Self-employment status (you will need to pay your own tax and national insurance) 400 per month (no overtime funding available)

Transcription

1 Development Facilitator for DEEP groups in Shropshire Twelve-month contract Self-employment status (you will need to pay your own tax and national insurance) 400 per month (no overtime funding available) Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed and a contribution to telephone costs Flexible working, approximately four days a month Working from home Will require countywide travel Taking part in relevant National DEEP Gatherings opportunities as required (additional funding will be available for travel and accommodation to attend these). Purpose of the project This project is funded by a DEEP Working Together Grant from Innovations in Dementia CiC. The main purpose of the grant, and your role, will be to: Establish ten new DEEP groups for people living with dementia across Shropshire (in addition to the current groups) To facilitate, provide support as required in consultation with the project leader and group members To establish a county-wide network At least 150 people living with dementia to attend DEEP groups.

2 Background The Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project DEEP is hosted by Innovations in Dementia, a small Community Interest Company. DEEP is NOT an Organisation it is a network of independent peer support and influencing groups across the UK. DEEP aims to give a voice to people living with dementia, to enable people to remain socially engaged, to combat the fear and stigma associated with dementia, and to provide peer support and influencing opportunities. People living with dementia progress through stages from before diagnosis through to end of life, and this journey may last (and often does) for many years. At different stages people will want different types and levels of support in order to live as they choose, and with independence. DEEP groups provide social interaction, peer support and opportunities to have a voice of influence for those in early to middle stages of living with dementia. Age is irrelevant; what matters is that people can relax with people they come to know and trust, where they have a voice that will be heard. Many group members prefer not to have caregivers present, so that members have time away from them, and to make sure they have their independence for a while. This therefore also presents a respite opportunity for caregivers and the people in the group. DEEP groups meet regularly and informally. They are run by people with dementia FOR people with dementia, although a group may choose to invite family caregivers and others to attend as well. The way a group works and attends should be decided by the group and may well be different for each group. There are usually no or limited cost involved as groups meet within their usual communities, such as in cafes or pubs, other than for members own refreshments. Sometimes groups choose to visit places together, either just for fun and mutual support, or for a definite purpose, such as assessing how dementia friendly a place is. WE may be able to consider funding if transport is one of the factors for or against people being able to attend. Members may also become involved in influencing care and health provision in their communities and speaking at conferences and training events where expenses and or Thank-you payments may be available.

3 Shropshire There are currently two main DEEP groups in Shropshire, in Shrewsbury and Oswestry, with an embryo group in Whitchurch. These have been meeting for over a year. Finding people living with dementia to come to these groups has been slow. This may be due to lack of understanding of the groups, reluctance to sit down with others with dementia, lack of explanation and promotion by health and care providers, or simply lack of public awareness and knowledge. However, members of both groups have begun to be engaged with healthcare providers, and have spoken at events and meetings. And these people want to do more and get change to happen. Shropshire does not have good health and care services to support people living with dementia to live well and as they choose. Dementia cafes tend to attract people further on in their dementia journey, and often involve organised activities which many earlier on do not enjoy. There are pilot projects providing a Dementia Navigator ( companion ) in Oswestry and Ludlow, and these are currently being evaluated. There is a crisis service provided by the Mental Health Trust, as is the Memory Service, which maintains periodic contact with people with a diagnosis. DEEP groups provide an informal social opportunity to meet others of any age or background, who are at roughly similar stages in their dementia journey. They build confidence and allow members to say things they may feel unable to say elsewhere, to share experiences and ideas, and to support each other. Great friendships are made at a time when other friends may be becoming more distant and harder to meet. This relationship that grows becomes a fundamental confidence boost for people to stand up and talk about their views and their rights. Detail This project will provide the opportunity to expand the DEEP network across Shropshire. We believe that every market town should have a DEEP group. Around 1.25% of the population live with dementia (including undiagnosed) so most market towns have at least 100 people at some stage of dementia. Across Shropshire, as a whole, it is estimated that there are 3,500 people living with dementia, of whom probably 1,500 live in care homes.

4 We therefore want to establish DEEP groups in: Ludlow Craven Arms Bishops Castle Church Stretton Bridgnorth Market Drayton Whitchurch Cleobury Mortimer Wem Ellesmere Much Wenlock. You will: Initiate and facilitate at least ten new peer support and influencing groups known as DEEP groups in market towns across Shropshire Establish relationships with health and care providers and commissioners and inform them about what DEEP groups are and their value and importance Be aware and potential current and future funding potential for DEEP Shropshire Make local contacts in market towns and create local influence to support development of DEEP groups Use all available social and other media, and more traditional methods, to publicise DEEP groups Maintain a database of contacts and use and other methods to maintain contact with potential and actual DEEP members Call meetings and provide regular contact and reminders for people living with dementia Attend DEEP group meetings at least initially and explain how they work, and ensure that the members run their groups as they all choose Maintain records of contacts and attendance and write a report at the end of the project about what has been achieved, and describe the learning from the project

5 Make phone calls and use and other communication to keep DEEP members in touch and aware of meeting dates and venues, including reminders Management and supervision You will be managed and supervised by George Rook, the project lead. In the unlikely event of difficulties support towards resolution will be sought from The National DEEP Co-Ordinator Rachel Niblock at Innovations in Dementia. You will provide (at least) monthly updates to the project lead and will work closely with him to plan and monitor progress. Financial The contract will be for twelve months for the sum of 4,800 paid monthly in equal amounts. Payments will be made at the end of the month. The post holder will be responsible for their own tax, national insurance and pension contribution arrangements. Travel expenses will be paid at 45 pence per mile, and you will be expected to minimise car journeys by planning visits and meetings carefully. Safeguarding You will be required to complete a satisfactory DBS check (or provide online evidence thereof) before taking up the role, as they will be working with vulnerable people. Two references from current and previous employers or contracting organisations will be required. In the event of this being impossible alternatives will be discussed.

6 Notice This contract will cease after twelve months, without further notice. We would like to consider how the role may be funded after this twelve month period. Use of Equipment You will be expected to provide your own telephone and IT equipment. Costs directly related to this equipment will be reimbursed, for example paper and ink. If you cannot provide essential equipment the Project Lead will make appropriate arrangements and provide what is necessary to carry out the role. Person Specification Applicants should meet some or all of the following criteria, and should demonstrate this in their application letter. Please use specific examples to illustrate these criteria. Essential (e) Desirable (d) Technical Requirements Experience of working in or with the voluntary sector (d) Understanding of dementia and its effects (d) Skills for networking with professionals and non-professionals (e) Able to use IT as needed for remote working, social media, word processing, simple databases, (e) Personal Requirements Good emotional intelligence and behavioural skills (e) Able to work on their own initiative to meet objectives (e)

7 Determination to persevere and overcome disappointment (e) Able to work flexibly as the job reasonably requires (e) Able to travel independently around the county of Shropshire (e) Listening and communication skills, tolerance and patience (e)... Applications Please apply in writing, in no more than 1,000 words, along with the names and addresses of two referees, explaining why you want to do this work, and how your experience and skills fit the requirements. Application letters should be sent to: George Rook Lyneal Mill Farm, Lyneal Ellesmere Shropshire SY12 0LE It is hoped that the successful applicant will start work no later than January 1st If you would like to discuss this contract please call George Rook on: Or Closing date for receipt of applications is Monday November 12th.