Ref: H&WO/FTC(2021)Con
LocationWWT London Wetland Centre (Barnes)DepartmentConservationSalary£34,705 per annumPosition typeFull TimeWorking pattern37.5 hours per week – Monday to Friday
This is a fixed term contract for one year. With possibility of extension.
The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)
WWT is a conservation charity that protects wetlands for wildlife and people. We conserve, restore and create wetlands, we are pioneers in saving wetland wildlife, and inspire everyone to value what healthy wetlands can achieve for people and nature.
The Mental Health Foundation (MHF)
The project is a partnership with MHF, the UK’s leading charity for everyone’s mental health. They are home to Mental Health Awareness Week and, with prevention at their heart, they aim to find and address the sources of mental health problems so that people and communities can thrive.
The Role
Wetlands have a unique role to play in supporting people’s health. For example, recent YouGov research, commissioned by MHF, found that 65% of people find that being near water improves their mental wellbeing and is their favourite part of nature. WWT and MHF are now working to better understand how the mental health benefits to people from wetlands can be maximised.
This exciting and unique role is centred on exploring this relationship further by developing and delivering structured programmes that connect people with wetlands for health benefit. Principally, this will be through social prescribing mechanisms, in alignment with the NHS long-term plan, but with exploration of non-prescribed routes to further promote wellbeing in the community. You will focus delivery at the equally unique WWT London Wetland Centre, and the surrounding area.
Through co-production you will facilitate the design and delivery of outdoor nature-based interventions that meet the needs of people experiencing mild/moderate mental health problems. You will have experience in this field and be adept at creating the health networks needed for a wetland health programme that prioritises people living with long term conditions, single parents, and people from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds.
You will help evaluate the success of the programme, with support from WWT’s Ecosystem Health and Social Dimensions Unit (EHSD), project partners MHF and academic partners. You will use this evidence base, your networks and ingenuity to help WWT establish a model for how the project can be sustained long-term, beyond short-term funding.
To deliver the above you will work closely with MHF and their newly appointed Blue Prescribing Project Manager to establish the peer support networks and online resources that augment the programme.
We anticipate you will have prior experience in the health sector working with people experiencing mental health problems, and/or experience delivering outdoor mental health interventions, in addition to a commitment to achieving high levels of safeguarding. Knowledge and experience of conducting research, especially relating to the collection and analysis of social data, will also be an important skill; knowledge of social prescribing systems would be advantageous.
With a significant time requirement spent outside and engaging people with wetlands you will bring knowledge and a passion for the natural environment, a commitment to learn and the ability to convey the importance and wonder of wetlands to others.
In return for your hard work and dedication you’ll enjoy a wide range of benefits including:
– 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service
– Contributory pension scheme (conditions apply)
– Life assurance
– Free parking and secure bike storage areas
– Cycle to work scheme
– Free entry to all our centres
Appointment to this position is subject to the successful candidate receiving an enhanced disclosure and barred list check (child).
Closing date: Tuesday 23rd November
Interview date: Thursday 2nd December
WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.
Job description: 9_Health_Wellbeing_Officer_Vacancy_2021_London_Wetland_Centre.pdf
Closing Date: 23/11/2021
