Mindful Connections Volunteer
Role Description
Role: Mindful Connections Volunteer
Type of Role: Voluntary (Travel Expenses paid)
Responsible to: Volunteer Co-ordinator
Time Commitment: One day a week for ideally one year (working hours can be flexible Monday-Friday)
Location: London Borough of Hackney
Role Summary:
To support older people (aged 50+) in the Hackney Borough to connect up with local services and to help design and deliver community based activities including mindfulness and IT taster sessions.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Successfully complete the volunteer induction and training. This will include mindfulness practise and training on mindfulness and digital taster facilitation.
2. Prepare for and co-facilitate a minimum of one community based session per month with another Mindful Connections Volunteer which will include facilitating a mindfulness and digital taster session.
3. Prepare for and meet with a minimum of one older person in the community per week. You will be fully supported during this time.
4. Communicate with the Volunteer Co-ordinator on a frequent basis about sessions that need facilitating.
5. Attend group volunteer meetings and contribute to the design and development of the project and all activities.
6. Report any concerns arising from the sessions to the Volunteer Co-ordinator and, where appropriate, the designated Safeguarding Officer.
7. Participate in 1-1 touch-base meetings with the Volunteer Co-ordinator and attend reflective study sessions.
8. Liaise with the Volunteer Coordinator to identify and work towards relevant professional or personal development goals of your choice.
9. Attend a meeting with a Welfare Rights and Benefits Advisor to discuss employment opportunities and benefits advice.
10. At all times work in accordance with the organisation’s policies and practices.
Person Specification
To undertake the role of Mindful Connections Volunteer, you must be able to show that you have the following:
o The ability to create good relationships with a diverse range of people.
o The ability to be non-judgmental, compassionate and patient.
o Good verbal and communication skills.
o Be honest and act with integrity at all times.
o An understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities.
o Ability to work well in a team when required.
o To have experienced of or be able to empathise with someone experiencing social isolation.
o Willingness to engage in some Mindfulness practise.
o Willingness to talk from your own experience in an appropriate way.
o Ability to maintain appropriate and professional boundaries.
o An interest in the Hackney community, local organisations, activities and Hackney’s diverse population.
o We encourage applicants aged 50+
Volunteers are encouraged to take part in Connect Hackney’s Older People’s Reference Group and Older People’s Media Group.
Training/Induction
The induction and training provided will help prepare you for working in the community with vulnerable older people as well as facilitating group sessions. You will receive training on an extensive range of topics including safeguarding, equality and diversity, LGBTQ awareness, mental health awareness, professional boundaries, as well as health and safety and data protection. As part of your induction you will undergo a six week course of mindfulness practice which should give you a good understanding of its benefits. You will also receive some IT training focusing on computers, tablets, apps, social media and emails. After which, with the Co-ordinator and other volunteers, you will co-design the project’s activities including the mindfulness and digital taster sessions. You will need to attend and complete all training (including online training) and support sessions prior to the project start date.
Other Information
Successful applicants will be required to provide details of two references and agree to submit details for and undertake a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check.
For more information on the role please contact Paula Cancelas Yanez on 020852852325/ or India Roche on 02052852314/ by 6pm on Tuesday 20th September 2016.
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