JOB TITLE: Befriending Officer
BASED AT: Cynon Linc & community
HOURS: 20 hours a week over 3 days (to include Friday mornings)
CONTRACT LENGTH: Fixed term until end of March 2027 due to maternity leave cover
SALARY: £13,621.38
RESPONSIBLE TO: Volunteer Coordinator
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Volunteers
About Age Connects Morgannwg
Age Connects Morgannwg is a charity supporting older people across Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf. We provide a wide range of information, advice, and services to help people stay independent, safe, and connected for as long as possible.
Our dedicated team of staff and volunteers deliver services including dementia support, hospital discharge, nail cutting, information and advice, befriending, and we also run a vibrant community hub in Aberdare.
Volunteers support many of the services offered by Age Connects Morgannwg and are a valued part of our team. As a Befriending Officer you will take the lead on delivering the Reaching Out Befriending volunteer project while supporting the Volunteer Coordinator in the delivery and development of volunteering across the charity.
General Responsibilities
- Embed and develop the Reaching Out Befriending Project which currently offers face‑to‑face and telephone befriending for isolated people over 50 in RCT and Merthyr Tydfil. Recruit, train, support and match Befriending volunteers for 12‑week placements.
- Process Befriending referrals to assess client needs, complete support plans and risk assessments, and guide volunteers in setting achievable wellbeing goals with their matched client.
- Communicate frequently with Reaching Out volunteers to ensure they are satisfied, supported and well‑placed including support & supervision sessions for volunteers and service reviews for clients.
- Collect, input and analyse Reaching Out data (both qualitative and quantitative) for clients and volunteers through our CRM database for funding reports and to support operational developments as requested across the charity. Regularly input volunteer recruitment and supervision data, including processing DBS applications where appropriate.
- Support the Volunteer Coordinator in organising and supervising teams of volunteers running community events, including the weekly Coffee Morning at Cynon Linc and other ad‑hoc events as required.
- Support the Volunteer Coordinator in organising the annual Christmas Card Appeal; engaging with schools, local businesses and communities to collect Christmas cards to be distributed to isolated older people in community and residential care settings.
- Support the Volunteer Coordinator in working towards the Quality in Befriending Award through the development of best practice processes and procedures.
- Actively source and recruit volunteers through various channels (social media, website, community events etc.).
- Identify and arrange for appropriate training of volunteers when needed.
- Complete regular training in Data Protection, Safeguarding Adults, Confidentiality and EDI to ensure the rights, dignity, welfare and privacy of service users and volunteers is always maintained.
- Secure the commitment of volunteers involved in the charity and ensure volunteers feel their contribution to the charity is valued.
- Work in partnership with other voluntary and statutory organisations; attend volunteer and community meetings or events as needed and actively promote the services provided by Age Connects Morgannwg.
- Actively participate in relevant team and group meetings, role supervision and CPD activities as required. Ensure the purpose of the charity is clearly communicated and embody the values and mission of Age Connects Morgannwg at all times.
- The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description are not exhaustive. The postholder may be required to undertake additional or alternative duties within their capabilities, as reasonably required to meet the needs of the business.
All staff/volunteers working for Age Connects Morgannwg are expected to respond appropriately to any concerns that they may have regarding the abuse/inappropriate treatment of adults at risk. The protection of adults at risk is a core responsibility at all times.
The above is a broad definition of the job responsibilities. It does not take into account every aspect of the job which the jobholder may be required to perform. Flexibility is essential since the jobholder’s working hours will be determined by the requirements of the organisation.
PERSON SPECIFICATIONS
Knowledge/Education
ESSENTIAL
- Good general standard of numeracy and literacy.
- Knowledge of procedures and guidelines relating to best practice in volunteer recruitment, management and retention.
- Knowledge of safeguarding, risk, data protection and confidentiality requirements in providing services for potential adults at risk and volunteers.
DESIRABLE
- Knowledge of the communities and current service provision for older people across RCT, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend.
- Understanding of the operational requirements of running a successful Befriending Project with older adults.
Skills/Abilities
ESSENTIAL
- Excellent organisation and project management skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to deliver presentations, volunteer training and media briefings / interviews relating to volunteering projects with ACM.
- Ability to identify, recruit and retain volunteers that match the values of the charity.
- IT skills, in particular a good working knowledge of Excel and Word, and the ability to accurately capture and record client and volunteer data.
- Ability to write reports and collate information into meaningful statistical data.
DESIRABLE
- Ability to communicate in Welsh.
- Able to use CRM systems.
Experience
ESSENTIAL
- Experience of successfully recruiting volunteers through various channels.
- Experience of supporting and managing volunteers.
- Experience of working with adults at risk.
- Experience of working with and involving statutory and community organisations.
DESIRABLE
- Experience of working with and/or supporting older people.
Personal characteristics
ESSENTIAL
- Able to maintain confidentiality at all times.
- Compassionate and knowledgeable about the needs of older people.
- Able to work as part of a team and independently.
- Able to adopt a flexible approach to working hours as needed.
DESIRABLE
- A pleasant outgoing personality.
Other requirements
ESSENTIAL
- Able to travel to different locations as per organisational needs.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.
- Please note that an Enhanced DBS is required for this role.
Why Work For Us?
- Family friendly employer
- Mileage allowance
- Discount at Cynon Linc
- Access to independent financial advice
- Workplace wellbeing scheme
- Employee assistance programme
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