Befriending and Hospital Visiting Officer

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

Details

• Date posted: 07 July 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £27,218 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: VP5818DEE8
• Job locations: Golders Green, NW11 9DQ, United Kingdom

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 Doing

Befriending 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

About You

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

Why Join Us?

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.