Community Agent – Horsham

Community Agent – Horsham

Hours: 37 hours a week – Maternity Cover Fixed Term Contract until June 2025

Salary:  £24,500

Location: Lavinia House, Horsham – working across Horsham District (Hybrid)

Closing Date: Monday 8 July 2024*

*We may interview suitable applicants before the closing date and vacancies could close earlier, so please do apply as soon as possible.  Please note that we are unable to accept sponsorship applications and you will need the Right to Work in the UK.

About The Role

Are you passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of older people? Are you skilled in connecting individuals with the support and services they need? We have an exciting opportunity for a dedicated and compassionate individual to join our team as a Community Agent focused on reducing social isolation among older people. As a Community Agent, your primary responsibility will be to provide assistance, support, and guidance to older individuals, helping them overcome social isolation. You will serve as a central point of contact, understanding each individual's unique needs and working collaboratively with local groups, professionals, and services to provide comprehensive support and referral pathways.

Hybrid working is offered with a mixture of office, out in the community and homeworking.

What you will need to be successful in the role

• Be the main referral point within AUKWSBH for an older person who would like support in reducing their social isolation.
• Accept referrals from any external sources. This might be an older person’s family, bereavement support services, community nurses, social landlords and any other charities working with older people looking for solutions to their social isolation.
• Work directly with older person to get to know them and understand their needs and wants, as well as helping reduce barriers that are making them feel socially isolated.
• Have an excellent understanding of the local community and the offer for older people.
• Work in the local community where required – to meet older people and services, to scope out existing provision and potential community assets that could be made use of.
• Respond to the needs and wants of older people in the community such as sharing information about local social events, groups or activities and creating opportunities if gaps and interest exists.
• Identify and proactively target socially isolated older people and work directly with them by providing regular communications, visits, practical help and signposting or referral to reliable and professional advice and support services.
• Willingness to adapt and learn, staying informed about innovative solutions for reducing social isolation.

  Don’t worry if you think you’re missing some listed skills, if you’re passionate and share our values, please do still get in touch with us. 

  If you need help with completing an application or want to chat, please email recruitment@ageukwestsussex.org.uk so we can arrange this.

  Benefits

  At AUKWSBH we value our people and as such our staff benefits include:

  • Flexible Working Option Ongoing professional training and development 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time staff) Eligible for Blue Light discount scheme 4% auto enrolment pension with Life Assurance

  About AUKWSBH

  We are known for our excellent work with older people in the UK. We are an ageing population, and many older people have no one else but us. We are passionate about inspiring and enabling people over 50 to Love Later Life.

  We provide various services and activities within the community, helping people, their families and carers by providing opportunities for people to stay independent, have fun, socialise and build friendships. We also deliver some services for people over 18. We offer rewarding roles, flexibility and the chance to be part of an amazing team.

  Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

  We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Age UK West Sussex, Brighton and Hove.

  We are committed to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve and ensuring inclusion in everything we do. During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and be at your best. so please contact us should you require any adjustments to allow you to apply/undertake your role.

  To apply please visit our website and download an application form https://www.ageuk.org.uk/westsussexbrightonhove/get-involved/work-for-us/  or email your CV to recruitment@ageukwestsussex.org.uk

  Should you be successful, you will be subject to a variety of checks, including DBS and references.