Befriending Coordinator

**Befriending Coordinator Role Description and Person Specification**

**Job role**: Befriending Coordinator

**Contract type**: 1 year fixed-term contract

**Reporting to**: Programme Manager (South Yorkshire)

**Hours**: 22.5 hours per week

**Salary**: £12,735pa

**Job purpose**:
**Job description**:
The responsibilities of the role includes:

- Pair and manage volunteer befrienders with isolated older neighbours in South Yorkshire
- Create and manage volunteers and pairings in other geographic areas in England and Wales
- Plan and deliver at least two Social Clubs per week - specifically in Wheatley Hills (Doncaster) and

Mowbray Gardens (Rotherham)
- Develop day-to-day relationships with key stakeholders and referral pathways in South Yorkshire
- Build strong network of contacts locally and ensure the charity is strategically contributing to health and social care working groups
- Administer registers and records which track attendance, interactions, surveys, relationships and group activities along with demographic data
- Perform outreach in the community (online and offline) allowing _b:friend _to reach individuals most needing befriending support and recruit new volunteers
- Provide Social Club cover across South Yorkshire where needed
- Managing project budgets and writing monitoring reports where required
- Assist wider b:friend coordinating fundraising and engagement initiatives

General responsibilities:

- Work across the b:friend team and assist in all areas of work. Coordinate and attend internal and external meetings and events
- Contribute to the general administrative running of b:friend
- Adhere to and promote b:friend’s organisational values
- Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as they may arise, develop or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position
- Maintain and improve competencies through continuous professional development
- Abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practices
- Support and promote inclusion, diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace.
- Treat with confidentiality any personal, private or sensitive information about individual organisations and or beneficiary or staff and project data

**Expectations**:
The annual performance targets for this specific role include (but are not limited to):

- 48x befriending pairings created in South Yorkshire
- Deliver two weekly Social Club sessions. Your regular clubs will be in Wheatley Hills, Doncaster and

Mowbray Gardens, Rotherham
- Complete surveys with each older neighbour matched with a volunteer befriender at key milestones
- Identify & refer local funding opportunities to CEO
- Monthly 1:1 review meeting with line manager (opportunity for impact updates and support)

**Person Specification**:
Essential Criteria:

- Empathy and Interpersonal Skills: Ability to build and maintain relationships with older neighbours, volunteers, and key stakeholders. Demonstrated empathy and understanding towards the needs and concerns of isolated older neighbours.
- Organisational Skills: Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise workload, and meet deadlines effectively.
- Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of support needs.
- Networking and Relationship Building: Proven ability to establish and maintain a strong network of contacts within the local community and contribute to health and social care working groups.
- Initiative and Problem Solving: Ability to work independently, take initiative, and proactively address challenges or obstacles that arise in the befriending programme.
- IT Skills: Basic proficiency in IT systems.
- Data Management: Proficiency in maintaining accurate records, registers, and databases to track attendance, interactions, surveys, relationships, and group activities whilst adhering to data protection laws and policies.
- Flexibility: Willingness to work evenings and weekends when required to provide social club cover and participate in community outreach activities.
- Commitment to the Organisation's Mission: Strong alignment with the mission and values of b:friend, and a genuine interest in supporting isolated older neighbours in the community.
- Commitment to Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Desirable Criteria:

- Experience: Previous experience in coordinating and managing volunteer programmes, preferably in a befriending or community support setting.
- Knowledge of the Social Care Sector: Familiarity with the social care sector, including relevant policies, procedures, and referral pathways.
- Fundraising Experience: Experience in coordinating fundraising initiatives, identifying funding opportunities, and supporting engagement activities. Experience in budget management and writing of monitoring reports.

Note: The above person specification outlines the desired qualities, skills, and e