Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafés Support Worker

Position Title: Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafe Support Worker

Location: Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire

Hours of duty: 10 hours per week, including some evening and weekend work

Thursday’s 17:30 – 21:30 & Sunday’s 11:30 – 15:30, plus a further 2 hours per week hybrid working.

Salary: £12.60 per hour

Contract: Fixed Term until 30.06.25

Role Purpose:

To deliver Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafes in partnership with Mind, organising relevant workshops and activities, and ensuring effective support is provided to people with mental health needs.

Main responsibilities:

• Deliver Loughborough Universities Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafes (NMHC), ensuring each one provides a safe, friendly, and accessible environment.
• Work with other staff to promote the NMHCs.
• Organise and (where appropriate) deliver suitable workshops/activities for the café.
• Support volunteers in engaging with the delivery of the NMHCs.
• Collect monitoring information from beneficiaries.
• Actively listen to individuals struggling with their mental health to understand their situation and guide them to support them that matches their needs.
• Keep abreast of local services relating to mental health and well-being.

• Work with individuals to develop appropriate coping strategies and action/safety plans.
• Refer beneficiaries to higher levels of intervention when required and/or signpost them to other services that might help them maintain well-being.
• Establish positive beneficiary engagement and input to ensure they have a voice, choice, and control over the support they receive.
• Manage all administration processes accurately and efficiently.

Administration

• To complete and provide any documentation, reports, statistics, and any other information required by Falcon Support Services and/or any other agency.
• To effectively use IT systems to maintain precise and accurate documentation in line with Falcon Support Services procedures, including client files and entries into the program databases/risk logs.
• To be responsible for the development, and implementation of procedures and codes of working practice to form part of a comprehensive quality approach to service delivery.

Compliance / Health and Safety

• To adhere to all of Falcon Support Services policies and procedures as well as any specific local procedures.
• Report concerns appropriately, such as adult and child safeguarding issues and substantial risk.
• Every employee has a responsibility to ensure that their work complies with the Financial Regulations of the charity.
• Due to the nature of work, this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and will therefore require you to disclose all criminal convictions and comply with a Criminal Records Bureau check.
• To develop Falcon Support Services commitment to equal opportunities and to promote non-discriminatory practices in all aspects of work undertaken.
• All employees are required by Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

People

• To work cooperatively with other members of the team, constructively contributing to team meetings, covering office duty, and assisting with the smooth running of the service.
• Show willingness to assist and cover for colleagues when they are absent.
• Mentor and support students and/or volunteers in the service.
• To effectively work with a range of multi-disciplinary partners, support providers and funders in both the statutory and voluntary sectors.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list but to indicate the main responsibilities of the post, such additional duties may be undertaken which are reasonably commensurate with the level of post. It will be reviewed periodically to consider changes and developments in service requirements. Any changes will be discussed fully with the jobholder.

Experience And Knowledge

• Understanding of different mental health problems, including their symptoms and potential causes.
• At least one year’s experience in supporting adults with poor mental health.
• Up-to-date knowledge of mental health support services across LLR.
• Understanding of the demographic profile of the cafe location.
• Direct or indirect experience of mental health problems.

Skills And Abilities

• IT literate, including Office 365
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build strong working relationships with both internal and external partners.
• Able to prioritise, and manage a varied workload and time effectively.
• Able to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to develop and motivate individuals and groups.
• Able to manage professional boundaries, deal with sensitive information, and maintain confidentiality.
• Able to effectively engage with people from diverse backgrounds.

Attitudes

• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Ability to work in a recovery-orientated, strength-based, non-judgemental manner.
• Committed to promoting a culture that values equity and diversity.

General Requirements:

• Full, clean driving licence with access to a vehicle (Desirable)
• Able to travel to Loughborough University.

Able to work some evenings and weekends.