Job title: Peer Mentoring Coordinator

Salary: £10.50

Hours of Work: 15 hours per week

Responsible to: Programme Manager

Supervision: Senior Employability Officer Support Staffordshire

Purpose of Post: Under the supervision of the Support Staffordshire’s Senior Employment Officer, to develop and deliver the peer mentoring programme for Building Better Opportunities (BBO) participants, liaising and collaborating with participants and partners across the BBO programme to recruit mentors and identify suitable mentees for each as appropriate.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• To support in the recruitment, induction and placing of mentors and mentees into the peer mentoring
• To monitor mentee’s experience of mentoring.
• To monitor mentors’ experience of mentoring, including their participation and to deliver regular supervision and support to mentors.
• Maintain records of the placement of mentors and mentees, training activities, supervision notes and monitoring
• To advise on safe and realistic activities for mentors and
• To keep accurate records of participation, using appropriate in-house systems.
• To be responsible for collating and reporting on participation and obtaining feedback from mentors and mentees in respect of their individual experiences of the peer mentoring project.
• To perform health and safety assessments for mentoring activities as required, in accordance with BES policy.
• To ensure that appropriate DBS checks are completed in accordance with the BES safeguarding policy.

This role is fully funded by the European Social Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Programme.

The post Work for Us: Peer Mentor Coordinator appeared first on Building Better Opportunities.

Applications accepted via Indeed only.  Please click here to view opportunity and apply.

Compliance Officer – Job Description

Business Enterprise Support, through the Building Better Opportunities Programme, works with people experiencing complicated life circumstances. Through the provision of personal support we equip them with the confidence, motivation and work skills that they need to make positive changes in their lives with the ultimate aim of enabling them to move into employment.

The role of the Compliance Officer is to support our delivery team, comprising BES and non-BES staff, in ensuring that our participant paperwork and evidence complies with ESF/Big Lottery contractual requirements, and occasionally help to develop guidance, toolkits and templates to assist Business Enterprise Support staff and those of our delivery partners in gathering and storing the correct information. The Compliance Officer will be responsible for undertaking quality assurance to highlight missing documents or information particularly relating to our Big Lottery/European Social Fund (ESF) grant contract, and liaising with the Programme Manager and delivery staff to collate required information to deadlines. Where required at reporting stage, the Compliance Officer may also support the Programme Manager to collate appropriate information for funder reports and external compliance/audit visits.

We are also required to implement two ‘cross cutting’ thematic action plans in relation to gender equality and sustainable development. It will be the role of the Compliance Officer to undertake such evaluation and evidence gathering as necessary to report progress against the targets in each action plan of a quarterly basis.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Compliance

• Carry out regular assessment of participant files to meet contractual obligations, identifying missing or incomplete information or documents and ensuring that files that are non-compliant are made compliant within a reasonable period, usually less than one month.
• Liaise with delivery partners to help them collate missing information, highlighting deadlines and other requirements.
• Gather and organise evidence to assist in reporting to, or being audited by, funders including the Big Lottery and European Social Funds (ESF).
• Contribute to the development of guidance, processes and documentation to support Business Enterprise Support staff in meeting required standards for recording information.
• Prepare compliance reports for individual partners and for the BBO programme as a whole to be reported to the Board quarterly.
• Provide support and training (as necessary) to our team members (primarily our team of advocates working directly with participants) to ensure they have a full understanding of any monitoring procedures.
• Ensure the archiving of all files and implement such compliance procedures as may be required to ensure the BBO programme is efficiently wound up.
• Undertake internal evaluation to monitor progress against our cross cutting thematic action plans.

Performance

• Be aware of the performance targets for the BBO programme and support delivery partners in evidencing achievement in relation to the programmes performance indicators.

Systems Administration

• Ensure that hard copy evidence is consistent with information contained within our CRM system.
• Migrate information from our CRM system onto other systems as may be needed from time to time.
• Upload documents to both internal and external systems as may be needed from time to time.
• Contribute to developing protocols and create proposals for improving the use of our CRM system based on audit findings
• Ensure that all completed files are archived in accordance with our document storage requirements.

Cross Cutting Themes

• Be instrumental in supporting the development, implementation and monitoring of the BBO Cross Cutting Thematic Action Plans for gender equality and sustainable development.

Evaluation

• Undertake internal evaluation activities that seek to evidence outcomes for participants and the BBO programme as a whole, including the collection and analysis of participant feedback data, the preparation of outcome case studies and the writing of internal evaluation reports for presentation to the Partnership Board.

Other

• Be conversant in current policy and practice relating to data management including appropriate use of information e.g. GDPR Data Protection.
• Undertake any training and professional development as and when required.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties, commensurate with the job title, as may be determined by the BBO Programme Manager.
• Ensure compliance with all BES policies and procedures.

Compliance Officer – Person Specification

• Ability to interpret, collate, analyse and effectively present information from a variety of sources;
• Skilled at problem resolution;
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills including the ability to convey information accurately and clearly to both staff and partners when explaining legal or complicated issues;
• Ability to exercise a high level of accuracy and attention to detail in a challenging environment of conflicting priorities and tight deadlines with a flexible approach to complete tasks within deadlines without supervision;
• Able to demonstrate discretion and to handle confidential information sensitively;
• Ability to prioritise and balance a varied workload and deliver outcomes in a timely manner;
• Ability to prepare and analyse questionnaires and provide appropriate analytical reports;
• Effective organisational skills;
• Team worker engaged with team members and team outcomes;
• Ability to remain calm in confrontational situations;
• Negotiation and influencing skills;
• Presentation skills;
• Relationship management skills;
• Ability to motivate;
• Ability to operate across multiple agencies ensuring cooperation and collaboration; and
• Ability to provide high level customer service and working face to face with the public.

Contract length: 18 months

Application deadline: 22/11/2021

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Salary: £23,000.00 per year

Applications accepted via Indeed only.  Please click here to view opportunity and apply.

The post Work for Us: Compliance Officer appeared first on Building Better Opportunities.

Monday 10 May 2021: Today marks the launch of Mental Health Awareness Week, the UK’s national week to raise awareness of mental health.   The week, which is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, is in its 21st year and runs from 10-16 May.  This year, the theme for the week is ‘Nature’. Across the country, people will be celebrating the mental health benefits of being around nature in their local community in a range of digital and creative ways.

Connecting with Nature via Building Better Opportunities Stafford & South Staffordshire

If you didn’t already know, we have a farm Upper Moreton Rural Activities CIC where our participants spend time soaking up all the goodness nature has to offer our mental health and wellbeing.  From spending time with the resident farm animals to getting creative with planting and crafts our participants are able to access all the goodness of nature totally FREE with our programme of support.  In fact, we even provide transport and lunch to make sure that you can spend the full day with us.

To find out more about joining Building Better Opportunities and accessing our FREE support submit your details here, call 01902 696 228 or email bbostaffs@gmail.com.

Top Tips…

The Mental Health Foundation share their top tips on connecting with nature to improve your mental health…

1. Find nature wherever you are 
Nature is all around us. It might be a garden, a local park, a nearby beach or open countryside. Even in cities where nature can be harder to find, there’s things community gardens or courtyards to discover and explore. Look out for the unexpected – an urban fox on your way out for the early shift, changes in the weather or birdsong outside your window. Try to notice nature wherever you are, in whatever way is meaningful for you.

2. Connect with nature using all of your senses 
Taking some quiet time to reflect in natural surroundings using all your senses can be a real boost to your mental health. Whether you’re relaxing in the garden or on your way to work, try listening out for birdsong, look for bees and butterflies, or notice the movement of the clouds. All of these good things in nature can help you to find a sense of calm and joy.

3. Get out into nature 
If you can, try to spend time visiting natural places – green spaces like parks, gardens or forests – or blue spaces like the beach, rivers and wetlands. This can help you reduce your risk of mental health problems, lift your mood and help you feel better about things. If it feels daunting to get outside, try going with a friend or relative, or picking somewhere familiar.

4. Bring nature to you 
Sometimes it’s hard to access natural places because of where you live, how busy you are, how safe you feel or your health. Why not try bringing nature into your home? Having plants in the house is a great way to have something natural to see, touch and smell – pots of herbs from the supermarket are a good start.

If you have a garden, allotment or balcony, think about how you can make the most of it. Grow flowers, plants or vegetables, get a bird feeder and take in the sights and sounds around you.

If planting isn’t your thing, you can also connect to nature through stories, art and sound recordings. Watching films or TV programmes about nature are also great way to connect with and reflect on nature.

5. Exercise in nature 
If you’re physically able to exercise, try to do it outside – whether it’s a run, cycle or a short walk. Walking or running outdoors in nature may help to prevent or reduce feelings of anger, tiredness and sadness. Try leaving the headphones at home – unless you’re listening to nature sounds of course! Or why not try new routes that bring you closer to green spaces or water?

6. Combine nature with creativity 
Try combining creativity with your natural environment. This could involve taking part in creative activities outside, like dance, music, or art. All of these things can help reduce stress and improve your mood. You could also increase your sense of connection by taking photos, writing, drawing or painting pictures of the landscape, plants or animals. Noticing the beauty of nature and expressing this creatively can help you find meaning and an emotional connection to nature that will stay with you for a lifetime.

7. Protect nature 
Taking care of something can be a really great way to feel good. And what better thing to take care of than nature? Nature is truly amazing – do what you can to look after nature – in your actions and choices. This can be as simple as recycling, to walking instead of driving, or even joining community conservation or clean-up groups. Taking care of nature can help you feel that you’re doing your part, and that can make you feel more positive all round.

Building Better Opportunities Stafford & South Staffordshire is jointly funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund.  To find out more about accessing our FREE support simply submit your details using the green form below.

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David’s Story

David had a long and successful career in the macho engineering industry, he achieved degree-level qualifications and was a certified member of the Chartered Institute of log and transport (CIT).

A proud man, with family values at his core, David has always happily provided for his family.  “I was a field engineer until 2016 when I was forced to leave the role and walk away from a 40 year career, all because of workplace bullying.”

