INFORMATION PACK for Community Agents Project (Hart)
Firstly, thank you for your interest in the Community Agents project. Following the success of The Village
Agent programme we are now looking for trusted local volunteers to be trained as Community Agents to
help provide high quality information to older people in your area.
I hope the materials enclosed will give you a better understanding of the Community Agents project and a
clearer idea of what being a Community Agent will entail. We have included some background
information, a role description and a person specification.
If, after reading through these materials, you believe you would like to be a Community Agent, there is an
application form for you to complete.
Background to Community Agents Project
Following the success of the Hampshire Village Agent Project, the Community Agent Project, covering the
more built-up areas of Hart, began in September 2014. The project is a partnership between Hart District
Council, Age Concern Hampshire and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. The Community Agent project
aimed to increase and improve the ways older people find and benefit from information in rural areas.
Research and discussions with older people within Hampshire have shown that many older people would
prefer to get information about services face-to-face from a local, trusted contact, rather than attempting
to find this information via the internet or making multiple phone calls. As a result of this feedback from
older people, and in an attempt to provide better support and access to vital information for older people,
The Community Agent Project was launched.
Community Agents bridge the gap between the communities in which they were based and the voluntary
and statutory organisations offering services for older people. The Community Agents are well trained
volunteers providing high quality information who can help put older people in direct contact with
agencies and organisations that were able to offer help and advice. By providing access to the right
information at the right time Community Agents can help many older people to live independently in their
homes and communities.
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Programme structural overview
A multi-agency Community Agent Project Steering Group provides over-arching management of the
project, which includes representatives from Age Concern Hampshire, Hart District Council and Hampshire
Fire and Rescue.
Community Agent Role Description and Person Specification
Role Title:
Community Agent
Hours:
4-6 hours a week
Location:
Community based and working from home (successful candidates will be provided
with a mobile phone, laptop, and stationery as required)
Accountable to:
Community Agent Co-ordinator (Age Concern Hampshire)
ROLE DESCRIPTION
Essential Skills and Abilities
•
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a range of people and
organisations such as older people, carers, relatives, and professionals.
•
Ability to share information and sign-post older people in a clear and easy to
understand manner.
•
Willingness to work with people from all social and economic backgrounds.
•
Strong time and task management and ability to prioritise your own workload.
•
Ability to prepare and submit reports on your activity for the Community Agent
Co-ordinator.
•
Owner Driver (expenses paid).
•
Computer literacy.
•
An appreciation for confidentiality requirements and the importance of data
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protection.
•
Willingness to submit to an enhanced CRB check.
Desirable Skills and Abilities

Previous experience of working with older people.

Previous experience as a volunteer in your community.

An understanding of issues relating to equalities.

Knowledge of resources, information about groups, services and activities to support older
people’s independence and well-being.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
A Community Agent is required to:
•
Be a trusted local presence and resource, linking older people in your community to the
services and information they need by engaging with existing community services, facilities,
activities and members.
•
Directly engage with older people in a friendly, courteous manner, building social capital
and helping to create resilient communities.
•
Respond to enquiries from community members in a prompt and considerate manner,
keeping requests and conversations confidential where appropriate.
•
Report on measures taken, data gathered and outcomes on a regular basis.
•
Provide information and sign-posting that is accurate, easy to understand and up-to-date.
•
Provide Home Fire Safety visits on behalf of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service to deliver
safety advice and support.
•
Utilise the Age Concern Hampshire Information & Advice Team, as well as other accurate
resources, to provide the best possible information to the older people living in their
community.
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•
Identify opportunities to enable the community to develop and sustain new initiatives.
Please send a completed application form to:
Bruce White
Community Agent Co-ordinator
Age Concern Hampshire
1 St Cross Road,
Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 9JA
Mobile: 0781336820
[email protected]
Thank you for your interest in this role.
Transport costs to and from an interview will be paid.
Registered Charity No. 290874