Express Group Fife is an established mental health charity with a network of social groups throughout Fife. The aim of the groups is to promote positive mental wellbeing by providing a safe place for sharing experiences and peer support. This aim is as relevant today as it was in 1977, when Express Group Fife started to operate, and the number of people living in the community with mental health problems is as large as ever.

We are looking to recruit two Group Co-ordinators.

Post 1: for Central Fife to cover groups in Lochgelly, Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes.

Post 2: for East Fife to cover groups in Methil, Cupar, St Andrews and Tayport.

There are 4 elements to the service:

• Working with groups of people around a shared activity
• Providing a basic healthy lunch
• Supporting service users in the development of individual support/recovery plans
• Mental health promotion and community development work.

Job purpose:

• To support the team in working effectively with individuals by supporting service users in a group setting and assisting in the management of individuals.
• To co-ordinate and manage day support groups; in consultation with the Manager and caseworker, be responsible for the management of groups.
• To co-ordinate, manage, monitor and review the development of the groups in order to make them interesting and relevant to the people who attend.
• To provide emotional and practical support to service users with high support needs.
• To enable provision of a basic healthy lunch.

We are a small charity that supports military and emergency service veterans who struggle with mental and physical health problems. The therapy team work in a garden site in Dundee. Management functions are carried out by 5 trustees who work from home but are encouraged to drop into the garden to chat with therapists and veterans. We are looking for a trustee to join this management team. Time commitment is up to the individual, their availability and particular skills. Salary and account functions are carried out by the auditors. A background in management, finance, mental health, horticulture, the public sector, human resources or the military would be useful. The charity has a good record of success helping veterans and a sound reputation for administration.

Who we are

The charity aims to help veterans recover their health to a level that enables them to return to work, further education/training or an acceptable level of independent living. Staff also collaborate with a range of local support agencies to address problems such as

finance, housing, mobility limitations, abuse, employment, training and physical health. Staff have created a dedicated therapeutic space where veterans feel safe and are able to engage in a wide range of activities to suit individual needs and abilities. The site is run by 3 qualified staff aided by a gardener. The charity is comfortable supporting 16 veterans and their families at any one time.

Beneficiaries

All beneficiaries engage voluntarily. Most are slow to seek support and need help to understand their problems. Some have a history of substance abuse and require the help of primary care GP services. A fear of crowded places can stop veterans attending crucial medical appointments so that they fall through the safety net provided by the NHS. Social isolation is common. Aided by the therapy team, veterans are encouraged to complete any NHS treatments offered, reconnect with family, friends and community and make new friends in the garden. Former beneficiaries can return for further support if needed.

Our search

Three DTG trustees have been with the charity since it began in 2016. We are looking for a new trustee to inject fresh ideas and up to date skills. We have recently been joined by a volunteer administrator and a volunteer fundraiser. Both have a range of management experience. They have persuaded us to upgrade our IT systems to enhance security, enable remote access and set up role specific email accounts. We have a strong, well qualified team running the Garden and want to ensure that the management team continues to have the right strengths and skills to support them.

We are looking for a Community Activity Organiser in West Lothian based in our office Unit 1 Grampian Court, Beveridge Square, Livingston, EH54 6QF.

The post holder will work in partnership with colleagues, people with Memory concerns, dementia and their families to:

• Plan, develop and facilitate a wide range of therapeutic and social activities
• Promote activities through social media and other platforms
• Support delivery of 9 outreach Community Cafes in West Lothian
• Review and evaluate activities providing regular reports of outcomes
• Produce a monthly programme detailing the services available, as outlined by the Centre Manager, and promote this widely across the networks.
• Be a local point of contact and carry out the associated administrative tasks/business banking.
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills

The post holder will deliver a combination of online groups as well as in person. Proficiency and confidence in using and supporting use of digital platforms are essential for this role along with proficiency in standard office software and IT systems, will enable you to coordinate activities seamlessly

Successful candidates will have a positive approach to dementia supported by excellent communication and networking skills and an empathic, positive attitude. Having a creative flair and being a self-starter would also be an advantage as well as having experience of working with people with dementia. A willingness to develop through ongoing learning is essential.

Occasional evening and weekend work may be required and a driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential to the role.

We’re recruiting an Operations Manager who will work with colleagues and partners to deliver our programme bringing people, services and organisations across sector together to create a mental health system powered by lived experience.

We are seeking an experience manager with great people and organisational skills. You will have a passion for ensuring the effective delivery of varied work programmes and projects which promote and support recovery and peer support in mental health.

Operations Manager

You will be committed to values-based practice, mental health recovery and excited by the opportunity to work with others to bring about much needed change in our mental health system.

If you would like an informal discussion about this post, please contact Louise Christie, Director, Scottish Recovery Network at: louise.christie@scottishrecovery.net