Community Links Officer

**Job Title**: Community Links Officer

**Department**:Services

**Reports to**:Services Cluster Team Leader

**Base**: Lostock Hall

**Weekly hours**: 36

**Salary**: £20,363

**Position Summary**

Age Concern Central Lancashire provides a Dementia Community Links service to the population of Preston and South Ribble. This service is provided for adults with a diagnosis of Dementia (this includes people under 65 with a diagnosis of Dementia) and those with memory concerns (without a formal diagnosis).

The core purpose of the Dementia Community Links service is to focus on enablement for the individual service user, the reduction of social isolation, the maintenance of skills, whilst maintaining independent living and promoting quality of life wherever possible.

**Main Responsibilities**
- To enable service users to:

- Maintain or re-develop daily living skills and overcome practical and emotional issues.
- Undertake social pursuits, and/or maintain a community presence.
- Be involved in educational or creative activities.
- Obtain information on services which benefit them.
- To support service users to plan and set individualised goals and achievements.
- To review progress against agreed goals with the support of the team leader.
- To develop links with Age Concern and other local services/ activities for the benefit of service users.
- Work with the team to identify gaps in the provision of social groups. Set up new groups and provide ongoing practical support to ensure the group is sustainable.
- Recruit volunteers and provide support to them to ensure the ongoing delivery of groups.
- Maintain comprehensive, factual service user records and provide case studies.

**Duties**
- Achieve the level of computer competency as required for the role.
- Participate in and contribute to the organisation’s activities, events and meetings.
- Undertake other duties which may be required by the organisation that are consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the role.

**Training**

The organisation is committed to support continuous professional development (CPD). There is an expectation that the post holder will complete mandatory and role specific training within the probationary period and maintain a level of competence throughout their employment with us. Training includes Safeguarding, GDPR and Health and Safety. This list is not exhaustive.

**Essential Skills and Attributes**
- This role requires an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.
- Two years’ experience in community engagement role or similar.
- To demonstrate a good knowledge of how dementia affects the lives of individuals and their carers/families.
- Efficient time management and be flexible to meet the service needs.
- Access to a vehicle for work purposes.
- To demonstrate a commitment to the mission, vision and values of the organisation.
- To demonstrate professionalism, whilst having a positive and enthusiastic attitude.

**What we offer**
- Competitive Salary.
- Generous Pension Scheme of Employer Contribution of 6% and Employee Contribution of 2%.
- Annual leave entitlement of 32 days per year (inclusive of Bank Holidays), additional 3 days provided after 3 years of service.
- An additional treat day off for your birthday.
- Free onsite parking at most of our facilities.
- Free tea and coffee in all our facilities.
- Access to free training and development opportunities.
- Opportunities to make a real difference in the community.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: Up to £20,363.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Monday to Friday

Work authorisation:

- United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person