Befriending Coordinator – Gift of Friendship

Befriending Coordinator – Gift of Friendship – Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland

About Us: Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland is more than a Charity we are a lifeline to older people in our local communities. As part of our mission to support older people in their everyday lives, we provide a wide range of amazing services including our Befriending Service.

About the Role

Help us tackle loneliness among older people in the city of Leicester.

Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland is looking for a Befriending Coordinator to join our friendly team and deliver the Gift of Friendship programme - a structured, time‑limited befriending service designed by Age UK to support older people who are experiencing loneliness or social isolation.

You will be the day‑to‑day driving force behind the programme in Leicester: managing a caseload, carrying out assessments, matching people with trained volunteer befrienders, and supporting them as they work towards their own personal goals. It’s a varied, people‑focused role with the chance to make a real difference in our community of contact for funder reporting, working to agreed deadlines throughout the programme.

What You’ll Be Doing

Assess people referred in and match them with the right volunteer befriender.
Manage a caseload, reviewing progress against personal goals.
Accompany people to community activities where this supports their goals.
Recruit, induct, supervise and recognise a team of volunteers.
Promote the service to GPs, social prescribers and community partners.
Risk assess venues and activities and uphold safeguarding standards.
Keep accurate records and provide KPIs and case studies to deadline.

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

Experience supporting vulnerable adults in befriending, social care, mental health or a community setting.
Experience of caseload management, assessment and matching.
Experience of recruiting, supporting and supervising volunteers.
Understanding of loneliness and isolation in older people, including those living with dementia or poor mental health.
Knowledge of safeguarding adults, risk assessment, lone working and data protection.
Strong organisational skills and confident with IT and client record systems.
Excellent communication and a person‑centred approach.
Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to travel independently across the city of Leicester.

Desirable:

Relevant qualification in health and social care, community work or mental health.
Experience in a charity or non‑profit setting.
Experience supporting people living with dementia or mental health conditions.
Experience working with the NHS, social prescribers or local authorities.

What We Offer

25 days’ leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays, plus Christmas Eve and the Tuesday after Easter Monday.
Pension scheme and sick pay scheme.
Free on‑site parking at Thorncroft and 40p per mile mileage allowance.
Training, supervision and a supportive team.

How to Apply

Please download an application form and the full person specification from our website.

Completed applications or CVs should be sent to jobs@ageukleics.org.uk

This post will remain open until it is filled. We will be reviewing applications and interviewing on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to close this advert early if a suitable candidate is found.

Hours: 30 per week, Tuesday to Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm

Salary: £14.05 per hour (£21,978.27 per annum)

Contract: Fixed term to 31 March 2027

Location: Thorncroft, 244 London Road, Leicester LE2 1RN, with travel across the city of Leicester

Interviews will be held at Lansdowne House, 113 Princess Road East, Leicester, LE1 7LA.

Age UK Leicestershire & Rutland is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Download the job description

Download the terms and conditions

Download the person specification