At present, there are an estimated 8,464 citizens living with dementia in Edinburgh. Around 300 of these people are under the age of 65 years old.

Would you like to make a difference to the lives of younger people living with dementia in Edinburgh?

Supporting individuals to keep connected to their communities, engage in their interests and hobbies and access peer support, using your own car to help people get around (mileage and expenses are paid).

Successful applicants will have a positive approach to dementia. You will also have good communication skills and a caring attitude. A willingness to learn and participate in training is essential. Relevant qualifications and/or experience of working with people with dementia would be an advantage.

This position requires applicants to be registered with Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). And successful candidates are expected to hold or work towards a professional qualification (minimum of SVQ2).

Full driving license and access to a vehicle during working time is essential for this post.

We are looking for unique individuals who can support people living with dementia in a community groups and day care setting, in such a way that is personalised to the individual’s needs and supports their wellbeing.

Our support workers are our most important people as they provide front line support. Our support workers help individuals to maintain skills and independence by providing support to enable them to be active within their communities, participate in therapeutic activities and enjoy social stimulation.

Successful applicants will have a positive approach to dementia. They will also have good communication skills and a caring attitude. A willingness to learn and participate in training is essential. Relevant qualifications and/or experience of working with people with dementia would be an advantage.

An exciting position has become available for Community Link Workers based in our established service in West Lothian.

You will be involved in supporting the day to day running of 2 mental health and well-being hubs, based in Bathgate and Livingston. The hubs currently operate Monday-Friday 9-5.

You will be based in one of the Hubs working in a team of Link Workers and working positively as part of a small MDT including psychology, occupational therapy and mental health nurses.

You will also deliver psycho educational groups.

Organisation:

We are a Lanarkshire based charitable company with over 40 years experience providing a range of community based mental health and wellbeing services. We currently provide a range of services across Lanarkshire and West Lothian, as well as an information resource, charity shop, café and wellbeing centre. We are a Gold accredited IIP organisation.

Role Requirements:

• An understanding of mental health issues.
• Ability to treat people in a non judgemental and supportive manner.
• Excellent communication skills and a positive can-do attitude.
• Ability to build rapport easily and maintain positive and effective communications.
• Able to work independently in a proactive manner.
• Able to contribute to and work in conjunction with fellow staff to support organisational initiatives and developments in a uniform and positive manner.
• Confident in working closely with clinical staff, G.P.’s, practice staff and community agencies.
• Basic IT skills, working knowledge of office 365 desirable.

Role Responsibilities:

• Conducting initial structured assessments with people referred to service using standard internal paperwork and processes and liaising with clinical colleagues and other agencies where necessary.
• To provide individual support to service users in accordance with their agreed and pre-set plans, reviewing same and fulfilling key worker duties as required.
• To deliver individual and group based psycho educational interventions.
• To take part in supporting, delivering and reviewing groupings of service users where they may occur.
• To participate in local community activities that promote positive mental health awareness and assist to challenge stigma and discrimination.
• To keep accurate and up to date written records of service users support.
• To be proactive in promoting effective communication with relevant statutory and third sector agencies/professionals and their staff to ensure the best possible support arrangements are in place for service users and connections for future support/information and advice are also in place.
• To be proactive in relationships with NHS mental health nurses and GP practices ensuring positive working relationships are achieved.
• To be proactive in maintaining effective internal and external communications.
• To work positively as part of a team, your actions being conducive to promoting effective, open, honest and supportive teamwork.
• To actively participate in team meetings.
• To actively participate in regular supervision sessions to support your work and development, including annual appraisal and continued personal development.
• To maintain positive and current communications with senior staff and service manager to ensure service runs in a consistent and effective manner.
• To gather, record and collate data, including case studies/patient stories in a prescribed format for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
• To uphold and implement organisational policies, decisions and working practices in a consistent and positive manner at all times.

Why should you apply?

• The chance to join a well-established company.
• Opportunity to join a fantastic team.
• 35 days annual leave rising to 40 days, plus 1 well-being day per year.
• Fully funded SVQ qualification to meet SSSC requirements.
• Ongoing support for personal development needs.
• Contributory Pension up to 6%.
• Initial PVG Fees reimbursed.
• Annual performance related reward scheme in operation.

This post is subject to a PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) check and also reference checks.

Full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes is necessary. Travel Allowance paid.

You will become registered with SSSC if not already registered.

Applications from people who have personal experience of mental health difficulties are encouraged.

The Mental Health Foundation is recruiting for a Project Officer to support our exciting Art of Family Life project.

This exciting Project Officer role will coordinate the delivery of the ‘Art of Family Life’ project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This role will take an innovative approach to bringing together heritage learning to positively impact on the wellbeing of people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds living in Scotland. Key tasks of the role will include recruiting volunteers and sessional workers to support an oral history collection programme. This will be followed by a creative process to explore how the heritage of family life among families from refugee backgrounds can be curated and shared publicly.

What does the role involve?

• Promoting the programme to a wide range of audiences including with refugee led community organisations
• Coordinating with project partners and supporters including Oral History Centre at the University of Strathclyde, Common Ground at the Centre for Contemporary Arts and Glasgow Life and organising project events
• Recruiting and supporting sessional workers volunteers to promote and engage project activities
• Collect project impact data and support reporting to funder(s) on progress and finances

Requirements

What skills, knowledge and experience are we looking for?

• Good knowledge and understanding of volunteering
• Experience of working within the heritage/cultural/community sector
• Experience of developing and delivering events and activities
• Experience of developing partnerships and maintaining relationships with external organisations

Safeguarding is Everyone’s business – Mental Health Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its beneficiaries, those who surround them, its staff, volunteers, and anyone else who comes into contact with its services and expects all trustees, staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate vetting procedures (proof of eligibility to work in the UK, proof of residency and satisfactory employment screening, including a Disclosure check and two most recent references) along with 3-year renewals of Disclosure checks. We are unable to provide sponsorship for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK.