HEAD OF PROGRAMMES

Salary: £28,000 (plus travel)

ABOUT LIVERPOOL CARES

Liverpool Cares is a brand new ​community network​ of young professionals and older neighbours
hanging out and helping one another in our ​rapidly changing city​.

Our objectives are to tackle the growing plight of ​isolation and loneliness​ not just amongst older people
but also amongst young Scousers; to help improve the connection, belonging, purpose and power of all
participants so that older and younger neighbours alike can ​better navigate our rapidly changing
world​; and to bring people together to bridge ​social, generational, digital, cultural and attitudinal
divides.

We do this because while ​Liverpool is one of the most amazing cities in the world​ – a city of music,
laughter, personality and spirit – it can sometimes also feel ​anonymous, lonely and isolating.
Globalisation, gentrification, digitisation, transience and ​rapid community change​ have made our city a
place of extremes – one in which some of the best connected people live directly alongside some of the
most isolated, with particular challenges to do with​ loneliness and disconnection.

The result is that many older people (over 65) have ​deep roots in their communities – from Anfield to
Everton, Fairfield to Fazakerley, Croxteth to Chinatown – but few connections​, while many young
professionals (aged 21-35) can have ​hundreds of connections across the world but fewer roots in
their communities​. This disconnect wastes human potential, perpetuates social division, entrenches
isolation and is ultimately corrosive for our society.

In an ever-changing city like ours, these two groups, living side-by-side but seldom interacting,
have so much to gain from one another in shared time, laughter, new experiences and friendship.

Liverpool Cares seeks to mobilise a ​new generation​ of young professionals to build relationships and
share experiences with older neighbours in a variety of ​authentic​ ways. We speak the language of
younger and older people alike – and make interaction on a personal level mutually ​accessible,
sociable, enjoyable and fun​.

As part of the ​wider ‘Cares Family’​ of local branches that includes Manchester Cares, North London
Cares and South London Cares – with additional arms to follow – Liverpool Cares is built on a ​strong
national model, infrastructure, experience​ and ​funding​. We have investment from Nesta, The Big
Lottery and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to grow Liverpool Cares over at least the next three years.

But Liverpool Cares is also ​uniquely Scouse​. Our programmes centre on the inspiring past, present and
future of our great city – and the ​history, music and solidarity​ that make this place so special. From the
Baltic Triangle to Belle Vale, we are building a network that helps older and younger people to feel ​part
of their changing world, rather than left behind by it.

We work with Liverpool City Council, and other local community groups, businesses and individuals to
identify isolation where it occurs​ and to create new opportunities for older and younger neighbours to
share time. Our model attracts many ​people who may live on their own​, may not naturally have wide or
deep social networks, and look forward to new experiences with a different generation.
ABOUT OUR PROGRAMMES

Liverpool Cares currently operates two programmes. Our ​Social Clubs​ are group activities bringing older
and younger neighbours together in community centres, parks, cafes, pubs and local businesses to share
time, laughter and new experiences. Up to fourteen events a month, during evenings and weekends as
well as on weekdays, include dances, new technology workshops, ‘back to work’ business visits and
themed get-togethers like Christmas parties.

Meanwhile, our unique ​Outreach​ work identifies people at risk of isolation through ongoing pro-active
community engagement. Our Winter Wellbeing project, for example, supports older neighbours through
interactions and interventions to stay warm, active and connected through the most isolating time of the
year. We work in local supermarkets, betting shops, chemists, GP surgeries and other groups at the
heart of communities to help bring neighbours into Liverpool Cares.

In time, we will also begin two new programmes. ​Love Your Neighbour​ will match young professionals
and older neighbours to spend quality time together one-to-one, often in people's homes, to improve the
life experiences of all participants. Neighbours will build meaningful relationships and often become
long-lasting friends bringing new experiences, interaction and perspectives to one another, helping to
bring a little of the changing world in for those who can struggle to get out.

And ​Community Fundraising​ will offer another exciting way for younger and older neighbours to
contribute to Liverpool Cares together. From individual challenges including marathons and triathlons, to
building a network of business supporters, to creating engaging digital campaigns, local people will be
able to support Liverpool Cares in a variety of engaging ways.

Each of these programmes will be integrated and fundamental to the Cares approach. We may meet
older people through a ​conversation in a local supermarket​, invite them along to the next social club in
their neighbourhood and then introduce them to younger neighbours with whom they can develop an
ongoing friendship​ through our Love Your Neighbour programme. Sometimes, those friends will then
raise money​ ​together​ to sustain the network and keep ​all our activities free​.

Each of these programmes is developed according to The Cares Family’s national policy framework and
structures while harnessing local knowledge and experience to make this network uniquely Scouse.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

Opening in October 2018, Liverpool Cares is brand new. So far, we’ve mobilised over ​150 older and
younger people​ to be part of the community, through 15 social clubs and our first Winter Wellbeing
project and community fundraising event. As we look to 2019, we are excited to be hiring our ​very first
Head of Programmes​, to further integrate those activities, to lead our team as it grows, to build Love
Your Neighbour, to deepen our strategic partnerships, and to help take Liverpool Cares to the next level.

So this is an exciting opportunity to make a big difference for the long term. We need someone who can
inspire and motivate​ others, with the ​personality​ to bring older and younger neighbours together
through engaging activities, with the ​experience and determination ​to manage a young and
fast-changing charity with everything that entails, including diligence with our national ​systems and
processes​ to stay on top of the myriad opportunities you create.
We are looking for an ​exceptional Head of Programmes​ to anchor Liverpool Cares – to ​quadruple the
size of the network ​over the next two years; to bring in new partners; and to achieve the strategic vision.
We need someone full of ideas, with versatility, technical know-how, ​perseverance​ and strong
leadership credentials​ and ​responsibility​. And we need someone who knows our city like the back of
their hand – who has the ​networks and passion​ to inspire people to take Liverpool Cares to their hearts.

