Job Description

Older Men’s Projects Worker(Part-Time – 14 hours/ week)

Job Context:

Alongside universal activities and events to bring the whole community together, Time and Talents runs a range of groups, projects, and services for older people who are otherwise socially isolated. In the last two years, we have run a successful Men’s Shed project which has worked with over 70 men of 55 and over, providing a sense of belonging, social interaction and a chance to build friendships for men of varying levels of need, who are often becoming quite isolated as they get older. This sits alongside our other social groups for older women and men such as the Happy Mondays, Stroke Club, and an increasingly popular multi-generational gardening club.

We now plan to expand our work with older men, who represent a group who have fewer services available for them than women, and who tend to become more socially isolated, and have worse health outcomes, as they get older. This role will take a lead on our men’s projects, and in particular, our new project running social groups, information, advice and guidance with older men in local pubs, with occasional guests from a range of specialist services, from health, social support, and information/ advice backgrounds. The ‘vibe’ is always informal, the main goal is social, and reducing isolation, but at the same time, participants have a chance to talk through important stuff in a relaxed, social and non-clinical environment. This could be anything from what’s on TV, to worries about money, health, or emotional wellbeing. In addition, the goal is to build aspects of peer-support model, and volunteers who want to drive the model forward. Building a sense of ownership for group members is absolutely vital, and we need someone who can inspire and enthuse older men to become involved, who is able to run a friendly, lively group, and to integrate light touch health and welfare support alongside a friendly relaxed environment. Additionally, you’ll engage with other professionals to arrange their involvement, help the group steer itself, and promote the service to others. There is ample opportunity to expand, if the model, and the role, aresuccessful.

Main Purpose of the Job:

This post is for a part-timeMen’s Project Worker.The role’s main purpose is to lead group activities and detached outreach sessions over 16 hours a week, running at least 2 sessions per week.Hours can be spread across the week in a pattern which works best to deliver the objectives (eg 2 x 7 hours; 4 x 3.5 hours, etc). Hours will usually be during the daytime, but there will be occasions when you need to work in an evening, depending on the requirements of the groups.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The Men’s Project Worker will take lead responsibility for implementing the groups, detached/ outreach work, and basic administration,under the guidance of the Service Delivery/ OperationsManager.

Groups:

  • Act as a welcoming host, a first point of contact, and a friendly face to create a happy, welcoming social space where everyone feels able to take part
  • Undertake the planning and implementation of the programme of activities and issue based sessions for at least 2 weeklygroups
  • Liaise with external guest participants (eg health services, issue-based groups) to arrange their participation and coach them on how to relate to group members
  • Facilitate issue-based conversationsbetweenparticipants on a wide range of subjects, including sometimes on sensitive issues – eg. Alzheimer’s and dementia, prostate and sexual/ urinary health, cancer, emotional and mental health – alongside general ‘chit-chat’ and social engagement
  • Follow up personal issues with individual participants in difficulties to ensure they receive appropriate help and support, liaising with the Neighbourhood Care Coordinator at T&T where appropriate and signposting to further support
  • Lead volunteers and ensure they are adequately supervised in their participation on the projects
  • Arrange and liaise with venues with the support of the Service Delivery/ Operations Manager and Director

Outreach Work:

  • Plan and implement occasional outreach sessions to pubs and other locations:
  • to recruit for T&T men’s projects
  • to engage older men seeking to identify any issues and offer appropriate advice and information as necessary

Administration:

  • Administrate activities, dealing with correspondence, managing schedules, and maintaining contact with participants
  • Keep statistical and activity records and contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of the programme as requested by the Service Delivery Manager and Director
  • Contribute to the wider life and activities of Time & Talents, such as taking part in community celebrations and parties, and covering for other staff during absence where appropriate
  • Comply with Time and Talents’ policies and procedures, following good professional practice at all times
  • Carry out any other duties reasonably requested by senior staff.

General duties

  • Attend and participate in internal meetings including staff meetings and away days, as appropriate to this post’s hours and the post holder’s availability.
  • Participate in development opportunities including supervision, annual assessments and training.
  • Work co-operatively with other staff, volunteers, trustees and consultants.
  • Cooperate in the development and use of systems for monitoring and evaluating the work of Time and Talents.
  • Ensure that Policies and Procedures are followed through in practice including the Equality, Confidentiality and Health and Safety Policies.
  • Carry out additional tasks which may be required from time to time, under the direction of the Director.

Person Specification

Essential

  • Experience in a role with similar responsibilities including the running of inclusive groups, and providing one-to-one support to people experiencing difficulties (eg social care, youth work, mental health work, older people’s groups, etc)
  • Experience of, or evidence of competency in, issue-based group work
  • Experience of working with volunteers
  • Experience of organising group activities, including ad-hoc and off-site outreach
  • Able to establish a rapport with, and gain the respect of,men 55 and older
  • Able to handle and respond effectively to inappropriate and challenging behaviour
  • Able to successfully engage stakeholders such as outside health providers etc
  • Understanding of issues facing older people, and especially older men, and the wide range of experiences, backgrounds, and levels of vulnerability in this group
  • Willing to attend pubs and bars and work occasional evenings
  • Good literacy and MS Office/ emailskills
  • Able to operate effectively and appropriately in an environment where alcohol is served

Desirable

  • Professional qualification
  • Experience of working inclusively with people who have disabilities, or mental health issues
  • A driving licence which entitles you to drive a minibus in the UK

AE - 31st August 2016