An exciting position has become available for Community Link Workers based in our established service in West Lothian.

You will be involved in supporting the day to day running of 2 mental health and well-being hubs, based in Bathgate and Livingston. The hubs currently operate Monday-Friday 9-5.

You will be based in one of the Hubs working in a team of Link Workers and working positively as part of a small MDT including psychology, occupational therapy and mental health nurses.

You will also deliver psycho educational groups.

Organisation:

We are a Lanarkshire based charitable company with over 40 years experience providing a range of community based mental health and wellbeing services. We currently provide a range of services across Lanarkshire and West Lothian, as well as an information resource, charity shop, café and wellbeing centre. We are a Gold accredited IIP organisation.

Role Requirements:

• An understanding of mental health issues.
• Ability to treat people in a non judgemental and supportive manner.
• Excellent communication skills and a positive can-do attitude.
• Ability to build rapport easily and maintain positive and effective communications.
• Able to work independently in a proactive manner.
• Able to contribute to and work in conjunction with fellow staff to support organisational initiatives and developments in a uniform and positive manner.
• Confident in working closely with clinical staff, G.P.’s, practice staff and community agencies.
• Basic IT skills, working knowledge of office 365 desirable.

Role Responsibilities:

• Conducting initial structured assessments with people referred to service using standard internal paperwork and processes and liaising with clinical colleagues and other agencies where necessary.
• To provide individual support to service users in accordance with their agreed and pre-set plans, reviewing same and fulfilling key worker duties as required.
• To deliver individual and group based psycho educational interventions.
• To take part in supporting, delivering and reviewing groupings of service users where they may occur.
• To participate in local community activities that promote positive mental health awareness and assist to challenge stigma and discrimination.
• To keep accurate and up to date written records of service users support.
• To be proactive in promoting effective communication with relevant statutory and third sector agencies/professionals and their staff to ensure the best possible support arrangements are in place for service users and connections for future support/information and advice are also in place.
• To be proactive in relationships with NHS mental health nurses and GP practices ensuring positive working relationships are achieved.
• To be proactive in maintaining effective internal and external communications.
• To work positively as part of a team, your actions being conducive to promoting effective, open, honest and supportive teamwork.
• To actively participate in team meetings.
• To actively participate in regular supervision sessions to support your work and development, including annual appraisal and continued personal development.
• To maintain positive and current communications with senior staff and service manager to ensure service runs in a consistent and effective manner.
• To gather, record and collate data, including case studies/patient stories in a prescribed format for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
• To uphold and implement organisational policies, decisions and working practices in a consistent and positive manner at all times.

Why should you apply?

• The chance to join a well-established company.
• Opportunity to join a fantastic team.
• 35 days annual leave rising to 40 days, plus 1 well-being day per year.
• Fully funded SVQ qualification to meet SSSC requirements.
• Ongoing support for personal development needs.
• Contributory Pension up to 6%.
• Initial PVG Fees reimbursed.
• Annual performance related reward scheme in operation.

This post is subject to a PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) check and also reference checks.

Full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes is necessary. Travel Allowance paid.

You will become registered with SSSC if not already registered.

Applications from people who have personal experience of mental health difficulties are encouraged.

At present, there are an estimated 8,464 citizens living with dementia in Edinburgh. Around 300 of these people are under the age of 65 years old.

Would you like to make a difference to the lives of younger people living with dementia in Edinburgh?

Supporting individuals to keep connected to their communities, engage in their interests and hobbies and access peer support, using your own car to help people get around (mileage and expenses are paid).

Successful applicants will have a positive approach to dementia. You will also have good communication skills and a caring attitude. A willingness to learn and participate in training is essential. Relevant qualifications and/or experience of working with people with dementia would be an advantage.

This position requires applicants to be registered with Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). And successful candidates are expected to hold or work towards a professional qualification (minimum of SVQ2).

Full driving license and access to a vehicle during working time is essential for this post.

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.

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.