Accessibility Coordinator

**Job Description and Person Specification**

**The postholder will be a fluent BSL user.**

**Title**: Accessibility Coordinator

**Hours**: 35 hrs pw (full time) - We are open to job shares

**Fixed Term**: 2 Years - generously funded by The National Lottery Community Fund

**Salary**: £26,310 for full time or an example of a job share could be £13,531 for 18 hrs pw

**Location**: Hybrid (working from home and our Deal office, with regular outreach in Thanet area)

**Reporting to**: Fundraising & Project Development Manager
- If you want support to translate or understand this Job Description and Person Specification please contact KCV. _**Our details are below.**_

Working at Kent Coast Volunteering (KCV) is more than “just another job”, it’s a chance to be part of something that really matters with a team that truly cares. You probably already know us; we are a recognised brand in Thanet, Dover, and Folkestone & Hythe, supporting volunteers and volunteer involving organisations to respond to the challenges of social action, meet needs and improve quality of life.

Over the last two years we have shown agility and skill, adapting our services and infrastructure support to meet the needs of our service users. Now, thanks to a 3-year award from The National Lottery, Kent Coast Volunteering is pleased to be recruiting to a variety of uniquely shaped roles which will support local people to find meaningful and accessible volunteering opportunities. We will also provide support that enables organisations and local groups to develop best practice in volunteering and the running of their organisations.

**The Role**: The postholder will be a fluent BSL user. They will set up and operate an accessible volunteering service aimed at the Deaf community in Thanet, breaking down barriers and facilitating access to attractive volunteering opportunities. The postholder will also support charities to host Deaf volunteers. They will also identify other groups experiencing barriers to engaging in volunteering and work with organisations to welcome more diverse individuals into their volunteering roles.

Working as part of a team, the post holder will:

- Provide intensive support to 18 Volunteer Involving Organisations (VIOs) in the Thanet District to help them better support Deaf volunteers new groups.
- Connect 18 Deaf volunteers with these VIOs each year, and provide ongoing mentoring and support to enable these placements to be successful. Recruit British Sign Language students to act as volunteer buddies who will work alongside the Deaf volunteer, in partnership with Palm Deaf.
- Work with Palm Deaf to deliver Deaf Awareness Sessions to the pilot VIOs. They will support recruitment of the sign language buddies who will volunteer alongside the Deaf volunteers.
- Co-ordinate and host 6 Network and Knowledge sessions for VIO’s over the life of the project, providing an opportunity to have structured discussions on accessibility and other topics related to this role.
- Act as an Accessibility Champion, developing best practice resources to help VIOs to positively connect and engage with harder to reach communities, working with VIO's to enhance connectivity and engagement.
- Raise the profile of volunteering through posting on KCV’s website, social media and other media platforms.
- Work flexibly with the team to achieve the Lottery Project aims support the wider charity when needed.
- Identify 18 Thanet based VIO's to participate in bespoke accessibility programme designed to break down the barriers that Deaf people face when wanting to volunteer.
- In partnership with Palm Deaf, coordinate Deaf Awareness sessions for Thanet based VIO's involved in the pilot programme.
- Following Deaf Awareness training, triage VIO's to identify barriers facing recruitment and management of Deaf volunteers; identify and agree solutions.
- Recruit Deaf people who want to volunteer, match them to opportunities and provide some ongoing support to help ensure that the volunteer placements are successful.
- Alongside volunteer recruitment programme and in partnership with Palm Deaf, recruit Buddy BSL learner Volunteers who will partner the Deaf volunteer at volunteering role.
- Develop the project based on feedback from volunteers, participant VIOs and other stakeholders, and internal learning.
- Connect and engage with community groups who serve diverse communities identifying as disabled or marginalized to promote volunteering and break down barriers. Raise the profile of VIO’s and volunteering opportunities offering inclusive volunteering opportunities through different media platforms including social media, radio and other free media outlets using communications tools that reflect and welcome diversity.

**Equality, Diversity and Inclusion**
- Work with our Best Practice Coordinator to monitor and report on the quantity, quality and diversity of KCV’s volunteering opportunities and support Volunteer Involving Organisati