About Simon Community Scotland

Simon Community Scotland is the largest provider of homelessness services in Scotland.

Our vision is for everyone to have a safe place to live with access to the support they need. Every day we help make positive things happen for people facing extremely difficult circumstances.

Everything we do is about and for people: the people we support, our staff, our partners and everyone affected by homelessness.

Our values are built into every area of activity and tell the story of how people remain at the heart of the Simon Community.

Job Summary

The Simon Community is Scotland's leading homeless charity. We are creative and innovative. We get things done with care and compassion that make a difference to our community, being true to our values. We are a community of staff, volunteers and the people that we support.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about changing expectations and experiences of people we support, many of whom have experienced significant trauma, exclusion and stigma. They often engage in risk taking behaviours that put their physical and mental health, and their lives at risk. Despite the challenges they face they have incredible resilience, survival skills and a wicked sense of humour. They know what a good, and not so good service looks like.

Within this exciting new role, you will be supporting women at risk of, or experiencing homelessness. This role will connect and support women throughout Scotland who are affected by gambling. Aila is a new website that has been created for women who are experiencing harm from gambling. The role will involve developing and hosting spaces where women can gain access to trauma-informed support, conversations and better understanding the harms linked with gambling. This role will involve working directly with women to create safe spaces while fostering connections. We welcome women who have experienced gambling harm or have been affected by someone else's gambling to apply.

Job Purpose

Within a team of skilled practitioners, this role will:

Create psychologically safe spaces where women feel comfortable connecting, learning, and being empowered to help grow the project through co-design and engagement.

Provide progressive support and care that goes beyond traditional approaches, reimagining what services for women can offer.

Support a culture which encourages leadership through empowerment and dynamic risk-informed decision-making.

Work using a human-rights-based approach to ensure women have their rights upheld. Support women to activate their rights, upskill, access advocacy services and pathways, and address systemic barriers.

Key Responsibilities

Coordinate and facilitate monthly in-person gatherings to support women affected by gambling harm throughout Scotland and uphold a welcoming and inclusive environment that will ensure psychological and physical safety for women.

Plan events, communicate with relevant collaborators, and deliver group-work.

Develop partnerships, both internally and with external community organisations to raise awareness of gambling harm and encourage learning.

Plan events, coordinate and deliver group-work

Deliver practical support and interventions related to gambling harm, mental health, substance use and overall well-being for women to ensure they can achieve the best outcomes.

Develop honest and open relationships with our community that foster trust and grow the lived experience voice of women in Scotland.

Engage with a team of staff to coordinate and promote attendance at gatherings.

Advocate for women's rights and access to services within the community. Provide information, referrals, and support connecting women with appropriate community resources and services.

Use our training and reflective practice to develop additional skills to support and respond appropriately to our community who have experienced trauma.

Champion best practice in providing support to women through a trauma-informed lens. Engage in ongoing professional development activities to enhance skills and knowledge relevant to the role.

Create physical and digital resources to support the development of Aila and in-person gatherings.

Work with people in our community with a wide range of experiences and cultural backgrounds with dignity, respect and kindness.

Person Specification

Personal Specification: Training and Qualifications:

Essential - SSSC recognised practice qualification, SVQ Level 3, or willing to work toward. Demonstrable experience of working in a similar role.

Desirable - Qualification in Community Education, Psychology or related fields. Naloxone trained, Mental Health First Aid trained, ASIST trained.

Personal Specification: Experience:

Essential- Experience in providing support to people with a range of challenges including homelessness, gambling harm, mental health or substance use. Experience in coordinating events and delivering group-work. Experience in development work or working within community learning.

Desirable- Experience in providing trauma-informed care. We welcome women who have experienced gambling harm themselves or have been affected by someone else's gambling to apply.

Personal Specification: Knowledge and Skills:

Knowledge and understanding of homelessness, gambling harm, substance use and mental health.

Knowledge and understanding of advocacy and how to adopt a rights-based approach in practice.

Evidence of good communication skills: written, verbal and digital.

Experience of facilitating group work, organising training or planning events.

Understanding of the barriers women experience in accessing support.

Experience working with people with a variety of individual and cultural beliefs.

Ability to use empathy and relational skills to build positive relationships with our community and colleagues.

Personal Specification: Personal:

This is a gender specific role and we welcome women to apply.

As this is a facilitator role we welcome women who have experienced gambling harm themselves or have been affected by someone else’s gambling (this can include friends or family) to apply.

Creative thinker who enjoys thinking outside the box and thrives in a changing environment.

A desire to learn and to develop innovative practice.

Honest, ethical and keen to overcome obstacles.

Flexible, responsive.

Enjoy working on your own initiative.