What we do

Equal Futures works to improve social inclusion for adults with learning disabilities or autism. We do this by offering community-based Circles of Support; 1:1 befriending, carefully matching people a volunteer who shares their interests; and by facilitating small scale social events to bring people with lived experience and their family members together for mutual support and fun.

We co-produce bespoke person-centred plans with people who have a learning disabilities or autism. They identify what they want help with and design the support they would like. This might include providing information, taking part in new social activities or providing emotional and practical support during a time of change. Our Circles of Support model is unique and once established, can become self-sustaining, offering life-long supportive friendship.

Our Vision

Everyone has friendships which are based on kindness, compassion and respect.

Our Mission

To work alongside people with learning disabilities or autism to reduce loneliness and social isolation

Our Values

• We are committed to positive relationships.
• Making a sustainable difference.
• Social inclusion for everyone

Job purpose

To build inclusive communities through matching volunteers with people with a learning disability. This will be achieved by building robust partnerships with statutory and third sector bodies to reach out to individuals who are lonely or socially isolated. A key to success in the role is having an imaginative and thoughtful approach to recruiting volunteers who can make an extraordinary impact on people’s lives. The successful candidate will have opportunities to shape and develop the project to make a positive and sustainable difference

Key functions and responsibilities

• Project management - Manage and facilitate effective Circles of support with individuals and their families
• Carry out all aspects volunteer recruitment and management - Including design and deliver comprehensive volunteer training
• Work alongside people with learning disabilities or autism to reduce loneliness and social isolation - Work closely with families or other key people in the individual’s life to identify needs and approaches to social inclusion
• Work effectively as a team member

Experience

• At least two years working with vulnerable people, paid or unpaid
• Evidence of supporting vulnerable people to achieve their goals
• Evidence of delivering high standards of quality
• Evidence of achieving successful outcomes with individuals or families
• Working in partnership with other organisations and agencies effectively
• Recruitment and training of volunteers
• Safeguarding and Risk Assessment protocols
• GDPR and confidentiality
• Personal attributes
• Enthusiastic about making a positive contribution to communities
• Able to nurture and value volunteers
• Resourceful and solution focused
• Able to engage effectively with people in a range of settings
• Energised by creating new ways of working and making it happen
• Able to work on own initiative and achieve results

Equal Futures promotes social inclusion for people with a learning disability or Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) in Scotland, and we are excited to be recruiting to our Board of Trustees.

We were established in 2002 by a group of parents who had a loved one with a disability. Their goal was to help families plan for their relative to live their best life.

Since then, Equal Futures has been on a journey to end the social isolation of individuals and families. We do this through our Circles of Support model and more informally through volunteering and social opportunities.

We currently support people across 10 Local Authorities and have big ambitions for our unique support model to reach more people. We take pride in being a member organisation that puts people with a learning disability at the heart of everything we do. We operate as a registered Scottish charity within the Thera Group of companies.

Our Vision- Everyone has friendships which are based on kindness, compassion, and respect.

Our Mission - To work alongside people with a learning disability or autism to reduce loneliness and social isolation

Our Values - We are committed to:

• Positive relationships.
• Making a sustainable difference
• Social inclusion for everyone

Equal Futures has a well-established Board of Trustees with a range of skills and backgrounds. We are seeking to appoint 3 new Trustees. We welcome applications from all social groups, especially from people with lived experience of ASC or a learning disability.

We are particularly interested in people with any of the following:

• Lived experience of a learning disability
• Leadership experience in Scotland’s health and social care sector
• Knowledge in the fields of social care; social inclusion; statutory or voluntary sector; fundraising; volunteer recruitment
• Fundraising skills
• Volunteer recruitment and retention strategy

Our ideal candidate is:

• Passionate about equality
• Comfortable communicating with a range of audiences
• Willing and driven to work with others to make a lasting difference
• Able to commit appropriate time to bi-monthly Board meetings, including preparation and following up on agreed actions. This will be approximately 9 days per year
• Awareness and interest in the needs and rights of families and individuals with learning disabilities or ASC

What we do

Equal Futures works to improve social inclusion for adults with learning disabilities or autism. We match each person with a volunteer who shares their interests. The initial focus is on befriending and identifying activities to do in community settings; ideally welcoming places where friendships can be made. We also organise our own events and activities so that individuals, volunteers, and families can meet together.

Job purpose

To build inclusive communities through matching volunteers with people with a learning disability. This will be achieved by building robust partnerships with statutory and third sector bodies to reach out to individuals who are lonely or socially isolated. A key to success in the role is having an imaginative and thoughtful approach to finding volunteers who can make an extraordinary impact on people’s lives. The successful candidate will have opportunities to shape and develop the project to make a positive and sustainable difference.