Teenage Champion

Are you aged between 16-24? Do you live with Sickle Cell? Would you like to help shape the support received by young people living with Sickle Cell in Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark? If so, then how about applying to be our Teenage Champion.

What’s a Teenage Champion?

A Teenage Champion is an enthusiastic young person who is dedicated to representing and supporting young people who are living with sickle cell disorder as well as help to engage other young people in communities living with sickle cell.

What will you do?

The Teenage Champion will spend their time communicating with young people through various mediums (such as social media, face to face) to find out how they want to be supported in managing their sickle cell. The Teenage Champion will help put that support into place with the help of the Sickle Cell South London Link Team running a series of events, activities, and other projects to engage young people.

What you will gain?

Skills in media, campaigning, researching and raising awareness

Skills in Planning and Organising Activities and Events

Meeting new people (Including young people and professionals)

Working with a National Charity

Inspiring other young people who would like support

Experience in shaping services and teenage engagement

Role Description:

Role Title: Teenage Champion

Hours of Work: £50-£60 per day depending on experience (Sessional Basis) – 1 day per week

Duration: February 2018 for 6 months initially with the opportunity to extend for a further 6 months

Location:Primarily based in office at Brixton with some travel across London Boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark & Lewisham, (possibility with some travel to other locations across London as and where necessary)

Accountable to: South London Community Manager

Start Date: February 2018

Background to the organisation: The Sickle Cell Society

The Sickle Cell Society is the only national charity in the UK that supports and represents people affected by Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) to improve their overall quality of life. Our mission is to enable and assist individuals to realise their full economic and social potential.

We support people affected by SCD through a part-time national helpline and email service; information resources available in print and through our website; advocacy in relation to welfare, education, health services, housing and employment; and awareness raising, lobbying and campaigning. We also deliver local projects aimed at increasing engagement with health services, an annual children’s holiday and assist with medical/social research.

Background to the project: Sickle Cell Link South London

We have secured three-year funding (currently in year 2) from the BIG Lottery Fund to deliver a programme of targeted peer-support, activities, information and training in three south London boroughs (Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham). SCD is particularly prevalent in these boroughs due to the high proportion of black residents. SCD is most common in people of black African/Caribbean origin and, to some extent, Asian and Mediterranean origin.

Main duties: Teenage Champion

  • Engage teenagers and research what support and activities they would like to receive and help plan and deliver these activities with the help of the South London Team.
  • To work alongside the South London Community Manager to planand deliver a programme of social events, activities, educational workshops and support groups for teenagers living with Sickle Cell across the 3 target boroughs
  • Building relationships and consulting with key stakeholders in the target boroughs (i.e. local NHS and local authorities); transition nurses across the network, local universities, youth clubs and existing support groups
  • Promote the project across multiple platforms and media
  • To collect data using methods such as(not limited to) questionnaires, focus groups and writing reports based on that data to track and monitor teenager engagement

Other requirements:

  • To act as a representative and ambassador for the Sickle Cell Society;
  • To comply with health and safety requirements.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential skills and experience and knowledge:

  • Experience of using research methods, i.e. surveys, questionnaires, Experience of providing direct health/social welfare support and key work with service users
  • Some experience of running events and activities
  • Ability to relate well to teenagers and families
  • Effective communication, both verbally and in writing, including the ability to maintain accurate records
  • Team working: sharing ideas, maintaining positive relationships, able to communicate positively and effectively with all team members
  • Able to work independently and manage own workload;
  • Able to build and maintain professional relationships-both internal and external- with health professionals and other stakeholders
  • Proficient in the use of MS Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), internet, email, etc.
  • Friendly, creative, approachable and well organised
  • Able to work out of hours (weekends, evenings)where appropriate; to maximise engagement
  • Ability to travel independently to venues across London.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a community setting
  • Experience of working with children, teenagers and families;
  • An understanding of equal opportunities and valuing diversity, particularly as it is highly applicable to people with SCD;
  • Some understanding of confidentiality and data protection

To apply please fill in the application form and email by Wednesday 31stJanuary.

Interviews will be held the morning of Tuesday 6th February 2018 at Sickle Cell Society South London office, Longfield Hall, 50 Knatchbull Road, SE5 9QY