Job Purpose

The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for providing support to the Governance & People Lead by optimising all aspects of the volunteer experience within Empty Kitchens Full Hearts.

Location

Based in Granton, Edinburgh, working on a flexible hybrid basis. Requiring occasional attendance at events - such as recruitment fair and partnership events, and off -site meetings as required.

Duration

This is a funded role with a fixed 2 year term subject to review.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive - Governance & People, leading the Volunteer Services volunteers and liaising with Department Heads, to recruit, train and develop our volunteers, delivering a great volunteer experience throughout.

This is a permanent, full-time role within Scran Academy with the core purpose of supporting young people to gain confidence, experience and skills using food and cooking.

The successful candidate will help change the lives of young people facing exclusion by supporting them using food and cooking as a vehicle to build skills and confidence. The post holder will support young people from 11+, with core groups aged from 14+, to gain positive experiences through a blend of group work, vocational training, accreditation, 1-2-1 delivery and outcomes-driven youth work. This means that the successful candidate will be expected to inspire and be inspired by young people. Using food, cooking and the professional rigour expected in a kitchen, the post holder will design and deliver engaging sessions that give groups and individuals a strong sense of power and purpose.

The post holder will deliver across programmes within Scran, and will report to the CEO with oversight from both the Academy Programme Lead and the Food and Learning Manager.

A typical week would support delivery in various locations: Mondays, Fridays, and occasional weekends will flexibly support our catering and outreach programmes, either at our café site in Comely Bank, or at various locations from our famous food truck, the Scran Van. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays will be dedicated to co-delivering our Academy and Tutoring programmes in our site at the Gyle.

A full driving license for manual vehicles is essential for this role.

We are an organisation committed to the welfare and safety of young people. The Youth Development Food Worker will ensure child protection and safeguarding is upheld across the organisation.

We are a youth-led organisation. Young people come to us to learn in a bespoke way. They set their own outcomes and goals, and co-design the nature of the programme accordingly. This means both relationship-building and record-keeping are absolutely central to the role. The post holder will be expected to compassionately support young people to step outside their comfort zones and encourage them to develop positive growth mindsets.

We are an independent SQA centre, allowing us to offer young people the opportunity to gain qualifications outside of the classroom. The post holder will help design and deliver exciting, experiential learning sessions that maximise positive impact for young people. They will also proactively engage in all necessary compliance and training required for the SQA, and ensure continuous capture and celebration of young people’s progress.

Our success is underpinned by our catering social enterprise, and we provide real-life work experience and confidence-boosting opportunities that shift power dynamics, create trust through responsibility, and establish pride and a positive regard for work. The Youth Development Food Worker will facilitate to ensure young people are engaged with opportunities across our organisation.

It is expected that the successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to excellence in all aspects of the job.

This role embodies our values: We Love, We Trust, We Unite and We Lead:

We Love – the successful candidate will nurture young people. They will care deeply and see all behaviour as communication that deserves a dignified response. They will be non-judgemental and take a trauma-informed approach.

We Trust – the successful candidate will believe in the potential of young people. They will trust them to be the expert of their own life and circumstance. They will support young people to take responsible steps in learning, work and life.

We Unite – the successful candidate will courageously bring young people together. They will aim to create safe spaces where stepping outside comfort zones is supported and encouraged.

We Lead – the successful candidate will see all young people as leaders in their own lives. They will be ready to both lead and be led by young people. They will listen and provide a platform for young people to lead their learning and thrive.

To provide high quality advice and representation to individuals and families on income maximisation, welfare benefits, debit, housing and money, in line with the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers.

The advice will be provided within a range of settings from GP surgeries, schools, Mental Health & Recovery Hubs and local community venues.

By joining our team, you will be helping alleviate poverty and improve individuals, families and children’s lives and ensure our Vision is fulfilled, in that no one in our communities endures hardship.

Role and Responsibilities

Advice

• Provide high quality accurate advice, information and representation in line with the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers.

• Build positive trusting relationships with individuals and families requiring advice.

• Conduct interviews with clients either in person, telephone or virtual.

• Maintain accurate records and fully utilise the Advice Pro recording system.

• Manage and maintain ongoing advice casework.

• Communicate effectively with third parties on behalf of the client.

• Signpost people to relevant specialist support services where appropriate.

• Maintain accurate computer records in line with CHAI procedures and ensure all client mandates are in line with Data protection legislation.

• Provide consultation support to other professionals on advice.

Service Development

• Support the development of services within their various locations, through maintaining positive relationships with our partner organisations, health care professionals, community link workers, social workers, and support workers.

• Promote the service and represent CHAI to other agencies.

• Deliver training or briefing sessions to help other professionals understand the welfare system and how they can support individuals.

• Prepare as required reports on the outcomes and impact of the service to the Service Manager and Partners.

Personal Development

• Actively participate in all training sessions provided.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of development in welfare benefits, debt issues and housing issues and participate in any training and activities.

• Keep accurate individual training records.

Organisational

• Adhere to the policies and procedures of CHAI.

• Actively participate in Team and Organisational meetings

• Participate in the development of CHAI services.

• Feedback on the review of organisational policies and procedures.

• Promote and represent CHAI services positively.

• Perform other reasonable related duties as required.

We offer the following

• Flexible working

• Access to Simply Health benefit plan

• 32 days annual leave (inclusive of public holidays)

• Enrolment to NOW Pension Scheme

• Extensive training programme

• Full and part time opportunities

• Supportive work environment

• Opportunities to improve services and make a difference

Are you passionate about being part of a team who support individuals and families who have experienced baby loss across Scotland? With thanks to the continued support of the National Lottery who have funded our Hospital to Home Project in the Lothians since our Pilot and now for a further three years, we are looking to recruit a part time Hospital to Home Worker.

Hospital to Home is an opt out service which supports families to transition from the hospital setting to being back in the community. 6-8 sessions are offered, to support and guide families in the very early days of their loss, enhancing existing community services to provide long term peer bereavement support.

More information on the role, candidate essential and desirable criteria as well as the staff benefits offered can be found on the Job Description included below.

More about us:

Held in our Hearts is a small but mighty and growing Scottish charity providing baby loss counselling and peer support to families. We have over 40 years’ experience of offering compassionate bereavement care to individuals and families and working closely with a range of partners including the NHS, Scottish Government and the third sector.

Our values of empathy, connection and love underpin all that we do and guide us as we continue to grow and expand our services and reach. Our support services include counselling, one to one peer support, our innovative early intervention Hospital to Home service, group support and events.

In recent years, we have expanded our team and extended our geographical reach to bereaved families from Edinburgh and the Lothians to Fife, Forth Valley and the Highlands.

For more information about our charity, please feel free to visit our website at heldinourhearts.org.uk