Social Media Volunteer

Role Description: Social Media Volunteer–

 Hertfordshire Complex Needs

Responsible to: Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator

Time commitment: A minimum of 6 hours during working week

Location: Business and Technology Centre, Bessemer Drive, Stevenage, SG1 1DX

Who we are: 

Turning Point- Hertfordshire Complex Needs Service is a free and flexible service that works in partnership with specialist housing teams and health and wellbeing services to support adults aged 18+ living in Hertfordshire with mental health needs and who are experiencing a range of complex issues:

·       Drug/alcohol use

·       Homelessness/tenancy issues

·       Debt, or financial issues

·       Offending behaviour

·       Anti-social behaviour

·       Learning disability

·       Physical disability

·       Domestic abuse

·       Other co-existing needs.

Our service is delivered on a 1:1 basis in the community, over the phone, or at one of our wide-ranging hubs or in client’s own homes.

Our service is available between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday.

We accept self-referrals or referrals received via statutory and voluntary agencies.

We use a tiered system to deliver support that is tailored to everyone’s needs over the period of up to 12 weeks (low Intensity), up to 16 weeks (medium Intensity), up to 52 weeks (high intensity) through a variety of interventions. We also have an online referral platform for professional and self-referrals. We also offer one-off pieces of support.

We deliver support through a range of interventions, including 1:1 support, advice and information, drop-in surgeries, community hubs, group sessions and workshops, telephone, email, and other virtual/digital support. Our triage system breaks down the barriers to accessing support, increasing the likelihood of engagement and overall experience in accessing community services.

We always aim to assess individuals within two weeks after initial contact and provide effective discharge planning, key information packs with FAQs and core information, and self-help apps and guides.

Our goal is to achieve positive outcomes in recovery, independence, and wellbeing through personalised and centred support. We support clients to achieve a wide range of positive outcomes towards:

·       Increasing independence

·       Debt issues

·       Preventing homelessness

·       Obtaining and sustaining tenancies

·       Enhancing health and wellbeing

·       Resolving benefits and welfare issues

·       Improving community inclusion

·       Signposting to other organisations

·       Access to peer led group sessions and workshops

·       Employment opportunities through peer mentoring programme

We also provide access to a 12-week Peer Mentor support programme, which offers more informal but profoundly connective support from individuals who have a lived experience of mental health and accessing mental health services. Our Peer Mentors engage, motivate, and inspire clients, acting as positive role models.

If you require crisis support during working hours, please contact us, and we will give you the right advice and information to help you.

Purpose of role: 

We are looking for a driven Social Media Volunteer to attract and interact with targeted virtual communities. Volunteers should have an understanding of how each social media channel works and how to optimise content so that it is engaging on those channels.

Main tasks:

• Working with the team to generate, edit, publish and share daily content (original text, images , video)
• Working with the service coordinator and head office to create 3 monthly social media plans

·       Moderate all user generated content in line with policy and procedures

• Continuously improve by capturing and analysing the appropriate social data/metrics, insights and best practice and then acting on the information

What we are looking for:

• Experience in social media marketing
• Excellent IT literacy, writing, editing (photo/video/tex.), presentation and communication skills
• Knowledge of online marketing and good understanding of major marketing channels
• Ability to demonstrate a positive non-judgemental attitude to service users
• Ability to work from home base once fully trained
• Volunteers must be aged 18 or over

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to gain experience with a highly qualified and committed team, as part of a leading mental health organisation, in a friendly and supportive office environment
• The opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of those with complex needs within our community
• All volunteers will receive training in mental health awareness, plus access to on-going training with Turning Point
• Full role specific training
• Regular supervision with the Triage and Volunteer Coordinator
• Induction and 6 week review
• Access to listings of paid-work opportunities within the Complex Needs Service when they arise
• The Complex Needs Service are able to provide references for future work/volunteer opportunities
• Travel expenses will be reimbursed (45p per mile for first 10,000 miles, 25p beyond 10,000 miles)

Next steps:

If you are interested in any of our volunteering opportunities, please contact the Complex Needs Service