Glasgow’s Golden Generation has been supporting older adults across Glasgow since 1948 when it was founded as Glasgow Old People’s Welfare Association. The charity was set up initially to alleviate loneliness and isolation in the elderly, while these services still exist today, Glasgow’s Golden Generation provides so much more including: 3 Day Care Centre’s, Befriending Services, Weekly Clubs, Careline, Digital Coaching and Welfare Services.

GGG recognises the vital contribution that volunteer befrienders make in providing older adults with companionship, social interaction, and the support they need to participate in community life.

This role is central to our success by developing, planning and the implementation of an effective befriending network. In addition, this role will support the recruitment, matching and retention of Volunteer Befrienders.

Established in 1948 as Glasgow Old People’s Welfare Association (GOPWA), Glasgow’s Golden Generation (GGG) is now Glasgow’s leading charity for the elderly.

Our charity aims to improve the quality of life of older adults in Glasgow through a variety of support services ranging from our 3 day care centres, clubs, community support, volunteering, befriending and welfare services.

Befriending Co-ordinator

GGG recognises the vital contribution that volunteer befrienders make in providing older adults with companionship, social interaction and the support they need to participate in community life. The Befriending Co-ordinator role is central to our success, in developing, planning and implementing an effective befriending network, and for recruiting, placing and retaining the volunteer befrienders needed.

Reports to:Engagement Volunteer Manager

Key Roles and Responsibilities

This is an established service overseen by an experienced Volunteer Engagement Manager

The main duties are as follows;

• To co-ordinate and manage the day-to-day activities of the South Glasgow GGG Befriending service.
• Raise awareness of the befriending service through attending conferences, events, networking and speaking to older adults
• To support the Volunteer Engagement Manager in the recruitment of volunteer befrienders through advertising, referrals, interviewing and selection procedure and ensure all practice fall within the National Care Standards and SSSC code of Practice.
• To train and induct Volunteer Befrienders on their role (including continually reviewing the induction process for improvement)
• To match suitable befrienders with service users
• To provide regular and ongoing support and supervision to volunteer befrienders
• To recognise the contribution of befrienders and maintain strong communication with them so they feel a part of the wider team
• Where necessary undertake befriending activities with older adults
• To monitor the service provided by GGG and identify problems and challenges and determine solutions
• To monitor, collate information and evaluate the service on a quarterly basis.
• To adhere to adult support protection act and undertake risk assessments as appropriate
• To manage the client waiting list in the south of the city.
• Work in partnership with appropriate agencies
• To ensure that all appropriate Health and Safety training is completed and refreshed by volunteer befrienders where necessary
• To report Health and Safety risks or issues to the Volunteer Engagement Manager

Person Specification

Qualifications/ Experience

Essential:

• At least 1 years work experience which included direct contact with the community, ideally with older people
• Volunteer co-ordination
• Befriending Certificate
• Car owner/ Driver
• People Person
• Good communication skills
• Flexible working
• Ability to manage a team of volunteers

PVG required.

Driving Licence required

Glasgow’s Golden Generation has been supporting older adults across Glasgow since 1948 when it was founded as Glasgow Old People’s Welfare Committee. The charity was set up initially to alleviate loneliness and isolation in the elderly, while these services still exist today, Glasgow’s Golden Generation provides so much more including: 3 Day Care Centre’s, Befriending Services, Weekly Clubs, Careline and Welfare Services. Glasgow’s Golden Generation need to raise £1 Million pounds annually to support the thousands of service users across Glasgow that need support.

GGG is recruiting for an existing position of a Welfare Officer to join a well-established team. GGG is looking for candidates with experience of the benefits system and that can relate well to an older adult client base. Benefits include, but not limited to, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independent Payment, Employment Support Allowance, Universal Credit, Pension Credits, Council Tax Benefits and Housing Applications.

To support this role, GGG has long term relationships with a variety of referrers including departments within social work, housing associations, NHS, Home Falls Prevention, and utility providers.

The postholder will report directly to the Welfare Manager and will be given all training required to conduct this role both initially and within an ongoing basis.

The post is fixed for 1 year (allowing for a 3 monthly probation period), full time and 35 hours per week. The role would require some office working for general administration and meetings, home appointment visits and remote working from home can be allowed where appropriate.

A full job description is attached below

GGG are recruiting for an existing position of Trusts and Foundations Manager. GGG are looking for candidates with experience within this role and specifically within researching new trusts, writing applications, relationship building, admin and writing of final evaluations to funders. This role allows for flexible working hours/conditions.

To support this role, GGG have long term relationships with many existing trusts and foundations such as: Life Changes Trust, National Lottery Community Fund, SP Energy Networks, Bank of Scotland Foundation, The Robertson Trust, and Impact Funding Partners. GGG have long term relationships and statutory funding via Glasgow City Council and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

This post will report directly to the CEO and there is support within the team to work alongside the successful candidate EG - CEO, Finance Director and Heads of Services. An existing Trust and Foundations strategy is in place with good record keeping of historical data, past applications and strong relationships with certain funders existing.

This post is permanent (allowing for a 6-month probationary period).

The FT role is 35 hours per week, Mon to Fri, 9am to 4.30pm. GGG are willing to consider reduced hours of 28 hours per week and are open to a degree of flexible working. The role would require some office working (once covid-19 restrictions have lifted) but there will be the opportunity to work from home as agreed and in accordance with the CEO.

Digital exclusion has always been an issue for older adults. Being able to get the cheapest utility deals, bid for more suitable social housing or simply find out about what is going on locally is something many of us take for granted. The COVID-19 health crisis has further highlighted the digital divide between those who have the means to access the resources and opportunities available on the internet and those who do not.

GGG Is excited to be focusing on a broad digital programme to combat Isolation and loneliness within older adults. The aims are to connect older people to each other, to access information and use of the GGG App -this has been newly formed and contains useful updates and entertainment.

This is a role within an expanding team (Including cross departmental working) which will deliver and test a range of existing and new initiatives while embedding the learning across our services.

This role Is suitable for a candidate who Is familiar with the charity sector, have strong IT skills, management skills and great training /communications skills.

Job Purpose

• To support older adults to develop the skills and knowledge to use the internet. To access information and activities thus combating loneliness and isolation, while supporting the ability to remain independent and connected with friends, family, and wider community.
• Deputy Management of digital related staff and departmental activity within: Communications, Befriending, Volunteering, Benefits Advice, Careline and Day Centres.
• To develop solutions to the digital divide and identify participants for online activities and learning initiatives.
• Training/coaching service users to use internet enabled devices in a group and/or 121 situations. e.g., tablet, iPad, iPhone etc.
• Support the Digital Project Manager within the delivery of Digital Project's (GGG App updates and content).
• To administer tablet project device records and user data adhering to GDPR requirements and policies.
• To conduct questionnaires, surveys, and other data collection for evaluation of new and ongoing initiatives.

Responsible To – Digital Project Manager