Job Description

About Good Neighbours Schemes

Good Neighbour Schemes are run by volunteers and provide community-based support for older and more vulnerable local people who need help with some of the basics of day-to-day living, such as transport to medical appointments, help with shopping or small jobs around the home. We offer advice and guidance to help people to establish new schemes in their local communities and to keep existing schemes thriving.

Our Good Neighbour Schemes team helps with policies, volunteer recruitment, DBS checks, funding and all the information schemes need to set up and to continue to operate effectively.

There are over 100 voluntary good neighbour schemes in Surrey. Most of the groups take people to and from hospital, GP and other health appointments. Some groups offer befriending, shopping, library book and prescription collections, or run lunch and social clubs. We currently support 78 of these schemes, helping with administrative tasks and with governance and training.

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and organised Good Neighbour Schemes Officer to support our Communications and Good Neighbour Schemes Manager.

The role has two main purposes:

To help to increase the number of voluntary car schemes in Surrey, particularly targeting rurally isolated and urban deprived areas. Support existing schemes to thrive and expand through the recruitment of volunteers.

We are looking for a colleague who will:

Assist with setting up new volunteer car schemes by: Building relationships with local community leaders to help get new good neighbour schemes off the ground Organising and holding recruitment events for volunteer committee members for new schemes (which may involve evening meetings) Organising and holding recruitment events for volunteer drivers and duty officers for new schemes (which may involve evening and weekend meetings) Assisting new schemes with policies and procedures Helping to launch new schemes Assist with the support offered to existing schemes by: Providing a central point of information for car schemes and maintaining a directory of schemes in Surrey Responding to enquiries received via our website contact form and directly to our info@ email address Identifying opportunities to promote volunteering opportunities Attending occasional weekend events to promote volunteering, for which time off in lieu is offered. Ordering and distributing equipment and accessories Carrying out DBS checks Keeping a record of key data - number of volunteers, journeys completed, etc Other tasks as required.

About you

We are looking for someone with a passion for making sure that people have suitable transport to ensure they can access support and services that allow them to lead fulfilling lives.

While there are some things that will make you stand out, we still want to hear from you about what you can offer even if you do not match all the criteria below. Some of the most important skills and experience include:

Experience of working to agreed targets and deadlines Good IT skills including Office applications and databases. Ability to plan, balance and manage multiple priorities Strong communication skills - verbal and written, and ability to relate well to people from all backgrounds Ability to champion the role and contribution of volunteers Ability to take initiative and responsibility for your work Strong organisational skills Able to work flexibly and to multi-task Ability to engage and influence

Ideally, you will also have

Experience of working or volunteering in a not-for-profit organisation Knowledge and understanding of volunteering best practice, strategy and policy Strong presentation skills, sufficient to deliver engaging training to volunteers and community groups Understanding of data protection requirements Social media skills Event organisation experience A consultative and informed approach to problem solving, using patience and understanding
Above all, we are looking for someone with the potential to help our Good Neighbour Schemes thrive, and to make sure that there is a Good Neighbours Scheme available wherever there is need.

We want Surrey Community Action to reflect the diversity of the individuals, communities, and voluntary sector we serve so encourage applications from anyone who believes they can carry out the job description.

We want Surrey Community Action to reflect the diversity of the individuals, communities, and voluntary sector we serve so encourage applications from anyone who believes they can carry out the job description.

The nuts and bolts

The role is offered on an initial eighteen-month contract for 21 hours per week.

Our offices are in Burpham, Surrey, and the role is mainly office based with travel across the county and some opportunity to work from home. Whilst use of public transport is encouraged, you will need to have access to independent transport to allow you to visit locations that are not well served by public transport.

The role is subject to a satisfactory DBS check.

For more information read our recruitment pack https://www.surreyca.org.uk/careers/good-neighbour-schemes-officer/

To apply for this position, please send an up-to-date CV and covering letter, making sure we can see how your experience matches our needs, to info@surreyca.org.uk.

The

closing date

for applications is

Monday 3rd November

with interviews taking place week commencing 10th November.

Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 18 months

Pay: 16,800.00 per year

Expected hours: 21 per week

Benefits:

Company pension Flexitime Free parking On-site parking
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Guildford GU4 7HL