Reporting to: Communities Officer

• Are you interested in the power of music to help people with dementia?
• Could you bring the power of personal playlists to people and organisations?
• Do you have experience engaging with diverse and minority ethnic communities?
• Would you like to lead a local project that will make a big impact in a short time?

Playlist for Life is a personal music and dementia charity. We have a network of over 900 Playlist for Life ‘Help Points’ that share the power of personal playlists for people living with dementia. From grassroots community groups to regional partners, GP practices, libraries, dementia cafes, sports clubs and many more community organisations: our Help Point network is as diverse as the people we want to help through the power of personal playlists. Organisations and groups able to operate safely during Covid-19, and those who have moved services online have all been supported by Playlist for Life during lockdown.

The role will allow someone to make their mark within their community and deliver real change in the quality of life for people and families living with dementia. You will establish a diverse, vibrant network of Help Points, volunteers, and trained health and care professionals, all creating and using playlists in your community. Your previous experience may have been in any sector: NHS, charity, Health and Social Care, commercial, creative.

What matters is that you demonstrate capability in community networking, developing partnerships, and recruiting, developing and enthusing local volunteers to support our Help Point expansion. You will be highly motivated, pro-active and enthusiastic. You will have strong organisational, written, verbal communications skills and experience of community mapping and networking. Experience of engaging with minority ethnic communities, remote communities and hosting community events or training would be an advantage.

You will work on your own initiative driving progress in your local area following a comprehensive induction. You will work remotely from home but when safe to do so you will also work within your community to network, engage and deliver training to local partners face to face.

Are you motivated to make a positive change to the lives of children who are impacted by the devastating, neurological condition, Huntington’s disease within their family? If so, an exciting opportunity has arisen to join Scottish Huntington’s Association Youth Service (SHAYP) as Specialist Youth Advisor supporting our vulnerable children and families throughout North/ East Scotland.

SHAYP is the Scottish Huntington’s Association youth service and works with children and families aged 8-25 impacted by familial Huntington’s disease. To affect positive change for our families, SHAYP focusses on a person-centred approach to managing HD including psychoeducation, information and advice, peer support and respite opportunities. The Specialist Youth Advisor is a pivotal role within the North/East, and will provide a vital link in supporting young people in this region, in line with SHAYPs strategic aims.

SHAYP are seeking an exemplary individual who will be responsible for managing their own complex caseload and delivering one to one support sessions in the North/East region; developing group work sessions for ages 8-12, 13-17 and 18+; providing support to practitioners; alongside providing respite opportunities at residentials and summer camp. You will need to be highly organised and have the proven ability to build trusting relationships, to empower children and young people to manage the complexities of living with HD, and their own genetic risk. Experience of child and adolescent mental health difficulties, young carers issues and child protection is advantageous.

You will work from home or North East Scotland Regional Genetics Centre in Aberdeen with regular travel throughout Highland, Grampian and Tayside.

This post is 36 hrs per week and will involve out of hours and periodic weekend working. As well as a competitive salary, we offer benefits including flexible working practices, a generous leave allowance totalling 37 days (25 days Annual leave and 12 days public holidays) and a competitive pension.

Post is initially funded for 12 months, with the expectation to extend upon securing additional funding.