Support Worker/Driver (Ad-Hoc)

The Woodfuel Centre, a registered Community Interest Company (CIC) operated by Blyth Star Enterprises, is looking to recruit a flexible, enthusiastic and conscientious individual to work with people with complex mental health needs and/or learning disabilities who have expressed an interest in wood fuel production and general garden maintenance both on-site and within the local community, supporting them to learn, practise or maintain their skills.

You will work within The Woodfuel Centre in West Sleekburn to produce wood fuel products for both retail and wholesale markets, and within the wider day and employment services of Blyth Star Enterprises. In addition, you will introduce people to a wider range of skills within the department, encouraging them to undertake in-house training and work towards employment where appropriate. You will also be responsible for delivering wood products to the general public.

Applicants must possess a full driving licence including permission to drive D1 category vehicles.

Required Skills

• Experience in retail and dealing with the public
• Ability to operate machinery in a safe manner
• Basic ability in English and maths
• A good driving record and full driving licence including D1 category vehicles
• Excellent practical driving skills and road safety awareness
• The ability to work alone and concentrate
• The ability to work as part of a team
• A willingness to be flexible
• Patience and a polite attitude towards other road users
• Good spoken and written communication skills
• A reasonable level of fitness
• A basic knowledge of gardening skills to assist with and develop our gardening area and projects within the community
• The ability to complete record sheets and paperwork
• Willingness to undertake further training in health & social care as well as trade specific training
• A non-judgmental approach to working with people who may experience mental distress

Additional Preferred Skills

• Good eyesight and colour vision
• An enjoyment of driving
• A good knowledge of the delivery area (Northumberland and County Durham)
• A track record of good customer interface skills

Successful applicants who do not already hold a Level 3 Diploma/NVQ in Health and Social Care (Adults) will be required to undertake this training upon commencement of the post.

Notes

An application for a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) certificate will be submitted in the event of an individual being offered a position.

Blyth Star Enterprises is a Disability Confident Employer. A disabled applicant meeting the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at interview.

Find out More and Apply

To find out more about the role of a Support Worker/Driver at The Woodfuel Centre, use the links below to download our full job description:

When you’re ready, please download and complete an application form and an equal opportunities monitoring form to apply for the post:

Once complete, please send both forms to Brandon Hedley by email: b.hedley@blythstar.org.uk or by post to:

Admin Department
Blyth Star Enterprises Limited
c/o The Old Chandlery
30 Ridley Street
Blyth
Northumberland
NE24 3AG

A little bit about Blyth Star Enterprises

At Blyth Star Enterprises Limited we work alongside people aged 18 and upwards with complex mental health needs and learning disabilities to enable them to have meaningful and independent lives within their community. We support people to develop and take control of their own lives using a person-centred approach focused on rehabilitation and recovery. Our services include living support, community residential rehabilitation, day services, training and employment training, life coaching, social and leisure activities. The organisation is based upon its three fundamental principles:

Somewhere to live,

Somewhere to work,

Someone to care.