Relationships Scotland–Counselling Highland (RS-CH) is based in Inverness and covers the whole of Highland. We offer relationship support for everyone in Highland over 16 experiencing relationship difficulties, whether married, single, living together, in civil partnerships, divorced or separated.

Relationships counselling is aimed at improving communication within relationships and dealing with issues around relationships. Counselling gives couples and individuals the opportunity to understand and explore the relationship issues they are facing – communication problems, mental health problems, major life events such as bereavement and divorce and other issues causing unhappiness.

Our service provides a safe, confidential space where our clients can talk and feel listened to. Our Relationship Counsellors are trained to diploma level, work to agreed professional standards and are accredited by various external bodies including Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA). Our policy is that our service should be accessible to all, irrespective of ability to pay so we do not charge a fee but ask for earnings related donations for counselling sessions.

The pandemic caused us to increase our use of online platforms to engage with clients and this has had the positive effect of making us more geographically inclusive. We now reach clients in the most remote places where communities are fragile and family relationships are crucial to their resilience. We still offer face to face sessions at our premises in Inverness for those who prefer this method.

RS-CH are delighted to be recruiting for a new Manager. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to continue to grow our organisation.

Role

The Manager will provide leadership to the organisation, develop its organisational strategy and will have responsibility for a small admin team of 4, a counselling team of 13 and a volunteer team of 4. The Manager will work with the Board of Directors to ensure the charity’s continued long-term sustainability.

With demonstrable experience of working in a similar role, you will have a pragmatic and highly organised approach. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential. The ideal candidate will have a good understanding of the third sector and may well have a track record in a leadership role. You will be someone who thrives in a busy position and is enthusiastic about working in the charity sector. Please see our Job Description for more details.

If you would love to use your skills, talents and experience to be part of a diverse and dynamic organisation, we would love to hear from you.

Since launching in 2021, Covid Aid has reached thousands of people across the UK with support, advice, and information. We have built an award winning digital community with over 1400 members. The Charity has recently received some funding from the Scottish Government, which will enable growth and direct services to our Long Covid Community in Scotland.

At the moment there are more than 2 million people around the UK who have been living with Long Covid, with families and loved ones also dealing with the deaths of more than 200,000 people. With rates still high, these numbers will continue to Grow, with media attention elsewhere the fight for support for our Long Covid Community is more important than ever.

With the growth of our digital community in mind we are seeking a Digital Support and Services Manager. The person we are looking for will have an understanding of the Community North Star metric, and follow the SPACES model. Our digital support platform will continue to allow users to speak to each other and provide peer support, whilst in addition creating a community of interest groups, courses, webinars and other therapeutic sessions and courses. Through promotion of groups, courses, and events on our other digital channels we will reach our monthly audience, meaning that we can provide support to an ever-increasing and diverse audience of individuals who have been significantly impacted by Covid-19.

The role is 15 hours a week and the hourly rate is £17, we would expect that this would be worked over several days but this can be flexible to incorporate other commitments. This will include short regular meetings with the Executive Director as well as a fortnightly meeting with volunteers and colleagues.

The initial contract length is for three months, rolling on a monthly basis monthly after this. (With covid aid or the freelancers to provide a notice period of one month prior to departing role.) We hope that the flexible nature of this role will attract a candidate that can start as soon as is practical.

We are looking for a Community Activity Organiser in Inverness.

The post holder will work in partnership with colleagues, people with dementia and their families to:

• Plan, develop and facilitate a wide range of therapeutic and social activities
• Promote activities within the community
• Review and evaluate activities providing regular reports of outcomes

Post holder will deliver a combination of in person and online groups. Proficiency and confidence in using and supporting use of digital platforms are essential for this role.

Successful candidates will have a positive approach to dementia supported by excellent communication and networking skills and an empathic, positive attitude. Having a creative flair and being a self-starter would also be an advantage as well as having experience of working with people with dementia. A willingness to develop through ongoing learning is essential.

Core hours will be discussed with the successful candidate, occasional evening and weekend work may be required and a driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential to the role.

About Us:

Change Mental Health provides support for people whose lives are affected by mental health problems or illness. We do this throughout Scotland by offering a range of services to people directly affected by a mental health issue and to those who care for them, whether family, friend or supporter. We are committed to delivering services shaped by the lived experienced of people affected by mental health. We believe in a holistic approach to providing support and aim to empower our service user to make the best use of what help and support is available to them.

About the DBI Project:

Change Mental Health is the lead partner in Dumfries & Galloway for the Scottish Government’s Distress Brief Intervention project (DBI). The DBI is a Scotland-wide project, testing a ground-breaking approach to addressing the emotional and psychological pain experienced by people in distress.

Working in partnership with frontline services, including Police, Ambulance service, Primary Care and mental health teams, the project provides rapid referral to focussed, short-term support, with the option of onward referral to longer-term support if required. As a DBI Coordinator, you will join this major, high profile Scottish Government project in a key role.

For further information about DBI and our involvement in the project, head to our website and visit DBI.scot.

About the Role:

We are seeking to appoint 2 highly motivated individuals to join our DBI team. DBI Coordinators provide support, advice and personal support planning for people referred from front-line services, carrying out short-term work with people in distress to review the reasons for their distress, develop immediate coping strategies and link them into a range of appropriate community services and facilities.

The purpose of this role is to work with people in distress who are referred by front line services (including Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service, NHS24 and Primary Care) to the Level 2 Distress Brief Intervention team. The work includes: reviewing the reasons for distress, working with individuals to develop their Distress Brief Intervention Management Plan and using supported referral to link individuals into a range of appropriate community services and facilities as appropriate.

Training in Level 2 Distress Brief Intervention, specific to the post, will be provided.

The post holders will be required to join the PVG Scheme, or update their membership record for regulated work with protected adults. (The costs are met by the employer)

These posts are part time, working 28 hours per week, office hours of 9am – 5pm with some weekend working on a rota basis (approx. every 8wks)

If you are interested in this opportunity but are unsure that you have all of the qualifications and experience necessary, please do not hesitate to get in touch for an informal discussion with Lisa Anderson, the Distress Brief Intervention National Project Manager on 07739 216 453 or email Lisa.Anderson@changemh.org

Why join us?

This is a great opportunity to join a thriving award winning charity, and help shape its future. In return for your work and dedication, we offer scope for development, a benefit package including 37 days’ holiday, enhanced sick pay, family friendly policies and access to our Employee Assistance Programme.

Find out more about what we do and who we are at changemh.org