Job Title: Gift of Befriending Lead
Responsible to: Services Lead
Responsible for: Delivery of the Gift of Befriending Programme. Volunteer co-ordinators and Volunteers within Age UK Stockport and associated companies. Location: Based in the community to be visible at various locations throughout the Borough of Stockport and Age UK Stockport offices.
Contract: 18 month contract subject to a three-month probationary period from the commencement date of employment
Salary: £29,840 Pro-Rata for 20 hours per week
Hours: Part time 20 hours per week. Monday to Friday.

MAIN PURPOSE OF POST:

To provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Gift of Befriending programme, ensuring its development, quality, and alignment with organisational goals. The Lead will support the Co-ordinators and volunteers, ensure the programme is visible across the borough and that contract targets are met. Support the recruitment, training and roll out of volunteers within the programme. Will contribute to service evaluation and improvement, reporting requirements and oversee quality and safety of programme delivery
The Gift of Friendship Programme is a 6-month intervention aimed delivered by face to face creating a relationship with the aim of combating isolation and loneliness via companionship. The Programme uses goal setting to establish the older person’s aims and frame the intervention. It focuses on building confidence and motivation to or manage a current situation.
Work Environment: This is a community-based role with minimal opportunities for home working due to the hands-on nature of the service and the need for direct engagement with stakeholders.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following details reflect the content of the post at the date prepared.
The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible approach to the duties which may have to be varied dependent on any variations to the Gift of Friendship contract, after discussion with the post holder, subject to the needs of the organisation and in keeping with the general profile of the post. Consequently, this job description may be revised from time to time.
The post holder will be a driver with access to a vehicle as regular travel across the borough will be expected.
- To work with the Senior Leadership Team to support the launch and promotion of the Gift of Friendship programme across the borough of Stockport.
- To manage, supervise and support the training of Volunteer Coordinators and ensure they are working to contractual agreements.
- Ensure best practice is embedded within delivery of the programme and that Volunteer Coordinators and Volunteers are trained to deliver the programme safely.
- To ensure targets detailed in the Programme are met through planned delivery and effective triage and allocation of referrals into the Programme.
- Lead on service development, including new initiatives and partnerships.
- Oversee complex or high-risk cases and ensure appropriate support of signposting is in place.
- Monitor service performance and preparation of monitoring reports and evaluation in-line with contract delivery.
- To be visible and engage with external organisations and external meetings to promote the volunteering opportunities within the Gift of Friendship Programme.
- Support volunteer engagement and retention through structured feedback and development opportunities.
- To work closely with Age UK Stockport general and HR management to ensure Age UK Stockport policies, recognised good practice and legal requirements are followed in relation to all aspects of volunteering.