At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a project supporting people with dementia and manage a team of volunteers.
- Company: Join a compassionate organisation dedicated to improving lives in Ayrshire.
- Benefits: Earn £14/hr, enjoy 5.6 weeks holiday, and contribute to a meaningful cause.
- Other info: Flexible hours and opportunities for personal growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Educational qualifications and experience in volunteer management are essential.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 32000 £ per year.
Reports to: Dementia Befriending Manager/ CEO
Hours of Work: 16hrs per week
Salary: £14 per/hr paid 26th month, employer’s contribution-based Pension.
Contract: Until end 30th September 2027
Holidays: 5.6 weeks based on contracted hours, inclusive of public holidays
Purpose of the post: To develop and deliver a safe and reliable Dementia befriending and Wellbeing cafes project. Supporting people living with Dementia and the unpaid carer/s throughout Ayrshire. To promote and support the recruitment and management of volunteers in Ayrshire. To contribute to the administration, monitoring, evaluation and development of the Befriending project.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop & deliver a high-quality befriending service and Wellbeing cafes.
- Recruit and select volunteer befrienders for the project, ensuring you follow AILN’s thorough and robust selection process for potential befrienders.
- Prepare and train volunteers for their role so that they can offer effective support to the people who use the project.
- Ensure there is a clear process for the identification and referral of service users.
- Visit, assess and prepare people for their involvement with the project.
- Respond to enquiries in a timely manner and match service users with befrienders according to clear guidelines.
- Ensure that participants in the project are adequately safeguarded.
- Support and supervise volunteers and help them develop in their role.
- Monitor the befriending relationships to ensure they are operating successfully and that outcomes for the individuals involved are being met.
- Evaluate the overall effectiveness of the service and the outcomes achievable.
- Prepare a report accordingly including the number of users, outcomes for service users and the service, recommendations for improvements and future developments for the service, reporting back to the Dementia Befriending project Manager.
- Develop volunteer recruitment campaigns and where appropriate, work in collaboration with other agencies including volunteer recruitment agencies.
- Identify risk and ensure appropriate risk assessments are carried out and comply with health and safety requirements.
- Attend, arrange and coordinate awareness raising and recruitment events across Ayrshire.
- Undertake any other duties appropriate to the post as required by the Dementia Befriending Project Manager/CEO.
Person Specification:
Qualifications: Evidence of educational qualifications gained at school, college or university.
Essential Experience:
- Supporting or managing volunteers
- Delivering support services
- IT Confident
- Experience/knowledge of working/living with someone living with dementia.
- Working with vulnerable adults
- Understanding the need for confidentiality
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
- Able to set priorities and manage a workload while remaining responsive to the project
- Ability to audit and evaluate the service whilst maintaining accurate records and statistics to produce reports for the Project Manager/CEO.
Desirable Experience:
- Recruitment of volunteer and/or staff management
- Experience of overseeing a befriending or mentoring service
- Planning and delivering training
- Experience of developing strong partnerships and joint working arrangements with other organisations.
- Personal experience of volunteering
Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent telephone, verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent listening skills.
- Ability to be self‑administering in terms of IT, including using Microsoft Office and email systems.
- Ability to communicate with people in a sensitive and person‑centred manner, including people who require support, carers, other professionals and members of the public
- Ability to organise, plan and prioritise own work and meet deadlines whilst remaining responsive to others.
Other:
- Given that AILN provide an Ayrshire wide service, a current driving license and access to a car is essential
- By prior arrangement able to work hours flexibly, including a very occasional evening and/or weekend to suit the needs of the service
- Must be willing to comply with AILN’s policies and procedures.
- Must participate in staff team meetings and in supervision sessions with the Line Manager of this post.
- Must maintain confidentiality in relation to the people who use AILN’s service, other stakeholders and AILN’s business activities.
- Must carry out the duties of this post with due regard to Equal Opportunities and Non‑Discriminatory practice.
Contact: befriending@ailn.org
Dementia Coordinator in Ardrossan employer: Ayrshire Independent Living Network
As a Dementia Coordinator with AILN, you will be part of a compassionate and dedicated team committed to enhancing the lives of individuals living with dementia across Ayrshire. Our supportive work culture prioritises employee growth through training and development opportunities, while our flexible working hours and generous holiday allowance ensure a healthy work-life balance. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the community, where your contributions are valued and recognised.
Contact Details:
Ayrshire Independent Living Network Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Dementia Coordinator in Ardrossan
✨Get Involved with Local Causes
Start connecting with local nonprofits or social impact projects in your area. Attend their events, offer to help out with community initiatives, or just drop by to chat about their mission. This way, you’ll not only learn about the work they do but also make meaningful connections that could lead to volunteer opportunities.
✨Leverage Social Media for Social Impact
Platforms like Twitter and Instagram are goldmines for discovering volunteer opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Follow organisations you’re passionate about, engage with their posts, and keep an eye out for their volunteer calls. It’s a great way to show your interest and dedication!
✨Utilise Volunteer Matching Platforms
Sites like VolunteerMatch or local community boards are perfect for finding short-term and long-term volunteer roles. These platforms can connect you with causes that align with your passions and skills, and often allow you to browse opportunities tailored to your interests.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
When you spot an organisation you like, don't hesitate to visit their website and check out their volunteer section. Many nonprofits have dedicated pages for volunteers where you can apply directly – and we’ve found that this route often leads to quicker responses and more personalised interactions!
We think you need these skills to ace Dementia Coordinator in Ardrossan
Some tips for your application 🫡
Share Your Passion for Social Impact:When you're applying for a volunteer role at a nonprofit like Ayrshire Independent Living Network, don’t just list your skills. Show us why you're passionate about social impact! Use your cover letter to tell a story about what drives you and how you've been involved in similar initiatives. Personal connections to the cause can really make your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to showcase any previous volunteer work or projects that demonstrate your commitment to social impact. Whether it’s fundraising, community outreach, or project management, detail your contributions and the results achieved. This kind of experience is invaluable in the nonprofit sector and can help us see your potential!
Get Creative with Your CV:In the world of nonprofits, a standard CV might not cut it. Consider using a more creative format that showcases your personality while maintaining professionalism. Use headings like 'Community Engagement' or 'Social Impact Projects' to highlight your experiences related to the role. Remember, we want to see what makes you unique!
Keep It Community-Focused:Make sure your application emphasises collaboration and community. Volunteer roles are about working well with others and contributing collectively towards a common goal. In your cover letter, mention any teamwork experiences or community projects you've been part of, and how you contributed to their success. This shows that you’re ready to jump into the collaborative spirit here at Ayrshire Independent Living Network.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ayrshire Independent Living Network
✨Know Your Passion
Dive deep into the mission of Ayrshire Independent Living Network and understand the issues they tackle. When they ask about your motivation to volunteer, share specific experiences that link your passion to their cause—whether it’s local community work or a broader social impact.
✨Bring Your Skills to the Table
Highlight any relevant skills that can aid in their projects, such as fundraising, project management, or community organising. Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve used these skills in past volunteer roles or relevant experiences.
✨Get Ready for Scenario Questions
In non-profit interviews, especially for volunteer roles, you might get scenario-based questions. Think about times when you've encountered challenges in team work or community engagement, and how you resolved them—this shows your problem-solving abilities.
✨Show Your Commitment
Since this is a volunteer role, they’ll likely want to see your commitment to the cause over an extended period. Be ready to discuss how much time you can dedicate, any special skills you can bring, and your eagerness to learn and grow with the organisation—this excites them to have you on board!
