Befriending and Hospital Visiting Officer
Job Description
Job summary
The Befriending and Hospital Visiting Officer plays a vital role within Jamis Social Engagement Service, supporting people experiencing mental health challenges, isolation, and emotional distress to feel connected, valued, and supported. The postholder will coordinate and develop befriending and hospital visiting programmes, building positive relationships between service users, volunteers, families, and community partners. Responsibilities include assessing service users needs, matching and supporting volunteers, coordinating hospital visits, maintaining accurate records, promoting safeguarding, and ensuring individuals receive compassionate, person-centred support. The role requires excellent communication, organisation, and relationship-building skills, with a focus on reducing isolation and improving wellbeing across the community
Main duties of the job
We are looking for a compassionate and organised Befriending and Hospital Visiting Officer to join Jamis Social Engagement Service. You will support people affected by mental health challenges by coordinating befriending relationships, supporting volunteers, and helping individuals feel more connected to their community. The role involves building trusting relationships, carrying out assessments, coordinating hospital visits, managing safeguarding concerns, and working with colleagues and community partners to improve wellbeing and reduce isolation. This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who is passionate about making a meaningful difference in peoples lives
About us
Jewish Care is the largest health and social care charity serving the Jewish community in London and the South East, supporting thousands of older people, families, and individuals every week. Through a wide range of services including care homes, community support, social work, and mental health services, we help people live meaningful, connected, and fulfilling lives. Jami, now part of Jewish Care, provides specialist mental health support for individuals, families, and communities, offering services including adult mental health support, carer support, education, befriending, and hospital visiting. Guided by our values of Excellence, Integrity, Innovation, Compassion, and Inclusiveness, we are committed to creating inclusive services where people feel supported, respected, and value
Job responsibilities
We are looking for a compassionate and organised individual to join our Social Engagement Service as a Befriending and Hospital Visiting Officer for people living with mental illness.
This is a varied and rewarding role supporting two key services:
Befriending Programme a 1:1 volunteer befriending service that supports people experiencing loneliness and mental health challenges to build meaningful connections and increase independence.
Hospital Visiting Service providing social and emotional support to Jewish patients in mental health settings, helping them stay connected to their community during hospital stays.
You will play a central role in coordinating support, building relationships, and ensuring both services run safely and effectively.
This role is working an average of 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
We operate a rolling recruitment process, and suitable candidates will be invited to interview as applications are received.
What Youll Be DoingBefriending Service duties (approx. 4 days/week):
- Manage and support a caseload of volunteer-client matches
- Monitor and record interactions, ensuring safe and effective relationships
- Recruit, train, and support volunteers
- Carry out client assessments and support individuals to access additional services
- Facilitate new matches and support ongoing engagement
Hospital Visiting Service duties (approx. 1 day/week):
- Coordinate hospital visits for patients
- Liaise with volunteers, patients, and Chaplaincy teams
- Visit patients in mental health settings
- Support and supervise hospital visiting volunteers
- Maintain accurate records and reporting
The post holder will focus on befriending approximately four days a week, and one day a week on hospital visiting, spread out across the five-day working week.
Across both services:
- Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns
- Build partnerships with hospitals, community organisations, and internal teams
- Promote the services and contribute to service development
- Maintain accurate records and contribute to reports and case studies
Were looking for someone who is:
- Confident working with volunteers and building strong relationships
- Knowledgeable about safeguarding, confidentiality, and risk management
- Comfortable supporting individuals with mental health needs
- Highly organised, with strong IT and administrative skills
- A strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills
- Emotionally resilient, flexible, and collaborative
- Experienced in working in a service delivery or support role
Desirable (but not essential):
- Experience in the mental health or charity sector
- Understanding of the Jewish community and its practices
- Experience working in partnership with other organisations
- Lived experience of mental health challenges
This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in peoples livessupporting individuals experiencing loneliness and mental health challenges to build connections, confidence, and independence.
Youll be part of a supportive team, working within a respected organisation with strong community links and a commitment to high-quality care and volunteering.
Person Specification
General Requirements
Essential
- Please refer to job description above
Desirable
- Please refer to job description above
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
Jewish Care
Address
Golders Green
NW11 9DQ
United Kingdom
