opportunity to thrive.

We strongly believe in being an innovative, diverse, and inclusive organisation and recognise that diversity in all our people will help achieve that purpose and our mission more effectively. We actively encourage and seek applications from a wide diversity of candidates.

Racing Welfare is committed to safeguarding and will always recruit all personnel in line with government guidelines, relevant legislation, and the Charity Commission's best practice guidance.

This post is not exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. We only ask applicants to disclose convictions which are not yet spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Racing Welfare’s Safeguarding Statement of Intent can be found on our website.

Racing Welfare is an equal opportunities employer.

We’re excited to be partnering with an international membership organisation, to source an interim Communications Specialist for 2 - 4 weeks whilst they seek to fill a longer term contract, on a part time basis.

We require a proactive, strategic thinker who can help tell their story to the world. If you’re a natural storyteller with strong digital writing skills, content execution and strategy experience, and a solid understanding of working in or with the charity or public sector, this could be the role for you.

The Role:

As Communications Specialist, you’ll support the delivery of strategic communications across digital, social, and campaign channels – helping shape global narratives and raise the visibility of key research, tools, and events. You’ll bring a collaborative mindset, creative energy, and a sharp eye for detail, with a particular flair for digital content and project coordination.

About You:

You’ll bring:

• Established communications experience, preferably in the charity, government or international development sector
• A strong track record in digital content creation and audience-focused storytelling
• Demonstrable experience in supporting events, research launches or campaign rollouts
• Excellent project management and coordination skills
• Strong stakeholder communication, both internally and externally
• Experience mapping audiences and designing targeted messaging strategies
• A good eye for design and understanding of visual identity

Quick facts:

• Remote role, with a strong preference for monthly meetups at the London office. If you enjoy being in the office, then you can be in the London office more. 
• 2-4 weeks but potential to apply for longer contract
• £32,000–£35,000 depending on experience
• Interviews held on a rolling basis – early applications encouraged.

Applications for the Communications Specialist will be reviewed on a rolling basis. For more information, please apply now!

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

Introduction

East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) working with Mind CHWF and other voluntary sector partners is delighted to offer a secondment as a community connector to support the mental well-being of people with complex mental health and social needs in the Neighbourhoods in City & Hackney.

This is a new role and we are looking to work with individuals from the voluntary sector to help us co-design and test out the role.  You will help to shape the role, working closely with people in Neighbourhoods to reflect their strengths, interests and ideas for what matters to them about good mental well-being.

You will be a welcome member of the multi-disciplinary (MDT) mental health team, with day-to-day managerial and professional supervision provided within the team. You will also be able to access training and other staff support within ELFT during this time.

Background

In the autumn of 2019 ELFT was successful in securing funding from NHS England (NHSE) for community mental health transformation. It is one of 12 national pilot sites. City and Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets are all part of the ELFT pilot. The aim of the transformation is to develop a model of support for people with serious mental illness (SMI) that recognises complexity and social determinants over and above diagnosis, and supports them through a blended team of voluntary sector, mental health and primary care staff to connect better into a range of activities in their neighbourhoods. The new teams are organised around City & Hackney Primary care networks (PCNs) / Neighbourhoods, and will provide wraparound support for people with varying levels of need. These teams will develop a rich understanding of population mental health need, and work with individuals, families, and communities to develop capacity for self-management, and provide local treatment and support for individuals when they need it.

The teams include the new community connector role. This will be someone from the voluntary sector, well connected in the neighbourhoods and bringing expertise in wider social support and well-being. We are working with voluntary sector partners to design and test this role.

Responding to Covid 19

Since the Covid 19 emergency began in mid-March much of the transformation programme has had to be adapted. ELFT is keen that where the transformation can support the Covid 19 response it should continue. In particular the role of the community connector could be valuable during the Covid 19 emergency and recovery.

The role obviously needs to be different and we will work closely with the connectors and the voluntary sector to design and test out the role. The description here is intended as a starter for ten to give some idea about the shape the role might take.

During the Covid pandemic, the community connectors will be part of the ELFT community MDT team, making links to specific Neighbourhoods. Also the face to face work in terms of assessments, interventions, group work, partnership working may need to be carried out differently. The role will now include:

· providing support to service users by phone/virtually

· connecting service users to the fast developing range of Covid 19 resources in each neighbourhood and keeping the mental health and primary care teams up to date about these resources and how to refer people to the/access them. Including supporting the new Neighbourhood MDTs as these develop.

· developing a good knowledge of all the online resources in each neighbourhood and connecting service users and staff to these

· we will keep the option for face to face work and group work under review, depending on the government guidance on social distancing. As lockdowns are lifted there may be some possibility to offer this type of support

The following five design principles have guided our model development to date:

1. Service users and citizens will be active, equal partners: leading the design, implementation, governance, and delivery of our new mode

2. We will integrate mental and physical health, wellbeing and social care: our services will feel fully integrated to service users and carers

3. The right support in the right place and the right time: services will be delivered in the PCN footprint, and service users will not be “bounced around” services

4. A focus on what matters to service users: care planning will look beyond health goals to life goals and wider determinants of health; and we will work to connect people to each other and their communities

5. Evidence-based interventions: Service users will be confident that our services provide the latest evidence-based care, treatment and support.

The role

The Community Connectors will support individuals to connect within neighbourhoods, and use local assets to self-organise.

Who you will support

The post-holder will work closely with individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and/or personality disorders (PD), developing an understanding of complexity in order to provide the most appropriate support. Some of the service users you will work with will have been supported by community mental health recovery teams, seen in outpatients and are not care co-ordinated, so could be better supported by their local neighbourhood team. Other service users will be on primary care SMI registers and likely to benefit from additional support, but do not meet the thresholds for traditional secondary care. Other people might not be known to our services currently, and could benefit from the more personalised, local, holistic offer you will be developing.

