We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for an experienced Support & Development Worker to join our Midlothian Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Team.

In this rewarding role, you will support people experiencing mental health difficulties by developing, coordinating and facilitating psychoeducational and mental wellbeing groups across a range of community venues in Midlothian.

You will take a person-centred, trauma-informed, strengths-based and creative approach, helping individuals build confidence and self-value, develop coping strategies and access appropriate support. You may also be involved in recruiting, supporting and supervising volunteers to help with the groups.

We are looking for someone with experience in developing and delivering group-based activities, knowledge of mental health and self-help strategies, alongside excellent communication, administrative and organisational skills.

The role will be primarily office-based, with regular travel required to community venues across Midlothian. Flexibility in working hours will also be important to ensure our services meet the needs of the people we support.

If you are passionate about mental health and wellbeing, enjoy working collaboratively and want to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, we would love to hear from you!

This position is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.

Around since 1923, SAMH is Scotland’s national mental health charity. We have represented the voice of people most affected by mental health problems in Scotland for over 100 years. Today, in over 60 communities we work with adults and young people providing mental health social care support, services in primary care, schools and further education, among others.

These services together with our national programme work in The Nooks, respectme, suicide prevention and active living; inform our policy and campaign work to influence positive social change. SAMH is dedicated to mental health and wellbeing for all: with a vision of a society where people are able to live their lives fully, regardless of present or past circumstances.

For Scotland’s Mental Health

We have a vacancies for a Mental Health Practitioners - Forensic based in West Lothian. As a Mental Health Practitioner - Forensic, you will develop purposeful, professional relationships with people experiencing severe and enduring mental health problems who also have complex forensic, offending or justice-related histories.

Using a person-centred, recovery-focused and trauma-informed approach, you will work collaboratively with individuals to identify their goals, develop and review support plans, and contribute to robust risk assessment and risk-management planning.

You will support people to develop greater independence, sustain their accommodation, strengthen community connections and reduce factors associated with deterioration in mental health, relapse or further offending.

Working within clear professional boundaries, you will contribute to multi-disciplinary and multiagency planning, share relevant information appropriately, maintain high-quality records and support agreed safeguarding and public-protection arrangements.

What we are looking for

The successful candidate will demonstrate a responsible, compassionate and non-judgemental approach, together with excellent communication, listening and relationship-building skills. You will be able to balance person-centred and recovery-focused practice with professional curiosity, clear boundaries and proportionate management of risk.

Experience within mental health, forensic, criminal justice, homelessness or social care services is essential.

You should be able to:

• Contribute effectively to support planning, risk assessment and risk management.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to changes in an individual's presentation, behaviour or circumstances.
• Maintain clear, accurate and professionally appropriate records.
• Identify, communicate and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Work collaboratively with health, social care, criminal justice and other partner agencies.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries when supporting people with complex needs.
• Promote choice, rights, recovery and positive risk-taking while remaining attentive to individual and wider safety.
• Understand the importance of safeguarding, confidentiality, information sharing and public protection within a forensic setting.

An understanding of recovery, trauma-informed practice, safeguarding and the potential impact of offending or justice involvement on an individual's life would be desirable. Full induction and role-specific training would be provided.

Due to the wide area our service covers, access to you your own transport would be beneficial.

Our service operates 24/7 Monday – Sunday all year. Variable shift working is required (shift length from 8-12 hours) depending on service need. This role will require waking nights and weekend work.

What we will provide for you

You will work in a supportive environment and will be provided with a full induction and training opportunities. You will be given the chance to develop your knowledge and skills, as well as develop professionally. Some of our benefits include;

• Fully funded SVQ qualification to meet the conditions of your SSSC registration
• Reimbursement of PVG, Disclosure & SSSC annual fees and registration costs.
• Funded continuous learning and development opportunities, access to over 100 courses online in addition to classroom and virtual training sessions
• 30 days annual leave rising to 33 after 5 years’ service (pro rata)
• 4 public holidays (pro rata)
• 2 paid wellbeing days off per year to use on what matters to you (pro rata)
• Team wellbeing budgets
• Workplace pension scheme
• Life Assurance policy
• Employee Assistance Programme

Glasgow-based mental health charity Common Wheel is seeking a Volunteer Trustee Treasurer to join its Board

Organisation profile

Our vision is that people with mental illness in Glasgow can live a meaningful and satisfying life and contribute to society.

