BeFriend Worker

At Berwickshire Housing Association (BHA) it’s our people that make us special as a values-led community-based housing association.  As a BeFriend Worker, you will work within BHA BeFriend, helping to provide a dedicated and established befriending service to older people in Berwickshire & Kelso who are aged 65+ and living with loneliness and isolation. 

Reporting to the BeFriend Co-ordinator, you will assist in the promotion of the befriending service via social media channels, the production of publicity items and other forms of media. You will be responsible for supporting the planning and facilitating of community befriending sessions, alongside the BeFriend Worker (community) managing resources for community befriending.

You will support all Team BeFriend colleagues with their lead responsibilities. The role will also assist with the processing of referrals, risk assessments and matching of befrienders with befriendees, and help promote the project in the community and networks of relevant organisations. The role will provide support and guidance/regular supervision to an allocated cohort of volunteer befrienders.

You are someone who enjoys close team working and supporting colleagues when needed especially in delivering the range of the community activities that the project supports.

This is an opportunity which offers a real purpose to your working life and if that means something to you, we want to hear from you.

Training will be provided.

This role is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund

BHA and the BeFriend Project operates an agile working model, which means you can be flexible with your working patterns and location i.e. between your home, our office in Duns, and other hubs, as appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

Service Delivery and Management

1. 1. Working with the BeFriend Team to recruit and train Befrienders so that they are equipped to provide a high quality befriending service for older people.
   2. Working with the BeFriend Team to process referrals/enquiries from a variety of individuals/agencies and carry out a relevant assessment of risk when required and prior to matching a volunteer to a recipient older person.
   3. The BeFriend Worker will support the BeFriend Worker (Community) and the BeFriend Worker (Dementia and Volunteer training) with their lead responsibilities.
   4. Working with the BeFriend Team to identify the skills of volunteer befrienders so that they can be matched with an older person who would directly benefit from those skills.
   5. Assist in the development and support of volunteer befrienders so that they achieve consistent high standards of performance across the range of tasks required to deliver a befriending service successfully.
   6. As directed by the Co-ordinator, support befriendees who have not been matched with volunteer befrienders.
   7. Assist the BeFriend Team in the promotion of the project in the local community and within networks of relevant organisations.
   8. Assist the BeFriend Co-ordinator to publicise the befriending service across all aspects of media, co-ordinate the sourcing of promotional items and clothing.
   9. Work in partnership with external organisation, as required, and as directed by the  Co-ordinator.
   10. Prepare and produce documents, letters, emails and other documentation for the project as required.
   11. Ensure all money handling procedures are followed correctly and accurate records are maintained.
   12. Assist in the collation and presentation of reports and KPIs using the templates provided, as required by the Coordinator
   13. To participate in meetings and attend training as required and mandated.
   14. Assist with the updating and management of the project database.
   15. Deal with general enquiries with regard to the project.
   16. Carry out administration duties as required.
   17. Any other relevant duties as required.

Competencies

Teamwork

• Contribute to the overall success of Team BeFriend through effective collaboration and understanding of needs across the service.
• Working with others, generate new ideas and ways of working to improve the service.

Organisational Expectations

• At all times to work within BHA’s policies including Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, and Confidentiality. Observe the requirements of the Data Protection Act, GDPR and Health & Safety legislation.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience of working with volunteers, either in a paid or voluntary capacity.
• Experience of developing social media/media content for an organisation and associated promotional materials.
• Able to work flexibly, including some evenings, Saturdays, and travel to different locations in the Borders.
• Hold a full driving licence and be able to provide own transport when required.
• Able to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to diversity and equality.
• Sound administration skills, including good working knowledge of MS office and with proficiency in the use of Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Able to promote the project in the community and confident when networking with other organisations.
• Experience of working to deadlines and meeting targets.

Desirable

• At least 6 months relevant experience of supporting group activities for older people.
• Experience of driving a minibus or a willingness to undertake the necessary training to drive a minibus.
• Experience of risk assessment procedures.
• Local knowledge and networks.

Benefits Package

• A defined contribution pension scheme with an employer contribution up to a maximum of 9%
• Westfield Health Care Plan
• Westfield Rewards
• Agile working
• Perkbox
• Corporate volunteering opportunities

How to apply:

If you think you’d like to join our team, then please view the Job Description with Person Specification then apply online by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button.

You must complete an application form to be considered for any of our vacancies, we do not accept CVs.

In your application, we are looking for you to evidence and demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria for this role, and make reference to how your personal values align with those of BHA. 

If you have any difficulties applying for the vacancy on our website then please call 0800 652 8104 and request a call back from Lynne Bryce, People & Culture Lead.

For an informal chat regarding the post please call 0800 652 8104 and request a call back from Kerry Hague, BeFriend Co-ordinator.

Closing Date:         Thursday 27th March at 5pm

Interview Date:     Monday 7th April

Please Note:         BHA and the BeFriend Project operate an agile working model, which means you can flex your location between your home, our offices in Duns, and other hubs as appropriate, however as this role is part of a customer facing responsive service, any discussion about working hours would take place upon a successful offer.

Documents

Please download and read the following documents relating to this vacancy before you apply:

• Job Description – BeFriend Worker March 2025
• Employment Information – BeFriend Worker
• BHA – Employment Applicant Transparency Statement
• BHA VALUES AND BEHAVIOURS.v2

Registered Charity: SCO 42342