Involve Community Services

Overview Involve Community Services is a local infrastructure charity that supports the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sectors of Bracknell Forest and Wokingham Borough. We offer development and governance support, funding advice, grant writing, volunteer and trustee recruitment, and a comprehensive training programme. We also run several well-being projects that include Community Navigation, Cancer Support and Social Prescribing within Wokingham Borough. Role summary The Community Development Worker will work across Wokingham Borough to assist small charities, community groups and social enterprises who have a health and well-being focus, as well as those organisations who aid residents with protected characteristics. They will assist organisations to find solutions to existing challenges and overcome barriers to optimise their delivery, e.g., through sourcing volunteers, committee members, funding opportunities, forming simple governance structures, and seeking premises. The post holder will advocate for members of the community with protected characteristics as well as those whose voices are seldom heard, and act as a voice for marginalised groups, to aid inclusive decision making and delivery of services across the borough. The postholder will develop a broad, informed view of the local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector and will communicate this to colleagues within Involve, the wider Friendship Alliance (a collective of charities who have a shared interest in addressing loneliness and social isolation), and to statutory partners. The postholder will also identify gaps in provision and help to develop or enhance existing partnerships so to optimise their impact to residents. Key Responsibilities Regularly attend community events throughout Wokingham Borough Create quarterly reports to articulate the work of the postholder. Act as the face of Involve and the first point of contact for organisations and community groups in Wokingham Borough Signpost organisations to Involve s Core Services Signpost residents to Involve s Wellbeing Services Support Community Navigation attending outreach events Report key barriers and gaps in services to the CEO and Admin & Partnerships Manager on a regular basis Keep the Wellbeing Services up to date with new or changing community groups & services Support the Hub Coordinator and fellow site users when onsite Key responsibilities for the community and VCS organisation Network and maintain relationships with residents, communities, charitable organisations and other stakeholders Host Involve s Charity & Community Networking Events for Wokingham Borough Match organisations and community groups with share objectives so to bring greater capacity and insight to a community undertaking Attend forums & meetings relevant to communities, addressing issues such as equality & diversity, social isolation or community safety Support organisations and community groups with basic governance enquiries Ensure organisations receive up to date and accessible information & signposting to assist them with their operations, e.g. governance, funding, volunteer recruitment Essential experience, skills and attributes Knowledge of the local area and services Experience in engaging and advocating for vulnerable people and those with protected characteristics, and those seldom heard Good interpersonal skills - friendly, curious, respectful, empathetic and courteous Reliable with a mature disposition and a caring nature Capable of maintaining appropriate written records Awareness of confidentiality and data protection Ability to work proactively on your own initiative as well as part of a team Awareness of health and safety and lone working issues for self and others A commitment to equal opportunities Effective problem solving and negotiation skills Good written and verbal literacy with ability to engage confidently, employing actively listen skills Sound IT skills, particularly office 365 applications Personal commitment to improving own knowledge and skills Requirement to undertake training, including safeguarding and any other appropriate learning Requirement to work to all Involve policies Access to a car (with business insurance) is essential as travel will be required across Wokingham Borough NB: Some flexibility will be required when delivering your role and occasional evening or weekend work may be needed.