Surrey jobs in guildford, surrey

Job Overview

We are seeking a proactive and enthusiastic Operations Assistant to support our team and ensure the smooth operation of our office. This is an exciting opportunity for a self-motivated professional to join our warm and friendly mental health charity. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys providing hospitality, supporting mental health initiatives in nature, and ensuring efficient office and field management. The successful candidate will be responsible for, assisting with nature-based mental health activities, and supporting the team and office needs.

The nature of the role may require flexible hours such as occasional evenings to cover monthly volunteer training evenings and other annual events as necessitated by the needs of the charity.

Dose of Nature

Dose of Nature is a mental health charity whose objective is to improve the mental health and wellbeing of individuals through increased engagement with the natural world. Our work is rooted in a wealth of scientific evidence that demonstrates the physiological and psychological benefits of spending time in nature.  We deliver ‘nature prescriptions’ to people referred by their GP with a wide range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction. Our Dose of Nature Prescription Programme is overseen by psychologists and is a genuine alternative to both medication and more traditional psychological interventions. Through a combination of education, first-hand experience, and practical and motivational support, we aim to encourage a greater connection with nature and inspire lifestyle changes that will have a significant and lasting impact on mental wellbeing.  Dose of Nature is a fun, supportive and lively organisation that encourages creativity and independence, as well as a strong sense of working together as a team.  

Key Responsibilities

Hospitality & Wellbeing Support:

• Greet all guests, acting as the first point of contact between the team and external stakeholders visiting 1 Wharf Cottage, namely our clients, volunteers and partners.
• Prepare and serve teas, coffees, and refreshments to clients, volunteers and visitors, fostering a welcoming atmosphere.
•  Assist the operations and psychology team with daily administrative tasks, including managing scheduling meetings and client assessments / reviews.
• Assist in the set-up and facilitation of nature-based mental health group activities, providing support to the group leaders and facilitators (where required).
•  Support the team in ensuring a comfortable and supportive workspace.

Event Coordination: 

• Assist in coordinating and executing group sessions, meetings, events and wellness workshops as required.Support logistics, venue setup, and participant coordination for monthly, quarterly and annual events.
• Provide on-the-ground assistance during events, activities and group sessions.
• Oversee the purchase of supplies, including food and drinks, for our monthly volunteer evening events.
• Provide evening and / or weekend support at our bi-annual social events for our client base, volunteers, and donors (dates are always arranged well in advance). 

Operational & Administrative Support:

• Provide general support for the day-to-day operations of the office, ensuring a productive, efficient and well-functioning working environment. Assist the Operations team in scheduling and coordinating client assessment and review appointments, workshops, and mental health activities in nature.
• Act as a point of contact for staff and volunteers, addressing logistical and office needs.
• Manage office supplies, ensuring restocking and organisation.
• Liaise with vendors and maintenance services as needed.
• Provide other general administrative support to the psychology and operations team, including making online orders, liaising with printers, and preparing resources for training events.

The attached Job Description sets out further requirements of the post but is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and the postholder may be required to undertake such other duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected of an employee of this grade.

DFN Project SEARCH offer an evidence-based supported internship model which takes place entirely in the workplace.  The programmes provide continuous support to young adults with a learning disability, and autistic people who are aged between 16 – 24 with an Education Health and Care Plan, or equivalent, in their final year of education.

You will be required to identify opportunities to develop and grow DFN Project SEARCH programmes across a geographical area with the aim of supporting the organisation to ensure that as many people as need it have access to DFN Project SEARCH programmes.

In addition, you will be required to develop strategies to ensure that the operational programmes in your area are achieving at least the average outcomes expected for young people in our programmes and so you must be committed to continuous improvement.

You will be specifically required to develop strong partnerships and train and support colleagues within your area. You may also be required to support colleagues promoting DFN Project SEARCH in other areas, further European projects as required and contribute to the development of relevant UK focussed materials.

As a Programme Specialist you will be expected to:

• Demonstrate effective project planning and preparation so that each project delivers achieves the highest quality programme possible and outstanding employment outcomes for the interns.
• Establish effective working relationships with schools, colleges, local authorities, employers and the project professional staff to promote the building of excellent, high quality partnerships at each site to ensure the effective running of programmes and promote sustainability in a volatile environment.
• Take an active part in decision making, planning and audit processes of each project
• Ensure that you implement DFN Project SEARCH policy and have a clear understanding of required quality standards and criteria which constitute effective teaching and learning
   

We are looking for an additional Community Engagement Officer to join our team working on a contract we hold with the Care Quality Commission. 

