Pioneer Family Well-being Coordinator

**About us**

The parish of Agherton is situated in Portstewart, a seaside town on the North coast (present population 13,000+). The Church is dedicated to St John the Baptist and was consecrated for worship in 1841. Agherton Parish, is a thriving church family in the heart of Portstewart. In 2019 the Rector and Select Vestry recognised the need for a more holistic approach to ministry and this vision led to the pioneering appointment of two qualified nurses to the church’s ministry team. The nurses, as advocates for parishioners, care for their well-being through regular visits, educational talks, support and advice. Recognising the success of this type of ministry in the community as well as the church, the Rector, unanimously supported by the Select Vestry, was challenged to extend this type of ministry to encompass the particular needs of young families post covid.

To this end, in 2023 the Rector commissioned a comprehensive children's and youth strategy report which considered afresh the landscape of youth and children's ministry within the parish and the wider community of Portstewart. As well as reviewing existing provision for children and young people in the parish, the document provided the basis for a new pioneering and radically different strategy for children's ministry to those with little or no connection to the church.

The findings of this report were clear and compelling as the parish discerned a new vision for an outreach into the community. The report highlighted a significant opportunity for the parish to have an impact on the well-being of families through the introduction of a dedicated Pioneering Family Well-Being Coordinator. The introduction of the Pioneering Family Well-Being Coordinator will support an in-reach into existing parish children’s work and the radical pioneering outreach to those families with little or no connection to the church.

Job Overview:
We are seeking an experienced person for this part time position to work with the Rector, Parish Nurses and volunteers within the Parish Ministry team. This position seeks to deliver support and care to families living in the Portstewart area.

**Duties**:

- Deliver the radical vision for outreach set by Agherton Parish as a Pioneering Family Wellbeing Coordinator.
- Visit and build relationships with local families.
- Signpost to appropriate statutory and voluntary services where appropriate.
- Facilitate Parish Health Fair support days.
- Support existing Parish Parents and Toddler group.
- Focus on support to young families, single mothers and families with children with additional needs.
- Receive and provide referrals for family contacts.
- Develop and facilitate new and innovative projects, in line with the vision and remit of this post.
- Bring families together, providing a safe supportive place and build a new community of faith among families with little or no connection to the church.
- Work towards tackling loneliness and isolation by being a listening and empathetic ear to families.

**Skills**:This role will require someone who:

- Is able to work as part of the team.
- Is professional and confidential in all aspects of the job.
- Is able to work flexibly, with hours which will include evenings and weekends with time off being given in lieu.
- Has good communication skills and a caring nature.
- Is sympathetic to the ethos of the Parish. It is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder has a Christian faith.
- A key group that the Pioneering Family Well-Being Coordinator will be working with is young mothers, therefore it is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is female.

**Job Type**: Part-time

**Salary**: £28,000.00-£30,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 15 - 20 per week

**Benefits**:

- Company pension
- On-site parking

Schedule:

- Flexitime

Licence/Certification:

- Driving Licence (preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Portstewart

Application deadline: 12/04/2024
Reference ID: PFWO24
Expected start date: 06/05/2024