Buddy Walk Coordinator

**Changes East Lothian - Buddy Walk Coordinator Job Description**

**This post is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund**
- September 2023_

**Job Title**:
**Buddy Walk Coordinator**

**Hours and term**:
8 hours (split over 2 days) p/w, 9months fixed term (with hope to extend funding depending)

**Pay scale and salary**

£26, 975 pro rata (4% pension contribution)

**Location**:
Changes, 108 Market Street, Musselburgh (and some travel across East Lothian)

**Reports to**:
Changes Project Development Manager

**Direct Reports**:
Volunteers
- All staff are required to comply with Changes Terms and Conditions of Service stated in Changes’ contract of employment.
- In addition to the duties and responsibilities outlined in this Job Description, all staff are expected to adopt a flexible approach, undertaking additional tasks or responsibilities as may be required of them by the Manager.
- All staff are expected to have an understanding of the difficulties faced by people with mental health problems and knowledge of mental health issues.
- All staff are expected to undertake further training as required.

**Job Overview**:
The Buddy Walk Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing this project. Buddy Walk volunteers and participants are matched up and meet 1-1 for a weekly walk. They are matched based on location as well as any potential shared interests or specific requirements.

Key tasks include coordinating Buddy Walk matches and Buddy Walk Volunteer Coordination, including training and support and supervision of volunteers. The role will include some administration and reporting tasks.

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**
- Taking an active role in advertising for and recruiting new volunteer buddy walkers
- Supporting volunteer buddy walkers to access and complete Walk Leader training (delivered externally) and Crisis Handling Awareness Training (internal)
- Assessing if this is the right support for individuals within the community and being an on going point of contact, throughout their match
- Matching up buddy walk volunteers with participants and overseeing the waiting list
- Facilitating the first meeting, checking in with both following this, being on hand to offer support if required
- Connecting with both again at the mid-way point and supporting the end of the match
- Ensuring that volunteers maintain and submit a record of their walks
- Liaising with freelancers to run the nature walks
- Risk assessing each activity
- Gathering feedback and evaluating the experience for both at the end point
- Being the point of contact for participants to find a suitable pathway to another activity either within Changes or another community service

You must send both covering letter and CV to address the person specification in demonstrating your ability to carry out the role.

**Person Specification:

- Buddy Walk Coordinator**

**Training**
- Community Development/Education qualification
- Mental Health or other related certificate/training
- Volunteer management/supervision training

**Experience / Knowledge**
- Experience of recruiting and supervising volunteers effectively
- Experience of working with a diverse group of people
- Experience of leading on/coordinating projects
- Experience of building good relationships (preferably within a community context)
- Experience of recording information for reporting purposes
- Understanding of confidentiality and safeguarding practices
- Experience of adhering to organisational policies and procedures
- Knowledge of mental health and potential challenges people may face when accessing services
- Experience using a range of evaluation tools
- Experience designing and/or delivering training

**Communication and Planning**
- Ability to communicate with a range of people; clients, volunteers, colleagues and other organisations
- Strong time management skills, and ability to organise and prioritise own workload effectively with competing priorities
- Knowledge of local area to help plan walk routes

**Personal Attributes**
- Positive attitude and enthusiasm to ‘hit the ground running’
- Capacity to work with a high degree of autonomy within a busy, supportive team
- Sharing Changes core values of; community, welcoming and compassion

**Other**
- Willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends as required
- Driver’s license and access to a car (due to the need to travel across East Lothian to facilitate Buddy matches)

**Job Types**: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 9 months
Part-time hours: 8 per week

**Salary**: £17,499.74-£37,510.79 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company pension

Day range:

- Monday to Friday

Shift:

- Day shift

**Experience**:

- working in a community setting: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

- Driving Licence (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 15/11/2023
Expected start date: 01/12/2023