This is an exciting new role working within our Health and Social Care Team.

The successful candidate will assist in the delivery of our Supported Volunteer and Mental Health Programme by coordinating and running groups in both animal care and gardening across our two sites – Windmill Hill City Farm in Bedminster and Hartcliffe City Farm (1 day at each location).

We are looking for someone with skills and experience supporting people with complex needs and a commitment to helping them reach their full potential. This role requires excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work practically in an outdoors environment. Experience of facilitating group work is essential.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Lead the facilitation and coordination of the supported volunteer sessions on a weekly basis.
• Create a positive, enthusiastic atmosphere in which group members are encouraged to communicate with each other, staff, and volunteers.
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of group members including following the farm’s safeguarding policies.
• Understand the complex lives of individuals with support needs (including mental health issues, learning disabilities and substance misuse), and consequently the situations and issues that might arise within the group and how to resolve them.
• Work with and support individuals to achieve their personal goals, whilst maintaining focus on the group as a whole.
• Set up and pack away resources for each session.
• Monitor group resources needed (including refreshments and food) and buy any resources needed.
• Encourage volunteer engagement with group activities.
• Manage problems that may occur during the group with individuals or group dynamics and record incidents.
• Contribute to risk management processes and procedures.
• Give information and guidance to volunteers and signpost to relevant support.
• Follow-up concerns about volunteers or communicate issues for immediate action to the Health and Social Care Manager.
• Work in partnership with the Volunteer Coordinator and Health and Social Care Manager to support the practice and development of volunteers including post-group de-briefs.
• Carry out administration duties including inputting data such as attendance and other monitoring data.
• Ensure that internal policies and procedures are followed, with regards to confidentiality and vulnerable adults, volunteer procedures, attendance records and HR processes.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation processes.