Community Connection Champion Volunteer

5 months ago


Woolwich, United Kingdom SSAFA Full time

The role covers Woolwich and surrounding areas.

Would you like to support those feeling socially isolated and lonely within the local serving community? Could you spare a few hours a week to organise group activities that bring people together?

If so, we would love to hear from you

**What is a Community Connection Champion?**

The aim of the role is to promote connection by developing and facilitating social groups and activities within the local serving community.

Tasks will include planning group activities that are sociable and of interest to the community. It also involves coordinating and delivering sessions. You will receive training and have support from a dedicated project officer as you establish a variety of groups.

**What difference will you make?**

Armed Forces life can bring its challenges when a loved-one is deployed overseas, or a family must move to a new location. Some people can find themselves feeling lonely or socially isolated, they may struggle to meet and connect with new people due to their confidence, work commitments or because they don’t live in Service Family Accommodation.

Community Connection Champions will play a vital role in tackling these challenges by creating welcoming, engaging group opportunities that bring people together.

**What will you be doing?**

Although every SSAFA Team has different needs, below are the main activities of a Community Connection Champion:

- **Creating and Planning**: Working with the Project Officer to plan, develop and organise groups and activities that are best suited to their local serving community.
- **Communication and Teamwork**:Keeping in touch with the local Community Volunteer Coordinator and attending s meetings.
- **Networking and Engagement**:Reaching out with those who are interested in attending activities, providing support and encouragement for them to attend, including those who face barriers to attending.
- **Facilitating group sessions**:Delivering group activities in line with agreed plans, signposting attendees to external support as required and in line with SSAFA’s safeguarding policy and procedures.
- **Recording and reporting on activities**:Sharing activity plans with the SSAFA Project Team, tracking attendance, and encouraging attendees to complete the relevant paperwork to support Project reporting and development.

**What about training and support?**
- Volunteers will need to complete E-learning courses covering topics including GDPR and safeguarding plus a 1.5hr webinar which focuses on understanding the impact of loneliness and social isolation, what helps to reduce those feelings and the skills needed to develop and facilitate groups.
- Support from a dedicated Project Officer who will work with you to plan and develop the groups and activities.
- Support from your local Community Volunteer Coordinator and SSAFA’s Regional and Central Volunteer Operations colleagues.
- Access to a range of e-learning courses, resources and local opportunities to keep your knowledge and skills up to date.
- Regular meetings and events to learn and share information.
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.
- Volunteers will be covered by SSAFA's Public Liability insurance while carrying out their role.

**What can you gain from this volunteering role?**
- Give back to the serving community
- Support people in your local serving community using your patience, time and life experience, helping them to build local connections.
- Support and friendship from your local SSAFA Serving Community Team and the wider SSAFA community
- Gain experience, training and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews, such as planning sessions, organising activities and group facilitation.
- Better physical and mental health - studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression

**What are we looking for?**
- Friendly and approachable people with great communication skills.
- Excellent understanding of the importance of boundaries and confidentiality
- Non-judgemental approach and alignment with SSAFA’s values
- Some experience of delivering groups sessions or team leadership is beneficial but not essential as training will be provided
- A willingness to adhere to all relevant organisational policies and procedures.

**This role would suit someone who would like to make a regular weekly commitment of a couple of hours.**

**As this is a new initiative, we are keen to understand what works to support the local serving community. We expect groups to run in the evenings and weekends, as well as during the week.**

**A typical group might run once weekly for a 6-week period. Face to face sessions are likely to run in community venues such as community centres but we also want to explore how virtual groups can be used to support those who can’t access face to face sessions.**

**Job Type**: Volunteer

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: Woolwich SCT


  • Volunteer Car Driver

    6 months ago


    Woolwich, United Kingdom Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust Full time

    Flexible Hours You will be reimbursed for travel within the boroughs of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich ( must provide original receipts if using public transport) and you can also claim for lunch or other subsistence costs ( maximum of £5 per day) if your volunteering exceeds 4 hours in a day( please refer to volunteers policy for further...

  • Volunteer Car Driver

    5 months ago


    Woolwich, United Kingdom Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust Full time

    Flexible Hours To pick up patients and transport them to various appointments and therapy groups ensuring punctuality. To be able to help patients into and out of volunteers car. To reports any accidents or untoward incidents to the Voluntary Services Manager immediately. You will be reimbursed for travel within the boroughs of Bexley, Bromley and...

  • Pat Dog Volunteer

    5 months ago


    Woolwich, United Kingdom Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust Full time

    Voluntary Post PAT DOG Volunteer This is an exciting opportunity to be working alongside staff and patients on a ward providing a Pets as Therapy service, in an effort to bring comfort and companionship to patients, staff and family members. Animal-assisted therapy offers huge potential to the healthcare profession in a range of disciplines and, in the UK...


  • Woolwich, United Kingdom Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust Full time

    Volunteer Post Psychology/Research Assistant The post holder will have the opportunity of working alongside existing Psychologists across various teams. The hours and days being flexible and decided in conjunction with the placement supervisor. Specific opportunities and roles will involve facilitation of service audit evaluations of service user projects...


  • Woolwich, United Kingdom NHS South East London Integrated Care Board Full time

    The Primary Care & Community Support Officer, Greenwich, as part of SEL ICB, is an exciting new opportunity. The role will be a core member of our Primary & Community Care team working closerly wth the leadership team, our Primary Care providers and stakeholders, delivering effective administration support to help shape our neighbourhood arrangements across...


