New Connections Café Project Worker

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Are you interested in joining an award-winning Scottish charity? We have an exciting opportunity to join our New Connections team as a Community Café Project Worker. It is a full-time post. We are looking for a self-motivated person who is interested in developing and building pay-what-you-can-café initiative at our community hub New Connections.

We are looking for someone who can innovate, come up with and test new ideas and isn’t afraid to try out different concepts.  There is scope for long term career development in the role if the café project is successful.  We are looking for a motivated person who is looking to create and develop something special

Job Purpose:

The New Connections Community Café Project Worker will play a key role in creating a welcoming environment, manning the reception desk and cafe area with support from volunteers, and developing our new pay-what-you-can café initiative.

About the Role:

As the project worker, you will be responsible for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in our community hub. You'll manage the day-to-day operations of our café, serving hot drinks and snacks while building meaningful connections with our community members. This role offers the opportunity to shape the development of our community café as it grows.

This role would be full time (35 hours) worked over a 4 day week. One of these days would need to include Saturdays due to the nature of a cafe, also opening Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Opening days and times may vary as the project develops, but this would be in part guided by you. 

About New Connections

New Connections is a branch of the local charity Lochaber Hope. New Connections is a vibrant community hub on the Fort William High Street. It is a space open to the whole community to start, attend or host groups and events. We are currently in a development phase having just put in new flooring and lighting and are excited to be starting a pay what you can café for the community.

The main duties and responsibilities of the Project Worker are:

  • To manage the daily operations of the community café, including food service, stock management, and maintaining a clean environment.
  • To create a welcoming atmosphere and build relationships with café visitors and community members.
  • To handle cash donations, maintain simple financial records, and manage the pay-what-you-can system.
  • To ensure compliance with food safety regulations and maintain appropriate documentation.
  • To develop creative ideas for the café's growth and community engagement.
  • To organise and maintain the community space for various activities and events.
  • To promote the café and community space through social media and local networks.
  • To work collaboratively with other team members and volunteers.
  • To offer basic hospitality training and support to volunteers.
  • To support community events and activities when required.
  • To maintain the cleanliness and organization of the space.
  • To assist in monitoring and reporting on café usage and community impact.
  • To participate in team meetings and contribute to the development of the project.
  • Able to work occasional events with notice (Time off in lieu will be applied).

 

Requirements

Skills and Abilities:

Required:

  • Ability to show initiative
  • Excellent customer service skills with a warm and welcoming personality
  • Highly sociable and chatty, with a genuine willingness to engage and form connections with service users, and the wider community
  • Experience in café or food service operations
  • Strong organisational and time management skills
  • Warm and welcoming customer service skills
  • Ability to work independently
  • Basic food hygiene knowledge (training will be provided)
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills
  • Basic computer skills for social media and record-keeping
  • Ability to work flexibly with others.

Desired:

  • Previous experience in community development or social enterprise.
  • Creative ideas for community engagement and café development.
  • Baking and cooking experience.
  • Understanding of mental health and wellbeing issues.
  • A willingness to support centre users in times of need; training will be provided but a helpful and caring disposition will be a great starting point.
  • A can-do attitude and readiness to learn; ongoing training will be provided to enable you to work with a wide variety of people and help tackle social issues in the centre—the project worker will need to be open to this training and to immersing themselves in the centre and support we can provide.
  • Personal experience or an understanding of community development and social enterprise would be advantageous. Candidates should show enthusiasm for creating an inclusive and welcoming space for all members of our community.

Organisational Benefits:

Working within a team of positive and motivated staff who are passionate about the work they do in the community.

Access to training opportunities.

Company Pension (opt out).

Generous holiday allowance of 34 days leave per year.

Starting Salary - £24,078 (Pro Rata) Full-time 35 hours per week.

To apply, please email your CV and a personal statement cover letter to iona.macleod@lochaberhope.org.uk before Friday, 21st of February 2025 

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