Armed Forces Community Social Prescribing Link Worker in Penzance

Active Plus are a Disability Confident employer and pride themselves on providing a safe and non‑judgemental workplace. We welcome applications from all members of society. Active Plus utilises the skills and experience of wounded, injured and sick military Veterans who work across the community inspiring and motivating people to be the best version of themselves. Through a variety of group and 1:1 intervention, Active Plus helps people to move forward in their lives, develop resilience and embrace change.

About the role

The Armed Forces Community Social Prescribing Link Worker service has been operating since 2021 and is distinctive in its delivery model, having been co‑designed to meet the needs of the Armed Forces Community. The service has demonstrated positive outcomes in supporting health and wellbeing, while also addressing wider determinants such as employment and social isolation. This role will support Veterans, their families and carers across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, covering all three Integrated Care Areas. The Armed Forces Community Social Prescribing Link Worker plays a central role in coordinating and delivering tailored support for individuals within the Armed Forces Community, working in partnership with the existing social prescribing workforce and other professionals.

The role includes delivering one-to-one support to individuals with a range of health needs, including those experiencing complex and multiple vulnerabilities. Key responsibilities include:

• Developing personalised care plans.
• Identifying and connecting individuals to appropriate services.
• Supporting access to funding.
• Acting as an advocate to ensure sustained engagement.

The postholder will also contribute to upskilling the wider workforce through delivery of a standardised Armed Forces Community training package and support the development of veteran‑aware organisations, including general practices.

Key relationships

• Internal: Active Plus Managing Director, Active Plus Operations Manager and Veteran Coordinator, Active Plus Business Support Officer, Active Plus Delivery Team.
• External: GPs, Practice Managers and other Healthcare professionals, Organisations serving veterans and the wider Armed Forces Community, Community organisations.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Receive referrals and undertake holistic assessments with individuals from the Armed Forces Community to identify needs, strengths, and goals, developing personalised action plans that support life aspirations and employment outcomes.
• Provide strengths‑based support using Making Every Contact Count and the Five Ways to Wellbeing, including brief interventions such as Initial Brief Advice on alcohol‑related harm, Very Brief Advice for smoking cessation, and signposting or referral for mental health support, suicide prevention, and domestic abuse and sexual violence services.
• Support individuals to build confidence, resilience, and independence, enabling them to manage their own needs and reduce reliance on services.
• Act as an advocate and guide, supporting individuals to navigate and access appropriate services across health, social care, and the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector.
• Work collaboratively with general practitioners, multidisciplinary health and social care teams, Integrated Care Board colleagues, Public Health, and voluntary and community sector partners to ensure coordinated and person‑centred support.
• Deliver training, education, and mentoring to social prescribers, allied health professionals, and wider voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations to improve understanding and support for the Armed Forces Community.
• Promote awareness of the Armed Forces Community and contribute to increasing the number of veteran‑aware and veteran‑friendly accredited organisations, including general practices and hospitals, working in partnership with relevant accreditation programmes.
• Attend and actively participate in community engagement and awareness events to promote the service and increase referrals from across partner organisations and the wider community.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of local services and community resources to support effective signposting and partnership working.
• Support improved identification of members of the Armed Forces Community to ensure equitable access to services and improved health and wellbeing outcomes.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and high‑quality case records on relevant systems, ensuring compliance with data protection requirements and organisational policies.
• Contribute to data collection, outcome measurement, and evaluation of the service, including capturing information on health, wellbeing, social isolation, and service outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, financial procedures, governance requirements, and organisational policies at all times.
• Undertake relevant training and continuous professional development to ensure effective delivery of the service.
• Carry out any additional duties and responsibilities as required.

Person specification

Essential

• Understanding of the Armed Forces Community and the challenges they may face, including health, social, and wellbeing needs.
• Experience of working with individuals with long-term conditions, complex needs, or social vulnerabilities.
• Experience of providing one‑to‑one support, including developing action plans or goal setting (for example SMART goals).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of individuals and professionals.
• Ability to work independently and manage a caseload effectively.
• Experience of working within or alongside health, social care, or voluntary and community sector services.
• Good IT skills and confidence in using digital systems for recording and reporting.
• Full clean UK driving licence, business class insurance and access to a vehicle.

Desirable

• Previous experience working with or within Armed Forces support services or veteran-focused organisations.
• Experience of working alongside general practitioners or multidisciplinary health and social care teams.
• Experience delivering or supporting community engagement, outreach, or referral‑generating activities.
• Experience working to targets, deadlines, or performance reporting requirements.
• Knowledge or experience of Making Every Contact Count, brief interventions, or health behaviour change approaches.
• Information, Advice and Guidance qualification or coaching qualification.
• Experience contributing to service evaluation, data collection, or outcomes reporting.

Applications should be sent to rob@activeplus.org.uk

Job Types: Full‑time, Fixed term contract

Contract length: 10 months

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Truro TR4 9DL