Community Wellbeing Practitioner - The Isle of Wight Foodbank

Job Posted: 4 July 2025

• Contract Term: Fixed Term
• Location: Cowes, Isle of Wight
• Contract Type: Part time
• Salary: To be confirmed at interview
• Industries: Health & Social Care Charity / Voluntary

The Isle of Wight Foodbank is a Christian charity, founded by local churches and working in partnership with the Island’s wider community. Our mission is to support individuals and families in crisis. As part of the Trussell Trust network, we provide emergency food and practical support while campaigning to end the need for food banks in the UK.

Overview of the role: As a Community Wellbeing Practitioner, your primary goal is to reduce the number of people needing emergency food support by addressing the root causes of poverty. This is achieved through one-to-one, holistic engagement with food bank clients, supporting them on a journey towards greater stability and wellbeing.

Key tasks

•                   To attend our food banks across the Island. Working closely with the food bank supervisors to discover the   underlying issues that have brought clients to the food bank, through building relationships of trust, to   ultimately  lead to their engagement in a bespoke level of support.

•                    Foster trusting relationships with clients to facilitate meaningful engagement and personalised support.

•                    To support clients in contacting relevant agencies and organisations, making initial calls and liaising with the       agency on behalf of the client and attending appointments and following up services throughout their journey.

•                    To work closely with the other Community Wellbeing Practitioner as well as others across the island in similar     roles.

•                   To support clients with completing paperwork such as PIP, Attendance Allowance and other relevant benefits.

•                   To support the client's well-being by ensuring they are aware of what support is available and relevant to their   needs.

•                   To have an understanding of supervision and be able to work closely with the other Community Wellbeing   Practitioner in attending peer supervision regularly.                     

As a very small team, we work very closely, supporting each other. There will be times when you will be asked to be flexible with your hours.

You will be asked to work and support our ‘Events’ from time to time, which may include working evenings or weekends. There is an expectation that the Manager will ask you to cover other work as and when needed.

 About you

We are looking for someone who is:

·         Compassionate and empathetic towards vulnerable individuals and families

·          Highly organised, with excellent interpersonal skills

·          Motivated to use their skills to make a lasting difference in people’s lives

·         Passionate about tackling poverty and strengthening community wellbeing

·         Self-motivated, able to work independently and with initiative

·         Experienced in one-to-one client work, with knowledge of local support services

·         A strong communicator, both verbal and written

·         Confident with IT systems and digital communication

·         Driving licence and use of a vehicle are essential.

 Impact of your role

·         Improve the well-being of individuals and families experiencing crisis

·         Support clients in achieving long-term, sustainable solutions

·         Strengthen the reach and impact of the Isle of Wight Foodbank

 Support

You will receive internal training and ongoing support. Regular supervision will take place monthly with the Foodbank Manager, alongside regular peer supervision. A formal annual appraisal will also be conducted.