Imago (formerly Voluntary Action within Kent) is a long established, well respected and effective charity working across Kent, Medway and East Sussex to deliver a range of services to individuals, voluntary and community organisations, the public and private sector.
Our mission is to promote, develop and facilitate social action, support independence and empower communities. User and volunteer engagement, leadership and involvement in decision making are core principles.

We deliver a wide range of services in partnership with funders, public sector commissioners and private sector sponsors to children and young people, older people, carers, and volunteers.

Underpinning our work is a commitment to excellence, evidencing impact and safeguarding vulnerable people.

Imago offers a competitive remuneration package consisting of salary, contributory pension, healthcare benefits and 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays.

SAFE was established in October 2011 with funding from the James Naylor Memorial Fund set up in memory of James Naylor, a young man from Benchley, who tragically took his own life at the age of 23. The pilot was originally set up to raise awareness of youth suicide and the impact on those touched by suicide. The focus of the project has been to support local young people within schools to raise awareness of mental health issues and to deliver outreach support and activities.

This youth-led project aims to make sure that young people are more aware of the danger signs of youth suicide and that they recognise the signs of mental health difficulties in themselves and their friends. It aims to break down stigma, encouraging young people to talk about their feelings and to seek timely help. The young people leading this project are already attending local schools and are better placed to reach out to their peer group than school staff and professional agencies. The project adopts a preventative approach, working with professionals and partners to signpost young people to appropriate intervention.

Key role:

To support and develop a youth-led project to raise awareness of youth suicide and the impact on those touched by suicide through engaging local young people and delivering outreach activities. To support young volunteers to develop and deliver a range of services that raise awareness of mental health among young people and signpost to appropriate specialist services. To develop relevant relationships and links with generic and specialist providers, including schools, voluntary and community organisations, health and social services.

Main Responsibilities:

 To support committee members (young people) to develop and progress the project

 To organise and coordinate awareness raising events

 To support delivery of Drop-In sessions in schools and during school holidays

 To foster and develop links with relevant bodies locally and nationally

 To support the development of the project across Kent & East Sussex secondary schools

 To support volunteers to deliver assemblies and other awareness activities within their schools

 To assist in reporting and evaluation

 To raise awareness of the project, including via social media

 To support the recruitment, induction and training of new committee members

 At all times to promote safeguarding and the welfare of children and young people.

Key qualities/skills:

 Experience of working within the field of mental health

 Development experience desirable

 Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, including young people

 Able to deal sensitively and empathetically with people experiencing distress

 A self-starter, able to work effectively on their own initiative and as part of a dynamic team

 Based in Folkestone, but working across South Kent and Kent borders of East Sussex. Full driving license is essential with access to a car

Post is subject to references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check

Please either submit your CV with a short covering note outlining your CURRENT SALARY and or visit our website at www.imago.community for a full application.

Imago recognises that many people in our society experience discrimination or lack of opportunity for reasons that are not fair. These include: race, religion, creed, colour, national and ethnic origin, political beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability (including mental illness), HIV status, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity status, responsibility for dependants, appearance, geographical area, social class, income level or criminal record.

Imago aims to create a culture that respects and values each other’s differences. Imago sees these differences as an asset to our work as they improve our ability to meet the needs of the organisations and people we serve. We proactively seek to increase opportunities for inclusion, and celebrate diversity across our organisation and within the communities we serve.