Bullying had taken its toll on a hardworking family man in his 50’s.  “I’m a Black Country bloke and I was built to work.  I thought I just needed to suck it up and get on with it.  Only I couldn’t, they had broken me.  I was a blubbering, crying heap on the kitchen floor.”

“I have always provided for my wife and family.  My wife didn’t have to work, that was my job and we’ve had a good and comfortable life.

Suffering with mental health problems and unable to work David started to draw his pension early to take care of the family.  However as money got tighter and his wife took-up part-time work to make ends meet.

“I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety due to the workplace bullying and had two courses of CBT from the NHS, but I really struggled with the CBT.”  Finding little resolve from treatment, David’s mental health continued to decline.  “I found myself physically using my wife as a shield.  I would hide behind her, so I didn’t have to speak to people and would shy away from all interactions with people.  I constantly felt that I had let my family down and I was totally overwhelmed, even by small decisions like did I want a cup of tea!”

Concerned about his pension and with his confidence and mental health in tatters, David was referred to Building Better Opportunities Stafford & South Staffordshire by the Job Centre.

Support From Building Better Opportunities

Each and every person that joins Building Better Opportunities Stafford and South Staffordshire is paired with their own Advocate.  An Advocate is there for you and will help you to set up a personal action plan. The targets in your action plan will be decided by you, and your advocate will offer support to help you achieve them.

David attended Codsall Work Club on a weekly basis where he would meet with his Advocate Angi and work towards the goals in his personal action plan. “As I started to work with Angi and Brian more things started to change in my life.  It was a real revelation that the people doing this actually cared.  Angi is attentive to needs that I didn’t even know I had!  The activities we selected have come at the exact right time for me.  She knew where I was at, got inside my head and paid attention, allowing me go at my own pace, when I was ready and never pressuring me.”

A total pessimist initially, David wasn’t convinced that the programme would help him and assumed it was just another scheme to force people back into work. As part of David’s personal action plan a referral was made to Upper Moreton Rural Activities, which is a farm that runs a ten week programme of activities to help improve wellbeing, confidence, team-working and communication skills.  David recalls: “The first time I visited the Farm, I thought this isn’t for me.  I looked around and thought I aren’t like these people, the amount of times I could have walked away that day.”

The moment things really clicked for David was during a visit to Upper Moreton Farm which Carol Carney runs. “I was taken back as Carol genuinely seemed bothered.  It stood out to me as it was so different to other support out there. That day, watching Carol, it dawned on me, these people didn’t have to do this, they wanted to and they wanted to help.”

“I was cynical at first but 3-4 weeks in, I was willow weaving and I loved it!  Some people might think what on earth, a grown man willow weaving, in fact I may have thought that once upon a time but I don’t care anymore. It’s so peaceful and relaxed at the Farm, I really enjoy it and it calms my mind.  Carol is so caring and listening to her talk so passionately about helping others is inspiring”

Another of the activities David has taken part in, is the Challenge Academy.  A purpose built aerial-ropes adventure course in the West Midlands.  Participants are recommended for Challenge Academy to develop their trust, confidence and team building skills.  “When taking part in Challenge Academy, I rediscovered my assertiveness.  It was like I was stood behind myself, watching this new person.  I realised then, you only get out what you put in.”

Breaking Down Barriers

David has also attended an Introductory to Carpentry Course at the Forest of Mercia.  He has put these skills to good use and now volunteers at both The Forest of Mercia and Upper Moreton Rural Activities, helping other participants in the woodwork workshop.  David says “I want to give something back and help other people in the same way as the programme has helped me”. Alongside this David has made some bird boxes which he has sold and he now makes wooden items to sell on his own stall at community festivals.

Reflecting on his journey, David says: “Looking back I had been so naïve, I’d trusted my employer and they failed me.   I gave the best years of my life to my career, I’d never had a work life balance, I’d missed the kids growing up with always being at work and now I was left a blubbering mess on the kitchen floor!  The programme has made a massive difference though and I now know I’m the complete opposite of the person who put me here.

“I still struggle with certain situations like too much noise and crowded places, which trigger my anxiety but I can manage it much better now.  Looking to the future I’d like to work part-time doing something that puts a bit of money in the back pocket but also feeds the soul.  I like putting a smile on people’s faces.”

“Building Better Opportunities has given me the opportunity to open myself up in a safe environment.  It’s allowed me to try new things without being ridiculed, mocked or shouted at.  Each and every morning I felt like I used to put my armour on and not let anyone close to me.  I still have my down days but they are getting less and less.”

How Can We Help You?

Building Better Opportunities Stafford and South Staffordshire works with residents across Stafford and South Staffordshire who are experiencing multiple barriers to employment.  It’s a bespoke programme, meaning each and every person that joins has an individual action plan that aligns with their personal needs.  The programme is completely free for all participants, meaning you’re able to focus 100% on improving your personal, financial and employability skills.  This programme is jointly funded by the European Social Fund and National Lottery Community Fund.

To find out more about Building Better Opportunities Stafford and South Staffordshire call us on 01902 696 228, email BBOStaffs@gmail.com or complete the form in the green box below.

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