Dementia Project Officer

We are looking for someone who cares deeply about helping communities to support each other. We need someone who has skills and experience in recruiting and training volunteers, and who either already knows a lot about dementia or is willing to learn. This exciting new project will help community volunteers in Redcar and Cleveland to learn how to set up and deliver groups that teach people how to best support a loved one living with dementia using our established StaRt programme. The StaRt programme helps families and carers of people with dementia to understand and support them in the best ways possible. It gives them knowledge and understanding around things like behavioural changes, planning for the future, and self-care for carers. Teesside Mind recognises the value that volunteers provide to our organisation and the communities that we support. As our organisation continues to grow, we want our volunteering programme to grow too, so that we can increase our reach within our community and increase the impact that Teesside Minds activities have on the wellbeing of people across the region. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 2nd of April 2025 Main duties of the job As community development officer for the StaRt service, you will be responsible for Recruiting volunteers to help with delivery of StaRt groups (with support from our existing volunteer recruitment team) Training volunteers to deliver StaRt (following a pre-established training programme) Training volunteers to deliver StaRt (following a pre-established training programme) Supporting volunteers throughout their time with Teesside Mind (supported by our existing volunteer programme) Promoting the StaRt programme to local communities (with support from the existing Dementia Advisory Outreach service staff), Undertaking your own initial training in the StaRt programme and developing a good level of knowledge and understanding about the programme and its benefits as well as a good understanding of dementia and living well with dementia. Familiarising yourself with the Teesside Mind volunteering process and associated materials Promoting volunteering and volunteer opportunities internally and externally, Recruiting and training community volunteers in StaRt delivery including assisting with the established Teesside Mind volunteer induction process for these volunteers Supporting trained Volunteers with regular contact, including recording their volunteering hours, meeting to discuss progress, concerns, and wellbeing. Hosting regular volunteer team meetings Engaging with the local community to help them get to know Teesside Mind and specifically our carers and Dementia services Developing a good understanding of and positive relationships with local dementia networks and organisations Supporting the Operations manager with reporting by providing regular information and updates, and by undertaking accurate record keeping on case management systems Maintaining a positive working relationship with colleagues at Teesside Mind and with NHS colleagues at Reed Marsh House memory clinic

• Educated to GCSE A-C (4 or above) or equivalent
Desirable
• Volunteer management qualification
Experience Essential
• Working with and supporting volunteers
• Community engagement experience
• Experience of supporting and training individuals / groups
• Project / service improvement and development (desirable)
• Close partnership working with other organisations / services (desirable)
• Working in a health and social care/mental health/dementia role/environment (desirable)
Person Specification Qualifications Essential
• Educated to GCSE A-C (4 or above) or equivalent
Desirable
• Volunteer management qualification
Experience Essential
• Working with and supporting volunteers
• Community engagement experience
• Experience of supporting and training individuals / groups
• Project / service improvement and development (desirable)
• Close partnership working with other organisations / services (desirable)
• Working in a health and social care/mental health/dementia role/environment (desirable)
  
  Teesside Mind has been working in local communities to improve mental health and wellbeing for over 25 years. The environment in which we operate has changed hugely over this time, and the importance of good mental health has never been as widely understood.
One of our proudest achievements in the last 3 years has been collaborating with Primary Care colleagues on the development of Social Prescribing on Teesside. In addition our recent merger with Redcar and Cleveland Mind has enabled us to offer more services to more people across Teesside. Our communities are facing real challenges because of the legacy of Covid on peoples health and wellbeing, and pressure on resources. Some people are still less well served than others. Young people and people affected by poverty find it most difficult to get help. Our work wont stop until this has changed. There is much more we need to do. Can you help us? Ours is a vibrant organisation to work for and our staff are our most important asset. We are compassionate, trust worthy and determined. We use evidence-based interventions, backed up by policies, training and clinical support to help people lead full and happy lives.