Support Worker/Driver - Ad hoc (The Woodfuel Centre CIC)

Blyth Star Enterprises Limited; Sheepwash; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A local service provider for mental health support in Sheepwash seeks an individual to assist clients with mental health issues and disabilities. The role involves supporting production at The Woodfuel Centre, providing transportation, and maintaining vehicles. Ideal candidates should have a good driving record, experience in customer service, and the ability to support clients in a caring environment.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting people with mental health issues or learning disabilities.
• Patience and a polite attitude towards other road users.
• Willingness to undertake further training in health & social care.

Responsibilities

• Support people with mental health issues in a working environment.
• Assist in the production and delivery of wood fuel products.
• Transport clients and maintain vehicles.

Skills

Experience in retail and dealing with the public

Ability to operate machinery in a safe manner

Basic ability in English and maths

A good driving record and full driving licence including D1

Good eyesight and colour vision

Excellent practical driving skills and road safety awareness

Ability to work alone and concentrate

Ability to work as part of a team

Willingness to be flexible

Good spoken and written communication skills

Basic knowledge of gardening skills

Reasonable level of fitness

Job description

Job Summary

To support people with mental health issues and (or) learning disabilities to experience a working environment and access training/employment. To assist in the production of our products within The Woodfuel Centre and its garden area and support clients in maintaining gardening projects within the local community. To transport people from collection points to their place of work and return at the end of each day, collect goods and deliver them to customers, co‑ordinate the maintenance of our vehicles and participate in the wider work of The Woodfuel Centre and our partner organisation, Blyth Star Enterprises Limited. Working within The Woodfuel Centre to produce wood fuel products for both retail and wholesale markets, and within the wider day and employment services with our partner organisation Blyth Star Enterprises. Assisting in the provision of support and training to enable people who may have mental health needs or who may be currently unemployed to gain skills, knowledge and confidence. To promote their independence and well‑being, supporting them to obtain or regain the skills to return to work should they choose. Providing transport to enable people who use our services to access the various activities available. Providing a delivery service to enable the products produced within our various departments to get to market in a timely and cost‑effective manner. To assist in the monitoring and maintenance of vehicles used at The Woodfuel Centre.

Responsibilities

• Supporting other members of staff in providing advice, guidance and support to people who experience mental ill health, who attend The Woodfuel Centre or its partners as either a day service or an employment training placement
• Meeting the agreed production targets
• Participating in planning and review meetings with Care Managers or other official representatives of funding agencies as appropriate
• Dealing appropriately with customers and members of the public
• Collecting goods from the appropriate department
• Using a forklift truck to load deliveries as appropriate
• Using a forklift truck within The Woodfuel Centre for moving supplies etc.
• Loading the vehicle to match the delivery route
• Planning the route to make sure deliveries are made on time
• Unloading goods at the right addresses
• Collecting signatures and giving invoices on delivery and updating delivery records
• Recording mileage and fuel purchases
• Returning undelivered items to the appropriate base
• Collecting and returning workers from various locations as agreed
• Assisting in monitoring and ensuring the maintenance of the vehicles used in the delivery of our services. This currently includes a delivery vehicle and a minibus
• Safe/correct use of equipment within the department and undertaking the relevant maintenance procedures
• Taking responsibility for the health and safety of areas in which you work and the activities that are carried out in them, adhering to all statutory requirements e.g. Health & Safety, COSHH and policies of The Woodfuel Centre or Blyth Star Enterprises
• Participating in the planning and development of services within The Woodfuel Centre and Blyth Star Enterprises
• Undertaking training as indicated by Supervisors or the Management Team
• Keeping within any agreed delegated financial budget and targets
• Participating in a formal appraisal system
• Always acting as an ambassador for The Woodfuel Centre and Blyth Star Enterprises
• Most challenging part of your job: Being responsible for delivering a progressive service that is unique in its approach to meeting the needs of people with enduring mental health problems Maintaining the balance between support/training and production Maintaining a positive approach and acting as a role model at all times

Key Qualifications and Skills

• Experience in retail and dealing with the public (essential)
• Ability to operate machinery in a safe manner (essential)
• Basic ability in English and maths (essential)
• A good driving record and full driving licence including D1 (essential)
• Good eyesight and colour vision (preferable)
• Excellent practical driving skills and road safety awareness (essential)
• An enjoyment of driving (preferable)
• The ability to work alone and concentrate (essential)
• The ability to work as part of a team (essential)
• A willingness to be flexible (essential)
• Patience and a polite attitude towards other road users (essential)
• A track record of good customer interface skills (preferable)
• Good spoken and written communication skills (essential)
<>A good knowledge of the delivery area (preferable)
• A reasonable level of fitness (essential)
• A basic knowledge of gardening skills to assist with and develop our gardening area and projects within the community (essential)
• The ability to complete record sheets and paperwork (essential)
• Willingness to undertake further training in health & social care as well as trade specific training (essential)
• A non‑judgmental approach to working with people who may experience mental distress (essential)
• To be able to support and encourage others to develop their own skills (essential)

Disability Confidence

We are a Disability Confident employer and will generally offer an interview to any applicant that they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer.