An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Alzheimer Scotland as a Dementia Advisor within the Aberdeenshire (North, South & Central) area on a permanent, part-time basis (25 hours per week).

The Dementia Advisor role is key to our local services and is often the first point of contact for individuals and families following a diagnosis of dementia. This role is central to our success in ensuring people living with dementia, and those who care for them, have timely access to high-quality advice, information and support within their local community.

The post holder will provide practical advice, emotional support and guidance, alongside access to resources, community activities, groups and other programmes that help sustain independence for as long as possible. Dementia Advisors support families at any stage, offering responsive, person-centred support tailored to individual needs.

The Dementia Advisor will work within their local communities to promote dementia-friendly approaches and strengthen partnership working across services and community networks.

This role will also include line management responsibility for three Community Activities Organisers and may involve contributing to monitoring and reporting on service activity and outcomes.

The successful candidate will work across North, South and Central Aberdeenshire; therefore, some travel will be required. We are flexible regarding the base location of the post holder.

We are seeking a dynamic and compassionate individual who can take a flexible, creative and person-centred approach to supporting people living with dementia, their families and carers. The role requires warmth, empathy, strong relationship-building skills and a good understanding of dementia.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• A clear understanding of the aims and values of Alzheimer Scotland
• Excellent communication and networking skills
• A recognised professional qualification and/or relevant experience
• A willingness to learn and engage in ongoing professional development

Relevant qualifications and/or experience of working with people living with dementia, as well as experience of facilitating group work or training, would be advantageous.

You will be required to have a full driving licence and access to a car.

For a full job description please see the attachment above.

The successful candidate for this post will be subject to a criminal check through Disclosure Scotland.

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 Project / Service

As a Change Mental Health practitioner, you work directly with service users who require immediate or on going emotional, practical or vocational support in order to deliver the best possible outcomes. You will work with service users to develop and review personal plans, although ultimate oversight rests with the Senior Project Worker. You work closely with other members of staff to achieve outcomes as defined by my line manager. Within the area team there is a clear line management structure which supports and shapes the practice. You will contribute to an environment where people can relax, re-establish social skills and enhance their quality of life.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work as part of a team building positive working relationships.
• In partnership with service users, implement outcome focused development plans as designed/overseen by my line manager to enable service users to achieve their identified goals.
• To achieve outcomes, Employ several appropriate intervention strategies including positive communication skills.
• Ensure that the Resource Centre is welcoming, clean, tidy and safe.
• Carry out ongoing risk assessment that is integral to ensure the wellbeing of service users.
• Demonstrate group work skills which bring people together in a safe environment
• Have an awareness of appropriate professional boundaries including confidentiality
• Understand the requirements of Health and Safety in the workplace and follow Change Mental Health policies.

General Duties:

• Act 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
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements such as provisions set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• As with all employees, workers and volunteers; to encourage people to join Change Mental Health as a member, donor or activist
• To act in accordance with the charity’s Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies and to notify your line manager promptly if there are any concerns
• To participate in regular supervision and appraisal and undertake any relevant training as appropriate to the role
• To work in accordance with the charity’s national policies and local operating procedures and those of external regulators or professional bodies

Essential Criteria:

• Ideally educated to SVQ level 2 or have relevant experience working in health and social care
• Able to plan and prioritise your workload
• My professional self -awareness means that I can seek support and advice from my line manager appropriately and participate in supervision and support meetings positively
• Empathetic and caring
• A personal and professional value base is consistent with the aims and objectives of Change Mental Health
• Practice that is firmly based within a model of recovery
• Demonstrate genuine regard for service users and their families
• Have good I.T. skills and can produce accurate case notes
• Enthusiastic to develop my knowledge and skills

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working with people affected by mental illness
• Experience of working in a SSSC Registered Service
• A learning and development portfolio which evidences my skills and knowledge.

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.

Feniks Counselling, Personal Development and Support Services Ltd. is seeking a passionate and driven Policy Development Officer to champion the rights of Polish and other Central and Eastern European (CEE) communities in Scotland.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape policy, influence decision-makers and amplify community voices at local and national level.

The Role

You will lead on policy and advocacy work, engaging with stakeholders including statutory services and the Scottish Government. Working closely with colleagues and community members, you will gather evidence, develop briefings and consultation responses, raise awareness of key issues, and support greater civic participation.

The role is primarily home-based, with occasional office attendance and travel as required. We warmly welcome applications from candidates based outside Edinburgh.

About You

You will bring at least two years’ experience in policy or advocacy work, excellent research and report-writing skills, and confidence engaging with stakeholders at all levels. Fluency in English and Polish is essential.

We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, collaborative and committed to equality, human rights and social justice.

Annual leave:34 days per annum, pro rata

Feniks is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Polish Community Link Worker to support mainly the Polish community in Edinburgh to access public and third-sector services. This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established organisation working to improve the wellbeing and protect the rights of Central and Eastern European communities.

About the role

The Link Worker will provide information, advice and guidance to individuals, helping them overcome barriers and access appropriate services. The postholder will support clients with practical, emotional, health, education and welfare needs, and where necessary accompany them to appointments.

Working closely with healthcare professionals, social services and community organisations, you will play a key role in social prescribing and advocacy. You will also contribute to awareness-raising through social media, maintain accurate case records in line with GDPR, and support monitoring and reporting processes.

The role forms part of Feniks’ wider advocacy work supporting the rights of the Polish community in Scotland.

About you

You will have at least two years’ experience in a similar role working directly with marginalised or hard-to-reach groups.

You will demonstrate:

• Experience supporting vulnerable individuals facing complex issues
• Strong assessment and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Fluency in both English and Polish (essential)
• Good knowledge of issues affecting CEE communities, including mental health, social exclusion and immigration matters

A relevant qualification (for example, in social work, healthcare, psychology, community development or similar) is desirable.

Additional information

The role may involve occasional evening or weekend work. Some office and face-to-face work will be required. The successful candidate will be required to join the PVG Scheme.

Feniks offers a supportive team environment and in-house clinical supervision in recognition of the emotional demands of the role.

If you are passionate about equality, human rights and supporting communities to thrive, we would be delighted to hear from you.