Your approach

The ethos of this work will be recovery focused, move away from a traditional referral model, blur the boundaries between primary and secondary care, explore needs through complexity (rather than diagnosis), focus on a person’s strengths and assets, and focus on the wider determinants of health and wellbeing. This approach is as important as your experience and expertise. You will develop a strengths based biopsychosocial assessment, and supportive approach, and work with colleagues and local people to develop the MDT approach in its infancy. 

Although not exhaustive, below is a list of the skills and responsibilities that may be required:

Individual Support

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills. It is important that you listen to service users and carers to find out what is important to them, and that you build open, supportive and trusting relationships (working with the challenges of not meeting face-to-face, at least initially, due to the current Covid-19 public health crisis. We will keep the option for face to face work and group work under review, depending on the government guidance on social distancing. As lockdowns are lifted there may be some possibility to offer this type of support.)

· A strong sense of what factors influence health and wellbeing.

· The ability to assist service users in setting goals and making changes that are meaningful to them.

· You will conduct regular innovative and engaging sessions (currently with individuals, over the phone) in order to work towards support plan goals.

· You will ensure ongoing assessment and management of risks within an attitude of 'positive risk taking'.

· You will give people time to tell their stories and focus on ‘what matters to me’, build trust, providing non-judgemental support, respecting diversity and lifestyle choices.

· You will use health coaching and motivational interviewing techniques, identify barriers to people accessing services, and work with service users to overcome these. You will support people to identify the wider issues that impact on their health and wellbeing, such as debt, poor housing, employment circumstances and unemployment, loneliness, isolation and caring responsibilities.

· Where people may be eligible for a personal health budget, help them to explore this option as a way of providing funded, personalised support to be independent, including helping people to gain skills for meaningful employment, where appropriate.

Community Development

· You will act as the ‘glue’, linking people in with experts and local assets, and undertaking support work in partnership with external stakeholders to complement their interventions.

· You will stay up to date with the constantly developing environment, local offer, and national policies, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Significant experience in local statutory and/or voluntary sector services.

· You will have a deep knowledge of City & Hackney (or a specific local area or demographic), what is available locally and how to signpost and support people (network creation, mapping).

· You will develop productive relationships with local partner organisations to improve service outcomes, and involve service users and carers in the design, development and delivery of the service.

· You will need to triage referrals and signpost to specialist support quickly where necessary, and deal with general queries to contribute to the overall smooth running of the neighbourhood team.

· Where appropriate, introduce people to community groups, activities and statutory services, ensuring they are comfortable.  Follow up to ensure they are happy, able to engage, included and receiving good support.

· Where appropriate you will connect people to each other through shared common interests and the need for mutual support.

· You will have the ability and drive to build networks with local community resources such as activities and services that may have an impact on health and wellbeing, and support individuals to access these. To be proactive in encouraging self-referrals, and connecting with all local communities.

· You will work in partnership with existing community navigation roles in City & Hackney.

Project Management

· You will monitor and record outcomes of all those accessing the service through the use of recognised assessment tools and outcome measures. With the wider team, you will gather and collate statistical and other information and data as required, reporting on activity and outcomes and ensuring effective qualitative and quantitative monitoring and evaluation of the services.

· You will help to develop and adapt this role as the societal circumstances we are operating under change (as the Covid-19 public health situation develops and/or social distancing is relaxed).

General

· You will reflect on practice and participate in team meetings, practice development forums and peer supervision. You will identify own training and development needs in conjunction with your Line Manager and participate in training opportunities.

· You will develop an awareness of local and national developments and best practice in this area of work and to attend relevant conferences, meetings and training events as required.

· You will adhere to organisational policies and procedures relating to risk and personal safety. You will refer all safeguarding issues in line with local policy.

· You will manage volunteers and other team members as required.

· You will identify issues relating to systemic challenges and disconnects, and report these to the Programme Manager, developing an eye for service improvement opportunities.

Person Specification

As a community connector, you will become a local expert, gathering and sharing information about local opportunities, activities, and support, bringing people together and supporting them to remain confident and independent in their everyday lives.

We are looking for community connectors with experience supporting with people with their mental health, with significant experience in statutory and/or voluntary sector services, knowledge of City & Hackney (or a specific local area or demographic), and strong interpersonal skills.

Skills and experience:

Person Centred

- Enjoys social interaction and the company of others.

- Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour. Is approachable and open-minded.

- Prefers working as part of a group or team.

- Has a practical and logical mind.

- Well organised and knows how to prioritise tasks. Able to plan own workload.

- Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments.

- Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication.

- Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person-centred support in a non-judgmental.

- Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential.

- Experience of supporting people, families and care in a related role (including unpaid work).

- Experience of supporting people with their mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity.

Community Development

- Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities.

- Able to work from an asset-based approach, building on existing community and personal assets.

- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with people, their families, carers, community groups, partner agencies and stakeholders.

- Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals.

- Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity.

- Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude.

- Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour.

- Demonstrates a desire for continuous professional development.

- Experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement (including unpaid work).

- Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations.

Knowledge:

- Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities and how adverse circumstances and structural barriers can affect people's relationships

- An understanding of the experiences of people who live with significant mental distress.

- Knowledge of community development approaches.

- Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports.

- Knowledge of motivational coaching and interview skills.

- Knowledge of voluntary and community services in the local neighbourhood.

Essential:

- Educated to GCSE level (or equivalent by experience).

- NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent.

- Significant experience in statutory or voluntary sector services.

- IT literate.

Desirable:

- Mental Health First Aid or willingness to work towards the qualification.

- Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent experience.

- University degree and/or professional qualification.

- Experience of delivering peer support groups.