Our mission is to improve mental wellbeing, increase skills and reduce isolation through the provision of supported, meaningful activities for people with mental illness and dementia.

Our values are Care, Equality, Positivity and Partnership

We currently provide four principal activities as well as “drop-in” sessions at various Glasgow locations:

• Bicycle building, maintenance and repair at workshops in Maryhill and Bridgeton
• Participatory music, in a variety of settings
• Carnival art – creating art in all forms.
• Indoor climbing

We support people living in the local community, on hospital wards and in care homes. Over 500 people a year benefit from the work we do.

We will have an annual turnover of just under £300K and a permanent workforce of approximately seven staff, supported by volunteers and freelancers who help deliver our programmes.

Who are we looking for?

This is a volunteer role joining the existing Board of Trustees. The Treasurer will be a full trustee and will provide leadership and assurance on Common Wheel’s finances, while sharing collective responsibility for the charity’s governance and strategic direction.

We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with financial management, accounting or audit experience. A recognised accountancy qualification is welcome, but it is not essential where applicants can demonstrate strong financial literacy, sound judgement and experience of explaining financial information clearly to non-financial colleagues.

Experience of charity finance, governance, budgeting, risk management, reserves planning, payroll, funding or regulatory reporting would be valuable. The Treasurer should be collaborative and willing to work constructively with the Chair, Charity Manager, external Finance Manager, staff, trustees, independent examiner or auditor, and external advisers.

We welcome expressions of interest from younger candidates, women, people from ethnic minority communities, and disabled people, as we recognise our board would benefit from a greater diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.

Knowledge or experience of the charity or community sector is desirable but not essential. Direct experience of the issues our charity seeks to address is also welcome but not essential.

Role profile

As a trustee, the Treasurer shares the Board’s collective responsibilities and leads its scrutiny of financial matters. Key responsibilities include:

• ensuring that Common Wheel pursues its charitable purposes and complies with its governing document, charity law and other relevant legislation
• working with the Charity Manager, Finance Manager and relevant staff to prepare annual budgets, cash-flow forecasts and longer-term financial plans for Board approval
• presenting clear and timely financial reports to each Board meeting, highlighting performance against budget, cash position, forecasts, risks and decisions required
• helping trustees understand the charity’s financial position and the implications of strategic, operational and funding decisions
• overseeing the adequacy of financial controls, delegated authorities, banking arrangements, record keeping, fraud prevention and management of financial risk
• being an authorised user for banking purposes, able to deputise for the Finance Manager and other authorisers as required
• monitoring the charity’s reserves, restricted funds, income sustainability and use of resources, and advising the Board where corrective action is needed
• coordinating preparation and Board review of the annual accounts and trustees’ annual report, and liaising with the independent examiner or auditor
• supporting timely and accurate regulatory submissions, including annual returns and accounts, and helping ensure compliance with OSCR requirements, relevant accounting standards, tax and other applicable financial obligations
• contributing to strategic decision-making and working in partnership with the Project Manager and fellow trustees to achieve Common Wheel’s aims

The responsibilities of charity trustees in Scotland are set out in detail at oscr.org.uk/media/2728/v10_guidance-and-good-practice-for-charity-trustees.pdf

Time commitment

Board meetings typically take place on a Tuesday at 6pm each month and last for approximately 2 hours.

In addition, Trustees have historically taken part in an annual strategy development meeting, either at the weekend or extended evening session.

Trustees are also invited to join one of the sub-committees (currently focused on our bike project) or occasional working groups to suit their skills. These groups meet as and when necessary, at times to suit the members.

The Treasurer should also allow time between Board meetings to review management accounts, budgets, forecasts and year-end information; discuss material issues with the Chair and Project Manager; and liaise with the independent examiner or auditor. Additional time is likely around budget setting and preparation of the annual accounts.

Common Wheel is a small organisation supported by volunteers, so the Treasurer should be comfortable combining strategic oversight with occasional practical support, while respecting the distinction between governance and day-to-day management.

Expenses

All reasonable out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed.