Sports Development Officer

Sport in Mind is an independent mental health charity founded in Berkshire in 2010, with a simple mission:

"To improve the lives of people experiencing mental health problems through sport and physical activity"

Sport in Mind is the leading mental health sports charity in England, delivering innovative physical activity projects in partnership with the NHS to promote mental wellbeing, improve physical health, combat social isolation, and empower people to move their lives forward in a positive direction.

Our services are co-designed by people with personal experience of mental health problems and healthcare professionals, and we have supported the recovery of over 31,000 people. 

As a growing organisation, we have an exciting opportunity and seek to appoint a part-time (22.5 hours per week) Sports Development Officer who will manage and develop new and existing programmes in the North West.

Job Purpose

Work closely with the Sport in Mind team to manage, coordinate and deliver innovative sport, physical activity and education sessions for people experiencing mental health problems in the North West of England.

Designation of Post and Position within Service

Responsible to Sport in Mind’s Head of Operations.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Establish, manage and deliver high-quality innovative sport, physical activity and educational sessions for people experiencing mental health problems, maintaining the highly regarded reputation that the charity has gained.
2. Work closely with external partners to support the development of the sessions and gain referrals.
3. Recruit and manage appropriately qualified sports coaches and physical activity leaders to lead motivational and fun sessions for participants.
4. Provide supportive and informative practices for people accessing sessions, empowering them to attend (e.g. send a map, address, provide participant forms, explain what to expect on arrival, make staff aware of new arrivals, and follow up on experience).
5. Ensure all participants have completed relevant and necessary paperwork.
6. Organise and manage bookings (e.g. leisure centres, community centres, meeting hires).
7. Carry out robust risk assessments for each session and update accordingly and/or annually.
8. Update information for communication materials (e.g. posters, social media, leaflets, newsletters and website) to publicise sessions.
9. Set up working groups and gain insight from people with lived mental health problems.
10. Organise, develop and deliver workshops for external organisations and clubs.
11. Be responsible for money handling (e.g. cashing cheques, collecting and delivering money pots).
12. Complete data entry for sessions. Ensuring all relevant data is collected for each funding body.
13. Support with ad-hock charitable matters.
14. Be committed to good practice and ensure familiarity with all Sport in Mind policies and procedures (e.g. health and safety, confidentiality and safeguarding).
15. To promote equality and diversity in all aspects of your work by developing and maintaining relationships, ensuring that colleagues are treated fairly and with respect/dignity.
16. Represent the charity at local and nation events.

For more information and to apply go to: https://www.sportinmind.org/jobs