Community Connectors is a brand new British Red Cross service being introduced through our partnership with the Co-op to tackle loneliness and social isolation across the UK.

Our Community Connector Support volunteers will play a key role supporting people who don’t know where to turn for support to reconnect to their communities. You’ll work closely alongside our expert professional Community Connectors to build individuals’ resilience and independence. You’ll provide positive encouragement, practical help and emotional support and introduce them to activities and interest groups in their local area, giving them the confidence to continue being involved in their communities long after our 12 weeks of direct support has ended.

We will place the person at the centre of what we do and help them by offering positive encouragement, practical help and emotional support, for up to three months, depending on their needs.

We keep the service user at the heart of what we do, working to understand their needs and the difference we make. You need to have good interpersonal skills, diplomacy; communication and teamwork skills and full training can be given for any necessary technical requirements. Also:

• Sensitivity when working with people affected by social isolation and loneliness and an interest in their well-being and finding pathways out of loneliness

• Maintain service user confidentiality

• An ability to provide patient, positive encouragement with the aim of helping people to help themselves

• Good understanding of community groups and networks in the local area with an ability to develop lasting partnerships. (But we will also give you this information throughout your training)

• An ability to work independently and as an effective member of a team

• Ability to travel with service users to local groups and events, this may include using your own car to drive the service user and could include their children.

• Full Drivers Licence and access to own car is desirable but not essential.

• Willingness to attend volunteer induction and appropriate training for the role

• Willingness to uphold the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and adhere to the Society’s Equal Opportunities Policy.