About Walford Community Support Scheme (WCSS)
Walford Community Support Scheme has been in operation since 2016. We aim to provide services to those who live within the parish of Walford who may be in need of help, either short or long term. We currently have around 25 people for whom we provide assistance, some examples of which include shopping, befriending and transport to appointments. In addition to ad hoc help, we have also been providing a programme of events which run on average once a month. This may include a trip to the cinema, a garden centre and lunch, flower arranging, bingo and local day trips. We rely on the support of around 20 volunteers also from within the parish. Our main objectives are to continue to support those already part of the scheme, but also to grow in order to help more people from our community.
The role would entail developing good relationships with our current service users, managing our programme of events, managing our safeguarding requirements, and maintaining and growing our network of contacts within the healthcare profession and local organisations such as Action Bus. The coordinator is managed and supported by the working group from the parish council and the role is accountable to Walford Parish Council. The role will be around 40 hours per month with flexibility required. Salary: £10-£12 per hour.
Role Purpose & key accountabilities
- Growing and supporting the WCSS service user base by working with other agencies/parish schemes/charities and GPs. This includes attending meetings, assessing needs of users both by phone and face to face, regular engaging communications to users, volunteers and partners.
- Growing and supporting the volunteer base by working with and motivating the volunteers.
- Matching the service users with volunteers ensuring appropriate safeguarding including DBS checks are kept up to date.
- Creating and coordinating an annual programme of events which includes ensuring mobility needs are met, booking transport, communicating and advertising the events to service users and volunteers.
- Running monthly coffee mornings ensuring transport needs of users are met.
- Basic financial administration which includes seeking relevant grants, submitting robust applications, managing petty cash, expenses and basic budgeting.
- Basic reporting requirements which includes; timesheets, monthly reports for the Parish council, relevant audit trails, keeping track (and ensuring they are up to date) User / Volunteer / Suppliers / Grant contact details / DBS checks.
- Attendance at monthly working group meetings.
Person Specification – Key Skills & Attributes
- The ability to work in a structured, organised and disciplined way to ensure high levels of service delivery.
- A creative approach is required to be able to evolve and expand the WCSS into the future. For example; organising trips for service users that are interesting, appropriate and safe.
- The ability to support, engage and motivate volunteers.
- A good grasp of safeguarding and risk assessment with the ability to apply policies appropriately.
- Basic financial management experience is required.
- Absolute discretion is needed with regards to the personal circumstances of service users and volunteers.
- Excellent interpersonal skills both written and verbal
Applications by submission of CV and covering letter. All applicants will either need to hold a current DBS certificate or be prepared to under the DBS clearance process.