Do you live in the south of England? (Please note that this role is remote but you should be based in the south of England and will be required to travel within that region).

Do you have a range of excellent communication skills?

Do you have the skills and experience of engaging with a diverse group of individuals, organisations and groups who represent seldom heard communities?

Are you able to provide outstanding customer care and represent Choice Support in a positive and professional manner to both internal and external agencies?

Are you able to be home-based and have the ability to travel to different locations in the South of England?

Do you want to develop your skills, knowledge and experience of inclusion and diversity and work closely with our Care Quality Commission colleagues?

Then this is the role you’ve been looking for!

What we are looking for:

· A thorough understanding of inclusion and engagement work

· A thorough understanding of seldom heard communities

· To be able work to a high standard with a demanding and ever-changing workload

· Good communication and presentation skills

· Enthusiasm and a positive attitude

· The ability to manage and prioritise a demanding workload

What you’ll receive in return:

· A supportive and collaborative team

· Training and development

· Attendance bonus

· 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

· Life assurance

· Discounted shopping vouchers

About Us

The South East Rivers Trust (SERT), is the river restoration charity for the South East of England. Our vision is that rivers across the south east are clean, healthy and rich in biodiversity. Our mission is to restore and protect rivers and their catchments against multiple threats and a dramatically changing climate. We do this by:

• delivering evidence-based and nature-based solutions on land and in rivers;

• inspiring and empowering more people to protect rivers for the future.

Working at SERT is rewarding, fulfilling and busy. We work collaboratively and with passion, and this is reflected in our core values of: delivering high quality work, using expertise and scientific understanding, building good and effective relationships, and bringing positive energy to all we do. With rivers and catchments needing serious action to survive, our aims are growth and impact – so you’ll be comfortable with challenges and excited by change. If this sounds like an environment that you would thrive in, we would love to hear from you.

Bring your environmental passion for rivers to life!

Are you a competent Administrator, who prides themselves on their attention to detail and excellence?  Would you like to work with the Finance Team for a charity who is invested in improving and making a real difference to our rivers here within the South East of England, which hosts some of the rarest Chalk streams on the planet.

About The Role

We are a small charity which is expanding and looking to provide additional administrative support for our busy teams.  We have an exciting opportunity to join the South East Rivers Trust and become part of the small and dynamic Finance and Operations team, sitting at the heart of the organisation. This role reports directly to the Finance Director and will provide administration for this and other teams in the organisation. 

The General Administrator role has been created to support with a variety of tasks, including calendar management for catchment meetings, which are hosted both in person and virtually, across the region.  In addition to logistical arrangements of these meetings, the successful applicant will support with all aspects of hosting, including minute taking.  The role will also  support the research, writing, collation and management of documents, for internal and external circulation.  Other tasks will include supporting with budgets, expenses and invoices, requiring confidence in dealing with numbers, spreadsheets and suppliers.

The role would suit an individual with a strong administration background, who is approachable and organised, has excellent attention to detail, able to work on their own or as part of a team.  It involves liaising  and following up with all teams, to ensure internal and external stakeholders are communicated to in a timely manner with relevant information.  This is an ideal position for someone with excellent Microsoft office skills, strong communication abilities and a genuine interest in making a positive impact.  It will cover a variety of duties and afford the successful applicant the opportunity to learn more about the work we do in restoring our natural environment.

To be successful, they will need to be able to multitask, be proactive and have a confident manner, an excellent communicator who is inquisitive and able to work independently.  Additionally, they will have a positive attitude, with a willingness to assist the whole team with other administrative tasks as and when required. 

This role is a mix of working from home, with at least one day per week, (on a Thursday), working in the office in Leatherhead and attending regular in person meetings held across the entire SERT area.   

This is a full time role, which may require attendance at some adhoc meetings outside of office hours.

The deadline for application is 11:59pm on Sunday 11th May 2025.  We reserve the right to close the recruitment early.  Please visit our website for full details of the opportunity together with how to apply.

Interviews will be in person at our Leatherhead office, potentially w.c. 19th May.