Change Mental Health is a leading national mental health charity providing unique support to people with severe and enduring mental ill health. With over 50 years’ experience across Scotland, we believe people affected by poor mental health and illness deserve the highest quality of support in the community and that every person has the right to be valued and to share in the opportunities, challenges, and joys of everyday life.

In this critical role you will work closely with the Co-Investigator (Jim Hume, Director of Public Affairs & Communications) to ensure effective and impactful delivery of all project outputs and outcomes. The position is a multi-agency project employed by Change Mental Health and will be working in partnership with NHS Highland Public Health, High Life Highland, Museums Heritage Highland, Highland third sector organisations, local community groups and the academic research team.

Our Project Coordinator will engage very closely with regional and local community members, setting up and chairing groups where required in partnership with the wider research team, researching process and impact, developing a toolkit, and disseminating findings via events and online media and communication.

The position requires travel throughout the Highlands. Therefore we are looking for the candidate to be based in the highlands, or in Edinburgh (at our National Office).

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish and manage the regional stakeholder group; organise and attend the group meetings, deputising for the Co-Investigator (Director of Public Affairs and Communications at Change Mental Health, Jim Hume) as required.
• Proactively assist in the set-up and management of the local co-design stakeholder groups in partnership with the research team; help with engaging local communities, networking and recruiting group members; liaise with Museums Heritage Highland and High Life Highland (providing venues).
• Chairing the co-design stakeholder groups and organising all the meetings.
• Organise online forums for the co-design groups to share experiences, which includes deputising for the Co-Investigator as required.
• Contribute fully and proactively to: (i) project research, for example by giving feedback on the co-design process; (ii) development of the project toolkit; and (iii) recording of project impacts.
• Dissemination of findings as required at multiple stages throughout the project including at the project’s conclusion, which will include leading the organisation of two dissemination events.
• Proactively assist with the setting up of the project website, ensuring website design and maintenance is kept within budget; managing and updating the project website.
• Contribute to communications and publicity, including updates/email bulletins, regular website updates.
• Contribute to and identify others to write blogs, ensure events and project news are publicised

General Duties:

• Acting in accordance with Data Protection legislation. Ensure all records, personal, staff and client data are managed in line with Data Management and Information Governance policies.
• Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements such as provisions set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• Acting in accordance with the charity’s Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies and to notify your line manager promptly if there are any concerns.
• Participating in regular supervision and appraisal and undertake any relevant training as appropriate to the role.
• Working in accordance with Change Mental Health’s national policies and local operating procedures and those of external regulators or professional bodies.
• To be friendly, polite and professional to all project partners, community members, stakeholders and the public always.

Essential Criteria:

• Experience and knowledge of co-design
• Project management experience
• Community development/engagement experience.

Desirable Criteria

• An understanding of remote and rural communities and their service needs, and I understand the impact of health inequalities. I have experience of mental health.
• A people person that can make great relationships, whilst also organised and enjoy immersing yourself in detail.
• Comfortable and adept with the tools of the modern world including various online communications platforms and social media.
• Have a positive and enthusiastic ‘can do’ attitude and thrive on working in a dynamic team, understanding that everyone needs to be a leader.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and work well with others. Can demonstrate that you have built relationships within communities and with external stakeholders.
• Enjoy organising and managing meetings that generate positive outcomes for all.
• Can work under pressure and to exacting timelines plus always produce high quality work.
• Ambitious about project team outcomes and achievements. Ability to see a challenge as an opportunity to improve and deliver outstanding service and support.
• Have a driving licence.

This job profile and list of duties is not exhaustive and serves only to highlight the main requirements. The line manager may stipulate other reasonable requirements and projects commensurate with the general profile and grade of the post.

Successful applicants for this post will require a Basic Disclosure.

Benefits

• 24/7 access to an award-winning Employee Assistance Programme providing free legal, financial, and medical advice as well as support with life’s challenges.
• A 35-hour working week, enhanced sick pay & season ticket loan.
• A great work life balance with flexible and blended working environment.
• Access to purchase a Blue Light Discount Card
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Enhanced sick pay and leave entitlements.
• Generous 37 days’ holiday.
• Paid Mental Wellbeing days.
• Professional development including funded opportunities.

Change Mental Health is a leading national mental health charity providing unique support to people with severe and enduring mental ill health. With over 50 years’ experience across Scotland, we believe people affected by poor mental health and illness deserve the highest quality of support in the community and that every person has the right to be valued and to share in the opportunities, challenges, and joys of everyday life.

About the Service

The Stafford Centre is the central place where we support people with their mental health in Edinburgh. This drop-in enables you to relax in the company of others in a safe environment and begin to build supportive networks. We want to help you as soon as you walk through the door and ensure you are directed towards the best activity or support for your recovery. We have many welcoming and supportive groups where you can feel valued. We deliver change at The Stafford Centre by building resilience to improve your skills, confidence and enable you to take a step forward in your life. There are many creative and wellbeing activities, from art sessions to our outdoor walking group, and a main café area where you can chat and feel welcomed by building supportive networks.

About the Role:

The Welfare Rights Advisor is a specialist role, providing one to one support to clients, managing a case load and structured face to face appointments. This role is based at the Stafford Centre in Edinburgh, and in this Thrive funded post you will support people experiencing or impacted by mental illness, providing specialist advice, advocacy and representation. Assisting to maximise client’s disposable income by ensuring they receive all appropriate benefits and services, liaising with statutory bodies when required.

You will adhere to rigorous guidelines and regulations ensuring that people receive the highest quality service possible and are committed to working to Type 3 SNSIAP.

The Welfare Rights Advisor will work with a degree of autonomy and is a team player and will play a role in developing and promoting the service. The role supports the relevant Service Managers to meet national and funder criteria, contributing to analysis, reviews and consultations to gather evidence and highlight the issues that our client base face.

A full Job Description is available for download below.