Community Outreach & Engagement Lead

We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Community Outreach & Engagement Lead to join our team. In this key role, you will work with statutory, secondary, third-sector organisations and the local community to raise awareness of young onset dementia (YOD) and engage individuals living with YOD into Younger People with Dementia (YPWD)'s core services.

The role involves outreach, community partnerships, and group facilitation to help address health disparities, encourage timely diagnosis, raise awareness and break down health seeking barriers amongst underserved communities. Applicants from a diverse background are encouraged.

This post will require a two-stage interview process with the first interview date being Wednesday 14 th of May. The second stage interview date will be confirmed following a successful first stage interview.

Main Duties and Key Responsibilities

Community Engagement and Awareness Raising:

• Raise awareness of young onset dementia within local communities, targeting global majority and underrepresented groups.
• Network and collaborate with local leaders, cultural organisations, and healthcare providers to promote awareness of YOD within underrepresented and global majority communities.
• Develop and distribute culturally sensitive, tailored materials and resources about YOD, focusing on recognising symptoms, accessing diagnostic services and support available.
• Deliver talks, workshops, and attend events to break stigma and foster understanding of dementia in diverse cultural contexts.
• Lead and manage community choir groups in Berkshire and Surrey Heath, working with local team members and volunteers to provide musical opportunities for people living with dementia.
• Work with Community Leaders and activists to build and deliver inclusive and equitable services that meet the needs of individuals from various cultural backgrounds and reduce health-seeking barriers.

Coordination of Dementia Café & Drop in Group:

• Collaborate with existing cafes and organisations to ensure a dovetailing of, or coproduction of, cafes within the local community that are age appropriate, culturally sensitive and meet the needs of underrepresented and global majority communities affected by YOD. Incorporate culturally appropriate food, activities, and traditions into café programming to ensure relevance and inclusivity and provide a space to facilitate open discussions on dementia and relevant resources.
• Recruit and train volunteers, including those from global majority backgrounds, to assist in café / drop in group operations.

Service Development & Support:

• Identify barriers to healthcare and work with the Director to develop strategies that overcome these obstacles.
• Support and feed into the development of services within YPWD to reflect the needs of individuals and groups from diverse cultures, communities, and backgrounds.
• Gain a deep understanding of the local demographic, with a focus on the needs of global majority groups, ensuring services are tailored to diverse communities.
• Understand the day-to-day challenges faced by individuals and families living with YOD, including cultural and societal impacts, and offer advice on how to adapt services accordingly.
• Establish relationships with local organisations, religious leaders, and community groups to collaborate and co-produce services for underrepresented communities.
• Establish referral pathways between dementia cafés and healthcare providers to streamline support for café/drop in group attendees.
• Gather feedback from café / drop in group participants and community partners to evaluate programme impact and identify barriers to accessing YOD diagnosis and support.
• Collate data for reports to external stakeholders and funders, showcasing outcomes and areas for growth.

Programme Facilitation & Support:

• Plan, prepare, and risk-assess activities, workshops, and one-on-one support for both face-to-face and virtual (live video) sessions.
• Provide proactive and responsive support, using evaluation tools and steering groups to continually assess and improve the service.
• Ensure that services are always inclusive, user-friendly, stimulating, equitable and research-based when appropriate.
• Maintain flexibility in service planning and delivery, with a willingness to work some evenings and weekends as required.

Communication & Administrative Duties:

• Maintain high standards of communication, ensuring both written and verbal interactions are professional, respectful, and maintain the dignity of all participants.
• Manage ongoing risk assessments and demonstrate a commitment to "positive risk-taking" in service delivery.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of administrative tasks, including updating individual records and ensuring compliance with mandatory training requirements.
• Attend regular supervision with Director and participate in internal training to enhance skills.

Key Performance Expectations

The results you will be expected to achieve are:

• Achieve all agreed actions and deadlines.

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with external stakeholders.

• Raise awareness of young-onset dementia across various local communities.

• Ensure accuracy in administrative duties and minimise the need for follow-up.

• Foster a positive work environment by proactively contributing to the team.

Qualifications, Key Skills and Experience

Essential:

• Ability to travel throughout the Berkshire, Surrey Heath, Farnham and NE Hants areas, with a full UK driving license and access to a roadworthy vehicle.
• Experience in community outreach, public health, or dementia care, particularly with underrepresented communities.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to work towards an NVQ L2 in Health and Social Care or an equivalent qualification.
• Strong awareness and understanding of cultural diversity.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and listening skills.
• Experience using information technology for various purposes.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in supporting individuals with dementia and their carers.
• Understanding of barriers to health-seeking behaviours, particularly in underrepresented communities.
• Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the UK's global majority communities is a significant advantage.
• Knowledge of dementia or young-onset dementia, and its impact on daily life, relationships, and family support networks.
• Understanding of issues around working with vulnerable adults and maintaining professional boundaries.
• Experience facilitating group sessions or activities.

Charity Benefits

In return for working for the charity, you can expect:

• Pension Scheme
• Sickness Absence Scheme
• HSF Health Cash Plan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Free on-site parking at office

Application deadline: 4 May, 2025