Friendship Coordinator

Job Introduction
**Service Delivery**
- Provide the initial contact with isolated adults who require the support of a volunteer befriender. Assess their requirements, risk assess for suitability of matching with a volunteer.
- Match volunteers with clients according to shared interests, location and availability.
- Monitor ongoing befriending relationships.
- Help volunteers to develop positive and supportive relationships with clients, within appropriate and clear boundaries.
- Coordinate project delivery on a day-to-day basis within area of responsibility.
- Develop knowledge of activities and provisions across NE Essex.
- Develop positive and effective working relationships with groups, activities and service providers across NE Essex.
- Support the development of new groups and activities.
- Support the recruitment and induction of befriending volunteers.
- Support the development of new methods of engaging with people to help reduce social isolation and loneliness e.g. use of technology.
- Keep accurate notes and data on Salesforce database; acting in accordance with the Data Protection Act (2018).
- Support access of volunteers to training and group support sessions; offer individual support to volunteers as and when required.
- Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including statutory and voluntary sector agencies.
- Promote Age Well East by attending meetings, forums and community events and delivering workshops and talks.
- To carry out any other reasonable tasks as requested by the Operations Manager.

**Monitoring & Evaluation**
- Support the development and use of outcome measurement tools.
- Identify and collate evidence of the outcomes of service delivery (case studies).
- Ensure all monitoring is completed on time.

**Financial Management**
- Maintain accurate records of all relevant expenditure.
- Comply at all times with the Financial Procedures.
- ** Health, Safety & Risk **Management**
- Ensure full compliance with Health and Safety policies and procedures.
- Ensure suitable procedures are being followed to safeguard the health and safety of volunteers and service users.

**Other**
- Keep updated, and work within operational policies and procedures; paying particular attention to Health and Safety, Lone Working, Safeguarding and Confidentiality Policies.
- Act at all times with due regard to Equal Opportunities and Data Protection policies and standards.
- Support and interact with Age Well East colleagues and others within the organisation, sharing information and updates on services and links made with communities.
- Take responsibility for own self-development.

**Essential Criteria**
- Strong people skills
- Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Word, Excel & Outlook
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent record keeping skills and attention to detail
- Experience and ability to build strong partnerships and networks
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to be empathetic and supportive to volunteers and clients
- Ability to work autonomously
- Solutions-driven and can-do attitude
- An understanding of confidentiality and GDPR
- Willingness to undergo any relevant and ongoing training as required
- Willingness to work flexibly to support other projects within Age Well East
- Able to be flexible with hours if/when required to meet the needs of the service
- Driver’s licence and daily use of a vehicle

**Desirable Criteria**
- Health, social care or relevant third sector experience of supporting people
- Experience of leading and/or facilitating community projects and events
- Working with and managing volunteers
- Delivering volunteer induction and training
- Experience of befriending i.e., as a volunteer or in a work setting
- Experience of managing safeguarding issues under supervision of a senior team