BUDDY PROJECT MANAGER (PART TIME)

Hours: 18–21 hours per week, with a flexible working pattern to be agreed with the
successful candidate

Annual Leave: 22 days per annum plus bank holidays (pro rata)

Pension: Employer pension contribution available following a three-month qualifying
period.

Pre-employment checks: Appointment is subject to satisfactory references and
completion of a six-month probationary period.

Role Purpose

The Project Manager will lead the strategic growth, operational development, and
successful delivery of our Buddy Programmes.

This new role has been created to:

• Expand volunteer capacity and improve support systems
• Increase participation and reach underserved areas
• Grow partnerships and diversify activity-based buddy opportunities
• Strengthen impact measurement and reporting
• Line manage the two Buddy Co-ordinators.

The post is funded for three years through the National Lottery and represents a major
investment in the future of our Buddying services.

While the role is currently focused on managing Gig Buddies, Social Buddies and
Football Buddies the focus of the role may evolve over time. This will be guided by the
interests, choices and aspirations of people with learning disabilities, and may include
supporting access to a wider range of social, cultural or community activities (such as
rugby, choirs or other events).

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Ensure the delivery of the project remains aligned with the charity’s mission, vision, and values.
• Work with the CEO to develop long-term plans, growth strategies, and income generating initiatives.
• Lead the expansion of the Gig Buddy and Football Buddy services, including geographic growth and diversification into new Buddy schemes (e.g., Rugby Buddies, Choir Buddies).
• Design, implement, and manage a robust Impact Reporting Process, ensuring outcomes are clearly evidenced and communicated to funders, trustees, and stakeholders.
• Regularly assess and address the environmental impact of project delivery, considering the needs and capacities of participants.

Operational Oversight

• Manage project budgets, spending, and administration, ensuring compliance with funder requirements.
• Oversee reporting to funders, including collating data, case studies, and evaluation outcomes.
• Ensure safeguarding policies and risk management procedures are robust, regularly reviewed, and adhered to.
• Lead on compliance with all legal, regulatory, and organisational requirements.
• Support the coordination and delivery of accessible participant feedback mechanisms, including relational and creative evaluation methods.

Team Leadership and Staff Support

• Line manage the Buddy Coordinators.
• Support workforce wellbeing, development, and reflective practice.
• Lead the volunteer recruitment strategy, ensuring safe recruitment, training, and supervision processes.
• Maintain a strong culture of support, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Volunteer Management and Training

Oversee the recruitment, training, matching, and retention of existing volunteers,with Year One targets including:

• Recruiting at least 15 new volunteers (growing to 40)
• Delivering 6 training courses annually
• Providing one to one volunteer supervisions
• Ensure volunteers feel valued, supported, and confident in their roles.
• Work with the Training Manager to secure co trainer hours and maintain high- quality training materials.

Participant Support and Community Inclusion

• Ensure every new participant is met in person and supported using a person centred approach.
• Oversee the matching process to ensure safe, meaningful, and interest-led connections.
• Work with staff to provide regular telephone and in-person support to participants, promoting independence, community involvement, and choice.

Events, Outreach & Community Engagement

• Lead the development of bi monthly social events and quarterly advisory groups co-produced with participants.
• Oversee creation of a quarterly Buddies Newsletter.
• Build strong community relationships, attending events and strengthening the visibility of the project.
• Ensure Gig Buddies Gloucestershire are active members of the Gig BuddiesNetwork, attending or arranging representation at network meetings and liaising with Stay Up Late to stay abreast of new initiatives and research.
• Lead a county-wide geographic audit and implement actions to reach underserved areas (including the North Cotswolds and Forest of Dean).

External Relations & Partnership Building

• Develop strategic partnerships with venues, sports clubs (e.g., Forest Green Rovers, Cheltenham Town), arts organisations, and community groups.
• Advocate for inclusion and accessibility across Gloucestershire.
• Represent the charity at events, meetings, local forums, and where appropriate, in the media.
• Lead the delivery and promotion of the Buddy Ready Training to local venues as an income-generating service.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Impact Measurement

• Oversee the collection of qualitative and quantitative data through:
• Volunteer and participant feedback
• Surveys, supervisions, and observations
• Case studies and stories of change
• Attendance records and outcome tracking tools
• Ensure learning is shared effectively with funders, stakeholders, and partner organisations.
• Use insights to continuously improve service delivery and ensure the project is led by the voices of people with learning disabilities.

Person Specification

Strongly preferred:

• Experience in managing community, volunteer-led, or inclusion-based projects
• Strong organisational, safeguarding, and risk management skills
• Experience working with people with learning disabilities (or similar groups)
• Ability to build partnerships and represent an organisation externally
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship building skills
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and co-production
• Proven leadership experience, including line management, although applications are also welcomed from experienced coordinators ready to take the next step in their career.

Additional important considerations:

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

A full driving licence is essential.

You will be based at our Stonehouse offices, with travel across the county to meet volunteers and participants. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

This role requires some evening work and weekend work, up to a maximum of six Saturdays per year. These Saturdays can be arranged by you and are not dictated by the role.

Please click on Apply Now and email your CV and covering letter.