Role: Digital Inclusion Outreach Worker
Hours: 14 hours (part time, 2 days a week)
Salary: £15 per hour, total = £5,460
Start date: October 2022
Duration: 26 weeks (with possibility of extension)
Deadline to apply: 18th October 2022
We run digital cafes to support older adults getting online. Our digital cafes act as an informal digital skills project in community spaces where seniors have access to digital devices and support, whilst socialising and having a cup of tea with local residents. At these sessions we teach everything from email, accessing benefits and housing information online to social media and online shopping. The positive influence of this project helps reduce social isolation in the older population by providing them with the opportunity to connect with loved ones virtually, and bond with a new group of people over a new skill. These sessions also provide people with the knowledge and skills to navigate and use the internet which only 47% of adults aged 75 years and older thus working towards minimizing the digital exclusion of older adults. We have run sessions with Bramley Elderly Action, Daisyfield Grange Retirement Home and Bramley Community Centre. We are now running digital cafes at OWLS in Headingley and at Holt Park Active Leisure Centre for older adults and people with disabilities.
Job Opportunity
We are looking for a community outreach worker to help get the word out about our projects and get people through the door to attend the services we provide. Most of our target audience are isolated and disconnected, often lacking in self-confidence and motivation so it’s hard engaging with them even though they learn new skills and meet new people. Therefore, we need someone dedicated to finding beneficiaries and supporting them to access our services. We are looking for someone to carry out intensive outreach work to create and maintain strong relationships with local communities, organisations, and people. We envisage 1 day a week you’d come into our office in Headingley and we’d have a team meeting and you would be able to work from the office that day if needed. The second day a week we’d like you out in the community around Leeds identifying potential partners and clients!
Duties:
- identifying potential partners
- drive demand and find beneficiaries for our projects
- developing and maintaining positive relations with key stakeholders in the sector such as Neighbourhood Networks, Leeds City Council, Community Centres, Places for people, 100% Digital, NHS, Retirement Life Schemes etc
A few examples of what outreach would like:
- Visiting local spaces that seniors habitually go to; supermarkets, libraries, community hubs, community centres, mosques, coffee shops etc
- Face-to-face collaboration with our audience and many third sector/statutory organisations who are also working with older adults
- Talking to potential beneficiaries about the benefits of getting online.
- Organising stands at a local GP, hospital outpatient areas to get referrals to our digital cafes
- Door knocking
- Put up posters in community/leisure centres, churches etc
Essential skills:
- Friendly and positive attitude
- Organisational skills
- Communication skills and Confidence i.e. ability to chat to people in public areas/ door knocking
- Commitment to improving the work we deliver
- Ability to work on your own initiative and resolve things as a team
Desirable skills:
- Experience working preferably with vulnerable groups.
- An understanding of the factors that can lead to social and digital isolation in older people
- Experience of the issues faced by and sensitivity to the challenges older people face
- Proven experience delivering and developing projects
- Full UK driving licence or suitable alternative transport method in place
Benefits for you
You will have the opportunity to attend workshops, seminars and conferences relating to the job, sector and the issues we’re addressing. You will receive some training in carrying out semi-structured interviews, and consultation techniques. You will develop skills in communicating with members of the community and maintaining positive business relationships with key organisations in the third sector. You will gain confidence and experience in outreach work, in a part-time capacity and thus the ability to continue with other work/studies/commitments.
Induction
- Role explanation
- Health and Safety and Safeguarding
Opportunity Contact
Victoria Norman, Project Development and Digital Inclusion Officer, Your Back Yard, victoria@yourbackyard.org.uk.
Please send your CV and Covering Letter to Victoria by 18th October to apply for this role.
