Our Organisation
Together Dementia Support (TDS) is a grassroots charity based in Manchester, working from the Kath Locke Centre in Moss Side, that supports people living with dementia and their families and carers. Its core service delivery centres on weekly Friendship & Activity groups, run with the help of a large volunteer team, offering members meaningful social contact, stimulation and person-centred care in a friendly, community setting, alongside practical support like transport to and from sessions. TDS also works to deepen understanding of dementia within the wider community and to build strong relationships with local carers and families, aiming to reduce isolation and improve quality of life for people affected by dementia. As a small, values-driven charity, it relies heavily on a dedicated staff team and a growing volunteer base to deliver its services, and is currently investing in strengthening both its volunteering infrastructure and its strategic direction as it grows.
Role Overview
A brand new hybrid role split evenly between recruiting and supporting our volunteers, and running one of our weekly Friendship & Activity groups for people living with dementia. You'll work with our Volunteering Lead to recruit, induct and support our volunteer team, while also leading a weekly group session and building strong, person-centred relationships with the members who attend. This role suits someone wanting to utilise experience and skills with charity co-ordination and hands-on service delivery, and wants a local, people-focused job with real impact.
Volunteer Co-ordinator responsibilities and duties
- Establish relationships with local businesses, organisations, colleges and universities, advertise vacancies, attend fairs / recruitment events and engage potential volunteers
- Use innovative and creative methods to access hard to reach communities and ensure effective ongoing recruitment
- Organise induction days where groups of volunteers can be inducted and trained at the same time
- Effectively communicate with volunteers to ensure they are aware of the expectations the organisation has of them, and what they should expect from the organisation. Also checking in with them, aiming for good attendance at groups.
- Ensure that all volunteers receive health & safety, moving & handling, and safeguarding training as soon as possible after beginning their volunteering journey
- Provide advice, guidance and efficient administration of DBS paperwork, ensuring all volunteers have a suitable DBS certificate returned and recorded
- Visit groups regularly to observe volunteers and the running of the group overall, feeding back any concerns, dealing with poor practice, or celebrating good practice.
- Help to organise social events for volunteers during the year, where volunteers can meet each other, share experiences, socialise and have some fun
- Co-produce the regular Volunteers Bulletin, and promotion of the bulletin and the benefits of receiving it to our current volunteers
- Establish rapport, build relationships, and actively listen to volunteers, their experiences, and areas for service improvement
- Develop and formalise the Lead Volunteer roles, providing structure and further development opportunities to postholders and establishing the route for promotion to Lead Volunteer
- Align our current service provision with the Investing in Volunteers quality standard criteria
- Supporting volunteers in communicating with Dementia Support Co-ordinators and vice versa
- Maintain volunteer records and ensure they are updated efficiently and as correctly as possible using our internal Management Information System
Dementia Support Co-ordinator responsibilities and duties
- Run a weekly Friendship & Activity, planning and preparing for the session, gathering all the necessary equipment, setting out the room and briefing the volunteers;
- Keep in regular communication with both the families of the members to ensure maximum attendance and similarly with volunteers, ensuring that you have sufficient to run the group safely;
- Write the transport list and liaise with the minibus drivers about the route and needs of members;
- Complete an Individual Care Plan for new members and ensure that all volunteers know the interests and needs of each member
- (Some liaison with family carers will be required but most carer support issues should be flagged up with another DSC)
- Work with other staff members to plan themes for group sessions and to source the materials
- Occasionally plan and run a local trip out for your group
Person Specification
The person specification calls for someone educated to A Level or equivalent relevant experience, with essential experience of working with or caring for people living with dementia and essential experience supervising others or leading a team; voluntary sector experience, awareness of the Investing in Volunteers standard, training-schedule development, risk assessment, and diversity/health and safety knowledge are all desirable rather than essential. On skills, the postholder must be an excellent communicator with strong organisational ability to manage their own workload, confident using Microsoft Office and self-supporting administratively, able to generate innovative, appropriate activities for older people of varying abilities, and able to motivate, encourage and support volunteers, while the ability to design and deliver training (in person and via Zoom), use social media for recruitment, and evaluate and report on outcomes are desirable extras. In terms of capability and personal qualities, the role demands someone genuinely passionate about delivering person-centred care, able to work independently as well as part of a team, flexible enough to respond to changing organisational needs, and committed to the empowerment and support of people with dementia and their carers, with ongoing commitment to their own professional development seen as a plus rather than a requirement.
Join us and Apply
To apply for this job, you must email [email protected] with:
- your CV
- A cover letter demonstrating how you match our requirements to Mike Govier
Closing Date for applications: midday Monday 7 September.
Pay: From £17,017.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Manchester M15 5DD
