Auchinleck Community Development Initiative is a company limited by guarantee and was formed in 2005 to assist in the
regeneration of the physical, economic, social and cultural infrastructure of the community of Auchinleck in
particular but also the surrounding area.
Over the years we have developed & provided a range of activities and projects including the Knowe Garden Centre
and other floral and fauna displays, musical entertainment, employability advice and information, addiction
recovery services, community cinema and various children and young people's activities and youth clubs. The
organisation is based in the local Boswell Community Centre where most of our activities and services take
place.
We have recently negotiated a 10-year lease of the Centre from East Ayrshire Leisure Trust and aim to make it a
central focal point of the community in which the residents will have a full managerial role to play.
The work of ACDI is guided by our 5-year Development plan and specific Action Plans which are currently being
reviewed to take account of our new role as managers of the Boswell Centre. The Community development Worker
will play a key role in the review and implementation of these plans which will have a strong emphasis on
capacity building within our existing groups and those developed in the future.
THE ROLE
As a community development worker working with the Auchinleck Community Development Initiative you'll work with
the organisation's existing projects, individuals, families, the wider community and partners, supporting
them to:
- build trusting and supportive relationships with you and the wider team
- identify their assets, needs,
opportunities, rights and responsibilities
- co-produce what they want to achieve and take appropriate
action
- co-design activities and services to generate aspiration and confidence
- achieve a status
of independence and self-government.
You'll do this by acting as a link between the Organisation, the local community and a range of other local
authority and voluntary sector providers to ensure that the Boswell Centre is a well-used resource and a focal
point within the community
Your role will frequently involve addressing inequality and the projects you work on will be in communities perceived
to be culturally, economically or geographically disadvantaged.
Responsibilities
As a Community Development Worker you will:
- Assist in the development of the Boswell Community Centre as a multi-functional Hub within the
community
- Work with existing groups to help them build capacity and become self-managed, dynamic and an
active force for regeneration within the community
- Co-design projects/initiatives which assist in
tackling specific issues (e.g. health and wellbeing, cost of living, unemployment, children and young people
etc.) - with people living in Auchinleck.
- Seek to actively engage the community in addressing the issues
which affect their lives and help them develop partnerships with neighbouring communities and relevant services
in tackling common goals
- Set goals for improvement and respond to problems and needs through active
participation;
- Identify community skills, assets, issues and needs;
- Ensure that local people are
able to participate in decision making processes which affect their lives at local, Ayrshire and Scotish
level
- Develop new resources in dialogue with the community and evaluate existing
programmes;
- Recruit and train volunteers;
- Build links with other groups and agencies in the
local community and liaise with interested groups and individuals to establish new services;
- Help to
raise public awareness on ACDI and the issues relevant to the community;
- Prepare reports for the
Development Manager and Board of Directors
- Oversee the management of a limited budget;
- Plan,
attend and coordinate meetings and events;
- Carry out general administrative duties.
Skills
You'll need to show:
- Good relationship building approaches
- An ability to connect with children, young people and their
families
- Calmness in situations that arise in the Hub and wider community
- A solid understanding
of child protection, safeguarding and risk assessments
- Advocacy and networking skills;
- Excellent
communication, interpersonal and team-building skills;
- Good listening skills;
- Research and
report-writing skills;
- Knowledge and understanding of community and social issues;
- A
non-judgemental and positive attitude;
- Creative thinking and problem-solving ability;
- Political,
social and negotiating skills;
- An understanding of how public sector bodies work;
- Compassion and
the ability to empathise with people's life experiences;
- Life experience and language skills can be
an aid to this role and help you make important connections with those you are helping.
What to expect
- You may have an office base but will spend much of your time out and about in the community, visiting local
people and groups and attending meetings.
- Working with members of the community who are impacted by
poverty can be both inspiring and unpredictable. Results are long term rather than immediate, so patience and
perseverance are essential.
- You'll have frequent contact with people, agencies and groups in the
community.
Therefore, travel within a working day is to be expected. Absence from home overnight is unlikely but may be required
on occasion.
You need to be accessible to the communities you serve. This means the work will often include unsocial hours, such
as evenings and weekends, so considerable flexibility is required.
A relevant degree in Community Work / Community Development / Youth Work will be considered, as well as extensive
experience in a similar role. A commitment to ongoing professional development is welcomed with accreditation
and learning qualifications considered.
Lived experience of adversity, poverty and / or trauma are welcomed within the role.
Applications should be sent toLeon@auchinleckacdi.co.ukalong with a CV