Aftercare Projects & Partnerships Lead

Job description

Summary

To manage the development of LE’s Aftercare programme to ensure its successful delivery against a range of desired outcomes for individuals, communities and our organisation. Our Aftercare programme is for adults, children and young people who have received Counselling from Listening Ear to help them cope with bereavement, separation & loss, domestic abuse and/or stress & anxiety. Our Aftercare beneficiaries benefit from ongoing support in a group context with support from experienced Counsellors. We run a number of Aftercare groups, all at different stages of development, and have recently been awarded funding from the National Lottery Community Fund for a period of just over four years. This will enable us to develop, evaluate and embed a more consistent Aftercare approach that is informed by our beneficiaries.

We are looking for an experienced Projects & Partnerships Manager, with a passion for providing effective services for people of all ages who face challenges with their mental health. You will work with our amazing team of Counsellors (who deliver the Aftercare groups) and with Aftercare beneficiaries and potential beneficiaries to plan, manage and evaluate an ongoing Aftercare programme, including positive activities. You will be responsible for managing a project budget of up to £30,000 per annum.

Job Purpose

• To gain a full understanding of the needs and interests of Aftercare beneficiaries (and potential beneficiaries) through regular consultation using a variety of methods.
• To work with our Aftercare delivery team to design a programme of positive activities that will help beneficiaries connect, take notice, keep learning, stay active and give (The Five Ways to Wellbeing). The programme will be informed by regular consultation with beneficiaries and will be delivered online and face to face dependent on the group.
• To research and identify appropriate external activity providers, supporting them to deliver high quality experiences that achieve outcomes against the Five Ways to Wellbeing and are safe, inclusive and appropriately resourced within budget.
• To ensure that all external providers, activities, venues and equipment are risk assessed and that appropriate mitigations are in place to manage and minimise risk.

• To ensure that all required materials and resources are purchased and posted to participants in advance of online activity sessions.
• To ensure that all Aftercare opportunities are communicated to potential beneficiaries in a timely and effective manner, maximising engagement and attendance through supportive reminders.
• To directly support the delivery of face-to-face Emotional Youth Club sessions, which take place on one Saturday of every month, usually in the Knowsley or St Helens areas, always involving a positive activity. You will do this alongside a team of two trained Counsellors and the selected Activity Provider.
• To work with colleagues in Operations to ensure the right systems are in place to monitor and evaluate our desired outputs and outcomes, using a CRM system (Lamplight) for which training will be provided.
• To ensure that Aftercare delivery staff understand and are fully recording the required monitoring and evaluation information.
• To convene a regular (monthly and later quarterly) Aftercare Project Team involving staff of LE, circulating agendas, distributing notes and actions and supporting their input as required.
• To communicate about the project internally, ensuring a high level of awareness of its benefits and working with Counsellor colleagues to ensure referrals to Aftercare groups increase and are consistent.

• Contribute to the vision, strategic planning and relevant policy development, for LE and actively participate as a member of the management team, supporting and working closely with the SMT.
• To work collaboratively with other Project and Partnership Leads within Listening Ear.
• To contribute significantly to biannual project reports for the National Lottery Community Fund, and quarterly Commissioner reports working with the Development Manager.
• To attend meetings with funders/Commissioners as required to give progress updates.
• To complete all administrative tasks relevant to the post.
• To manage the project budget, with support from the Finance and Development Teams.

Why Listening Ear?

• Face-to-face training, induction and warm welcome provided at our headquarters in the North West to meet colleagues and welcome you to Listening Ear
• Values-driven organisation supporting vulnerable people across England
• Work within a BACP-Accredited Organisation that delivers support recognised by the Support After Suicide Partnership and Public Health England as best practice
• Annual Training and CPD Allowance to support growth and career development
• We support flexible home working practices and you will be supplied with an iPhone and laptop, plus a DSE Assessment during induction to support safe and comfortable home working
• Access to free and confidential counselling provided through LE’s Insurance Provider, to support staff welfare
• Pension contribution at 3%
• Daily informal communications with colleagues via remote platforms

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for someone with creative vision and great attention to detail to help us make this project a success. You will thrive on helping people find meaningful activities that will inspire and empower them to improve their own mental health and wellbeing. You will have the energy and enthusiasm to drive this exciting project in the context of a busy organisation with multiple priorities.

Ready to apply?

Please complete the application form (found on our website) and return with an up to date CV.

Deadline for applications: 9am on Monday 2nd December 2024.

Interviews will be conducted virtually on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th December