Wellbeing Officer

Swansea Community Farm is looking for a Wellbeing Officer to run our Farming for Wellbeing project.
Farming for Wellbeing is a community-led wellbeing-focussed outdoor volunteering programme which offers participants wellbeing and learning opportunities, along with socialising and building a community. Volunteers attend two days a week and work in all areas of the Farm, gaining experience and qualifications, and progressing to peer mentor positions. Volunteers self-refer, and come to us via health professionals, the job centre and other routes. Farm volunteering makes a real difference to people’s lives, and your work will contribute to that.
This role involves:
Management of volunteer opportunities at the Farm, including the delivery and development of the Regional Integration Fund Farming for Wellbeing project. This involves recruitment, support and management of new volunteers and existing volunteers and support staff. Volunteers are the focus of the Farm, and you will be expected to support and develop them and offer personalised reviews to help them meet their goals. You will promote the project to increase volunteer numbers and support the development of existing and new volunteers as peer mentors. You will carry out monitoring and evaluation, liaising with other staff, trustees and stakeholders and developing the programme in a beneficiary-led manner. You will write funding reports and work on funding applications for this and other Farm projects, together with our fundraising team.
Volunteer days will see you out on site, working with volunteers in the animal house and around the Farm, supporting them to learn new practical skills and manage the farm site in a nature-friendly way. You will be in charge of the staff group for the day, including day planning, briefing and debriefing. Office days will involve volunteer programme development, recruitment, line management, monitoring and reporting on the project and organising training and materials for the programme. You will work on developing partnerships to ensure we are reaching as many adults at risk who could benefit from the programme as possible. We would expect you to work with other staff on writing funding bids.
An ideal candidate will have a passion for improving people’s wellbeing through outdoor work (in all weathers!). They will be non-judgmental, experienced at working with groups, and able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people. They will have confidence around livestock and a willingness to learn how to care for them. They will enjoy supporting people to increase their confidence and wellbeing. They will be flexible and able to fit into a small, dynamic team, keen to take on responsibility and learn new things, undergoing any necessary training.
Pay Scale: £21, 699 (30 hours) – 26, 762 (37 hours)
Hours: Contracted to 30-37 hours a week
Key benefits: Workplace pension, Annual leave 28 days p.a. plus statutory bank holidays, pro rata
This post is a fixed term post until March 2025, which we would hope to extend subject to performance and the candidate helping to secure further funding.
Principal duties and responsibilities
* Develop the Farming for Wellbeing volunteering project, promoting outdoor volunteering and attracting target volunteers (those facing a health and wellbeing challenge).
* Deliver weekly volunteer days on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Work across the Farm site, including animals, gardens, grounds and Cadle Heath. Seek and implement volunteers’ ideas for site development (for example, construction, signage, wildlife-friendly areas).
* Train, induct, manage and support project staff.
* Support volunteers with a wide range of support issues to engage in the programme.
* Delivery with volunteers of events and materials to engage the community with the wellbeing benefits of the Farm.
* Provide opportunities for development of individual volunteers resulting from regular reviews of their needs/abilities.
* Monitor and evaluate the project and write reports for funder.
* Assist team in researching and preparing funding applications for the project and related activities.
* Take responsibility for Health and Safety issues relating to the programme activities and members of the public as appropriate, including preparation of activity site checks and risk assessments.
* Adhere to all policies and procedures at SCF, paying particular attention to Child and Vulnerable Person Protection Policy, Health and Safety, Code of Conduct and Equal Opportunities.
* Assist in the control of the project budget.
* Ensure handling of money and receipts in accordance with Farm financial procedures.
Working Relationships
The development of effective working relationships through: -
* Co-operation and collaboration with other staff.
* Negotiation with beneficiaries and volunteers to develop their potential.
* Participation in working groups, staff training events and meetings for the purpose of the project’s development.
* Developing partnerships with other organisations which will strengthen the Farm and improve its work and produce publicity material and liaise with the media
NB:
Your Line Manager and the board of trustees have the right to review or vary this Job Description. This post is subject to a 3-month probation period. This job description is as currently applies, but it will be reviewed as required and may be subject to variation. The post holder may be required to undertake other tasks that can reasonably be assigned, which are within their capability and grade.
Statement of equality, diversity & inclusion: We are an equal opportunities employer, seeking to avoid discrimination in all its forms, and to this end, we have a blind application process. We welcome applications from all areas of the community, including candidates with additional languages, lived experience and from diverse backgrounds