You will need to be a ​powerful communicator​, in writing and in person, and someone who can talk to
and relate to ​people from all backgrounds​, no matter their circumstances – someone equally
comfortable discussing illness and isolation with a housebound 95-year-old in Kensington as you are
talking about work and weddings with a 25-year-old volunteer in the city centre.

You will be outgoing and tenacious; a professional with an organised approach, a clear, ​authentic
communication style​ and an intrinsic understanding of the power of ​networks and digital media​. The
stand-out candidate will also have knowledge of and a passion for the unique communities and culture of
Liverpool’s various neighbourhoods, alongside experience managing complex projects and programmes.

Crucially, we need a real ​people-person​: someone who can build trusted partnerships from scratch
including with businesses, Councils and long-established community groups. We also need a ​numbers
person​, someone methodical, target focused and strategic, who can work with our national Director of
Programmes to drive a shared vision. And we need a ​self-starter​: someone committed, tough, and
focused working alone as well as collaboratively; who is passionate about developing Liverpool Cares
over the coming years.

Finally, we need someone who ​understands and is motivated​ by the demographics and social
challenges of our city and the issues we work on – and in particular who is passionate about and can
clearly promote​ our vision for building close community networks in order to ​tackle isolation and
loneliness​ in Liverpool as the city continues to change at pace.

In achieving this vision you will be trusted to work ​dynamically and independently​ at this exciting young
organisation, with a growing profile and backing from major local and national supporters, and a real
opportunity to build lasting success. And you will be provided with ​development challenges and
opportunities​, including professional support from our national Chief Executive and Director of
Programmes and ever-growing local and national networks to play a vital role in the development of
Liverpool Cares and the wider Cares Family.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

● Coaching, supporting​ and ​developing​ our team of two Programme Officers who run our Social
Clubs and Outreach programmes – to deliver engaging, exciting, inclusive, locally relevant
programmes and to get the most out of our team for the long term – and leading on staff
recruitment and onboarding.

● Setting up our ​Love Your Neighbour ​programme, creating 15 one-to-one matches in your first
year through partnerships, assessments, introductions and support.
 ● Driving and overseeing ​the quality, integration and development of all of those programmes,
overseeing and being responsible for meeting targets, and reporting to our national Director of
Programmes.

● With your team, devising and ​submitting annual plans​ to the Director of Programmes and
keeping the team on track to ensure we get the most out of Liverpool Cares’ programmes.

● Raising awareness of Liverpool Cares​ and the Cares Family’s approach by building new
strategic partnerships, and managing existing ones, for example with the City Council, to promote
the benefits of the model to all stakeholders and increase the numbers of older and younger
people engaged.

● Ensuring Liverpool Cares’ internal and external ​communications​, including website, social media
and media work, are of the highest stylistic and editorial standards, engaging people to be part of
the community and to donate to support the cause.

● Applying the Cares Family framework to ​create and manage Liverpool Cares’ systems,
policies and processes​, including CRM and monitoring and evaluations measures – to make
sure older and younger neighbours’ interactions and impact are fully recorded.

● Representing Liverpool Cares ​and the wider Cares Family with passion, integrity, ambition,
empathy, understanding and the very highest standards in all your interactions – with older
neighbours, young professionals, partners from various sectors and in wider online and offline
communications.

● Supporting your team​ and their programmes – leading two social clubs a month, going out to
help with outreach, leading safeguarding procedures, bringing in new partners and covering for
leave.

REQUIRED QUALITIES

● You are ​ambitious, hard-working​, fun, charismatic, warm, approachable, confident, outgoing,
creative, sensitive, determined to succeed, resilient, discreet, ​organised​ and professional.

● You have ​people​ ​management experience​ and are comfortable ​working alone as well as in a
team​, and setting and meeting your own and group deadlines.

● You have ​high standards and aspirations​ for your work and career, and want to make a ​lasting
contribution​ to your city on some of the defining issues of our time.

● You’re an authentic, ​high-quality communicator​ and storyteller – with the ability to build
relationships with diverse groups (through written as well as verbal communication).

● You have a good understanding of the culture and socio-economic challenges facing Liverpool –
and can ​relate to and build relationships with people​ from all backgrounds.
 ● You have ​experience​ working in small or growing charities, community organisations or
businesses and are able to adapt to the changing needs of a small but growing organisation.

● You are ​confident​ working with busy and sometimes challenging people – and you ​encapsulate
the Cares ethos​ by relating to young professionals and older neighbours simultaneously.

● You have the ​flexibility​ to work evenings and weekends in order to meet specific programmatic
targets with time off provided in lieu.

● You are able to obtain high quality references and a ​clear DBS certification​ (provided).

ROLE FEATURES
● 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
● Staff counselling service
● Travel covered

TO APPLY
To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter explaining why you are right for this role to Rosa
Friend at ​rosa.friend@liverpoolcares.org.uk​.

● Application deadline: ​February 11th 2019 at 5pm.

● First round interviews​ will take place on February 21st and 22nd 2019.
● Second round interviews​ will take place on February 27th and 28th 2019.
● Starting date​ as soon as possible thereafter.

Liverpool Cares seeks to live our values in everything we do. We are committed to inclusion in
our programmes and diversity in our teams.