At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and coordinate operations at two Crisis Café sites, supporting staff and volunteers.
- Company: Join Richmond Borough Mind, a vital service promoting mental health recovery.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 25 days annual leave, professional development, and employee assistance programme.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in mental health while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership, communication skills, and experience in mental health services.
Are you passionate about making a real difference in mental health services? Do you have strong leadership skills and a commitment to promoting recovery and wellbeing? If so, we want to hear from you. We are seeking a Crisis Café Team Coordinator to join our dynamic Journey Recovery Hub, a vital out-of-hours service supporting individuals experiencing mental health crises in Richmond and Kingston.
The Role
As the Crisis Café Team Coordinator, you will work in partnership with a second Crisis Cafe Team Coordinator to:
- Lead and coordinate the daily operations of two Crisis Café sites.
- Support a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, fostering a welcoming and collaborative environment.
- Deliver high-quality, person-centred care that empowers individuals to manage their mental health and avoid crises.
- Build strong partnerships with local services, promoting the Café and its impact.
- Drive service excellence, identifying areas for improvement and ensuring compliance with best practices.
This role combines casework with operational management, offering an exciting opportunity to develop your leadership skills while making a meaningful impact in the community.
What You’ll Bring
We’re looking for someone who excels in leadership, organisation and communication, with the ability to manage high-intensity environments and complex situations.
Essential Skills and Experience:
- Proven ability to support individuals in crisis, helping them develop self-management strategies.
- Experience managing small teams and volunteers.
- Strong understanding of mental health services and the recovery approach.
- Excellent communication and administrative skills.
Desirable Skills:
- Mental Health First Aid or Suicide Prevention training.
- Knowledge of national suicide prevention strategies.
What We Offer
- A supportive and collaborative work environment.
- Opportunities for professional development, including training and supervision.
- The chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals experiencing mental health crises.
- Flexible working.
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays per year, increasing by 1 day per full year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days) [pro rata].
- Contributory pension.
- Bonus 1 day of annual leave per year over the festive period (pro rata).
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which includes free counselling sessions.
- Paid time off for medical appointments.
- Staff away days and socials.
Shifts include evenings and weekends across two locations:
- Hampton Road, Twickenham, TW2 5QB.
- Alfriston Centre, 3 Berrylands Road, Surbiton, Kingston, KT5 8RB.
If you are ready to lead with compassion, resilience, and strategic insight, apply today to become part of our dedicated team! We are actively interviewing for this role. The successful candidate will need to undergo an Enhanced DBS check. Richmond Borough Mind is committed to equal opportunities and encourages applications from all backgrounds.
Let’s build a stronger, healthier community together.
Crisis Café Team Coordinator employer: Richmond Borough Mind
Richmond Borough Mind is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in mental health services. With a supportive and collaborative work environment, employees benefit from professional development opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and generous annual leave policies. Join us in our mission to empower individuals in crisis while enjoying a fulfilling career that prioritises wellbeing and community engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Crisis Café Team Coordinator
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Richmond Borough Mind.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Richmond Borough Mind!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Richmond Borough Mind, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Richmond Borough Mind or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Crisis Café Team Coordinator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Richmond Borough Mind:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Richmond Borough Mind! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Richmond Borough Mind
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