  • Woolwich, United Kingdom Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust Full time

    VOLUNTARY POST To serve staff, clients, relatives and visitors of Oxleas House snack shop. All profits raised to be spent on our inpatient services. **Specific Tasks**: - To open the shop at prescribed times, display goods in display units observing sell by dates and rotating the stock. - To monitor and record the temperature of the refrigerated storage...

  • Mini Retail Assistant

    5 months ago


    Woolwich, United Kingdom Stephen James Automotive Limited Full time

    **MINI Retail Assistant** Stephen James is looking for a MINI Retail Assistant to ensure the customer receives the very best service and experience at each point of their MINI sales journey. Full training will be provided to enable you to carry your role with confidence and passion. **Your role** As the MINI Retail Assistant, you will be an instrumental...


  • Woolwich, United Kingdom CV-Library Full time

    Do you want to join a rapidly expanding, forward thinking and agile organisation that provides an opportunity to grow together? If you have ambitions to play a key part in driving our business forwards, then we want you to join us at an exciting time of development and growth to realise your full potential. Here at BJF, we have a fantastic opportunity to...


  • Woolwich, United Kingdom BJF Group Full time

    Do you want to join a rapidly expanding, forward thinking and agile organisation that provides an opportunity to grow together?If you have ambitions to play a key part in driving our business forwards, then we want you to join us at an exciting time of development and growth to realise your full potential.Here at BJF, we have a fantastic opportunity to join...

  • Crew Member1449

    2 months ago


    Woolwich, United Kingdom McDonald's Limited Full time

    McDonald's are one of the most recognised brands in the world, and the backbone of our brand is commitment to a set of core values: Serve, Inclusion, Integrity, Community and Family. We live by our values every day and are committed to fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace, providing quality jobs, and making opportunity open to al Join us and...

  • Cover Supervisor

    6 months ago


    Woolwich, United Kingdom Principal Recruitment Technology Full time

    **Join The Team as a Permanent Cover Supervisor in Woolwich Secondary School!** Are you passionate about education and making a positive impact on young minds? We're seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic individual to join our vibrant team as a **Permanent Cover Supervisor** at our secondary school in Woolwich. **About Us**:At [School Name], we pride...


  • Woolwich, United Kingdom CV-Library Full time

    A personable, multi-disciplinary consultancy with a strong local presence is seeking an experienced Building Control Surveyor to join their team at the Associate level. This consultancy is well-established and works on a range of exciting local projects, so you wont be travelling much! As a registered Class 3 G/H RBI (Registered Building Inspector), you...

  • Branch Supervisor

    6 months ago


    Woolwich, United Kingdom Eden Springs UK Ltd Full time

    **Role**:Branch Supervisor **Location**:Woolwich **Job Types**:Perm **Shift**:Monday to Friday (40 hours per week) We are currently seeking a highly motivated and experienced Branch Supervisor to join our team. As the Branch Supervisor, you will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of our Branch, ensuring the highest level of customer...

  • Sales Assistant

    5 months ago


    Woolwich, United Kingdom Savers Full time

    **Location**:Woolwich **Hours per Week**: 8 hours with the opportunity to work more hours. **Shift pattern**:Part-time - flexible shift patterns across mornings; afternoons; evenings and weekends, which will be discussed further at interview **Salary**:£8.65 - £11.90 per hour **If you love retail, you’re in the right place.** Are you looking to join a...


  • Woolwich, United Kingdom Sanctuary Health Full time

    Looking to take your career to new heights? Look no further than Sanctuary Personnel, an esteemed and award-winning recruitment agency. With a TrustPilot score of 4.8/5 and over 500+ reviews, we are dedicated to connecting with talented professionals like you. We have an exciting locum opportunity for a Head of Culture, Events, Heritage & Tourism with UK...

  • Maths Tutor

    2 months ago


    Woolwich, United Kingdom CV-Library Full time

    TeacherActive are recruiting for strong SEN Tutors in the South East London area. In this role, you will be working on a one to one basis, or in small groups with pupils that have SEMH and ASD needs. This may be in Education settings or other venues - such as libraries or at the home of the pupil. Due to the nature and the complexities that are attached to...

  • Maths Tutor

    6 months ago


    Woolwich, United Kingdom TeacherActive Full time

    TeacherActive are recruiting for strong SEN Tutors in the South East London area.In this role, you will be working on a one to one basis, or in small groups with pupils that have SEMH and ASD needs. This may be in Education settings or other venues - such as libraries or at the home of the pupil.Due to the nature and the complexities that are attached to...

  • Team Administrator

    6 months ago


    Woolwich, United Kingdom Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust Full time

    The Forensic and Prison Services Directorate is part of Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, specialising in mental health and learning disability services. The Bracton Centre is a central part of the directorate, providing medium secure services to the boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham. Forensic services offer mental health support to people who...


  • Woolwich, United Kingdom JFC Training College Full time

    **Adult Care Tutor** **JFC Training College**, Woolwich, London **20-35** hours per week. Hours will be between Monday to Friday 9 - 6pm Pro rata salary: £26,000- £28,000 pro-rata (depending on experience) Permanent, Fulltime or Parttime Start date: Immediate start **About Us** JFC Training College established in 2006 is a further education private...


  • Woolwich, United Kingdom Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust Full time

    We are looking for a passionate, committed and experienced advocate of children, young people and their families. who is seeking an exciting development opportunity, in our innovative participation team which works across the Children and Young People’s Directorate at Oxleas NHS Trust. The role involves ensuring the voices of children and their carers’...