Job title: Host & Listening Lead

Renumeration: £20,330 pro rata (£13,824.40) with review following successful completion of probationary period)

Hours: 25.5 hours per week (plus 30-minute unpaid lunch break)

Work Pattern:

Monday: 10am – 3pm (5 Hours)

Tuesday: 10am – 4pm (6 Hours)

Wednesday: 9am – 4:30pm (7.0 hours) (plus 30-minute unpaid lunch break)

Thursday: 9am – 5pm (7.5 hours) (plus 30 minute unpaid lunch break)

Due to the need to ensure the wellbeing hub is accessible to session leads and to our partner organisations, the hours and location of the role are not flexible.

Contract: Initial fixed-term, 9 month, contract with the possibility of extension

About MindSpace:

MindSpace Stamford is a community wellbeing hub where everyone is welcome to come and take part in activities and training that promote positive wellbeing aligned with the NHS endorsed 5 ways to wellbeing. MindSpace have a premises at 39 Broad Street in Stamford, as well as a Community Wellbeing Garden and an increasing number of groups and activities being delivered in Bourne.

Job Purpose:

The Host and Listening Lead will play a crucial role in ensuring the oversight and smooth running of MindSpace day to day, including overseeing our premises at 39 Broad Street and the activities that are hosted there. An important aspect of the role is to build supportive, professional relationships with our attendees and volunteers. The post-holder will be the designated point of contact for enquiries, primary key holder for our premises and will support session leads and volunteers by providing listening support in sessions. They will be the friendly and welcoming face that everyone sees when they walk in the door.

This role will include providing some support to our new and existing volunteers, including meeting and greeting those who are interested in becoming a volunteer and arranging taster sessions. They will also organise our volunteer rotas.

Supporting people at MindSpace:

People attend MindSpace to maintain their positive wellbeing but also turn to our team when they are facing challenging times. Confidence and the ability to listen and support people sensitively is an essential requirement for this role.

MindSpace is not a crisis, nor a counselling service and we are not experts in all areas where our attendees might need support. It is important that our Host and Listening Lead is confident in acknowledging the limits in the support that they can provide and know when to signpost to other services, this could include referrals to the GP, local crisis services or citizens advice (who are based alongside MindSpace). They must be able to set effective boundaries with potentially vulnerable adults remembering that they are a ‘friendly professional’. Developing an understanding of local services where people can be signposted to and full training, including accredited mental health first aid training, will be provided as part of a comprehensive induction.

Working closely with the Trustees, and local statutory, voluntary and commercial sector organisations, the Host and Listening Lead will work to ensure our premises is an accessible, well-managed facility that operates for the benefit of the local community, MindSpace Stamford beneficiaries and partner organisations.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

 1. Our Premises:

• To oversee the operations of the premises in accordance with existing policies, the parameters of the lease and under the direction set by the Trustees.
• Be the main point of contact for general enquiries (via phone and email) and to signpost queries as needed ensuring a high level of customer service is provided.
• Organise, supervise and support as needed when the premises is in use by third parties.
• Ensure that the building is suitably maintained through oversight of our cleaning and maintenance programmes and external service contracts. Some cleaning may be required in quiet periods.
• To be responsible for health and safety in the building including, such as fire alarm tests, in conjunction with the Trustees, the review and updating of policies and procedures.
• To liaise with Trustees and users to ensure the smooth running of the Hub and its activities.

2. Listening and Session Support:

• To oversee tea and chat sessions, ensuring that listening volunteers are supported when 1:1 with participants and that activity volunteers are empowered to use their skills to deliver the session.
• To actively participate in sessions at the wellbeing hub- supporting the lead and being the listener supporting participants in the activity.

3. Supporting our Beneficiaries and Volunteers:

• Provide support by answering queries, listening, signposting and offering well-being support as needed within the remit of training provided.
• To support volunteers on a day-to-day basis, ensuring all sessions are well supported and finding appropriate cover where needed.
• Facilitate post activity debrief with volunteers ensuring relevant information is accurately captured and recorded, raising concerns to People and Operations Lead and Trustees as needed.
• Encourage people to provide feedback on their experiences at MindSpace and suggestions for future activities and inputs.
• Respond to enquiries about volunteering opportunities with MindSpace and invite those interested to a taster session.

4. Communications:

• To ensure that the data and privacy of MindSpace partners, staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries is protected at all times by adhering to data protection and privacy procedures.
• To be proactive in capturing feedback, suggestions, photos of activities (with consent of participants) and good news stories on the work of MindSpace Stamford for use on our social media platforms, in newsletters, for press releases and for adding to our website.

Skills and Abilities (Essential):

• Warm, welcoming and approachable manner.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries whilst providing support to volunteers and attendees.
• Ability to communicate in an empathetic and sensitive manner.
• A professional attitude and approach to the day to day running of the premises.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Computer literate with a good working knowledge of Office 365 applications (Word, Outlook and Excel).
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent customer service skills
• Confident, self-motivated, innovative, and able to work under pressure.
• Able to work collaboratively.
• Able to adapt and learn new skills where required.
• An interest in community building and promoting positive well-being.

Personal Qualities:

 The Host and Listening Lead will have a strong commitment to our values and ethos and helping members of the community get involved with MindSpace Stamford. They will also need to be approachable, empathetic, self-reliant, energetic, and able to work on their own initiative and to prioritise activities.

 The continued success of MindSpace Stamford will depend heavily on the organisational skills of the post-holder and their ability to communicate effectively with all members of the community and work alongside partners and Trustees.

Education and Training:

• Preferably educated to A-level/level 3 or equivalent work experience
• Level 2 or equivalent IT Skills Qualification desirable or demonstrable ability

 Other:

• A strong commitment to community-based services.
• Able to work occasional evenings and weekends to support events.
• Consent to an enhanced DBS disclosure.
• Relevant training opportunities will be offered, and the expectation will be that the post-holder attend both internal and external training as required.

If you have queries about the role or would like to express your interest, please email beka@mindspacestamford.com. Click below for the application form.