We are looking for our first team member to work with us on a freelance basis for 10 hours per week, initially for a period of one year! 

The House of Hope will exist to help people in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas. The centre will be a haven away from the outside world where those who are impacted by breast cancer can be who they need to be in a safe space, whilst offering connectivity, support, and friendship.

Cancer is hard and takes its toll on you and those around you. We aim to nurture, improve the quality of life, and enrich the emotional wellbeing of our users by offering sanctuary and support within a home-like environment at a time when they need it most. 

You are more than a diagnosis. The service will be designed to be person centred with the voice of the patients and their families at the heart of The House. 

 The Role:

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team at the start of this project for our small and growing charity. 

We have an experienced and passionate board of trustees, working alongside an active network of volunteers. You will report to the Chief Executive Officer and will work closely with our trustees and patient volunteers.

The role will initially be focused creating our Patient Support Programme and the event management of our inaugural Scottish breast cancer wellbeing event. From sourcing a venue to liaising with speakers and pulling together an engaging programme, you will need to be a self-starter who is passionate about supporting those impacted by breast cancer. 

Signposting and working in partnership with organisations across Scotland who can provide services of benefit to our user group will play another key part in this role. You will support the CEO and trustees with building relationships both across the Scottish cancer network and with potential service providers. We also want to work to increase our networks with health professionals, to help them support their patients. 

Within The House of Hope and digitally we will provide information and support for those with breast cancer via a direct patient support service. You will help to establish and sustain support groups for breast cancer patients and their families, provide information about breast cancer to patients and major centres of breast cancer treatment, run events (both online and face to face).  

You will work remotely initially until we move into the premises, however very much working as part of the small team, and working closely with the CEO, trustees, and volunteers, with regular catch-up meetings in person. 

This is a role that will allow you do use your skillset to work with us to develop and open The House of Hope Scotland. The CEO, trustees, founders and wider team will support you at every stage. 

Key Responsibilities:

Networking

  • Contact point for Hospitals/Breast Cancer Units/Cancer Centres. Making them aware of The House of Hope and maintaining a relationship. 

  • Building contacts with specialist breast cancer nurses, making them aware of The House of Hope. 

  • Maintaining up-to-date contact database: including Scottish breast cancer departments, cancer centres, regional cancer networks etc. 

  • Regional contacts with other charities – to build local networks.

  • Co-ordinating periodic mailings of The House of Hope patient information materials to hospitals/cancer centres

Events

  • Organising and attending the inaugural House of Hope patient wellbeing event. 

  • Occasional attendance at/involvement with regional cancer events, health professional and/or patient or well-being events (including taking a House of Hope stand to such events);

  • You will also be required to present at events on occasion – both online and face to face;

  • Organising, development of (with colleagues) and participation in The House of Hope online patient events and face to face events.

Support Groups

  • Working with the CEO, trustees, and patient volunteers to create and develop the support and wellbeing programme for The House of Hope. 

Patient Materials

  • Working with the CEO and trustees on the development of patient information materials both online and in print.

Communications

  • Social media: working as part of the team on increasing social media presence.


This job description defines the main areas of work, although as we are a small organisation and are also developing new activities, you may be asked to help with other areas of our work from time to time.

Application Process

CV and cover letter explaining why you think you are the best person for this role.

Submission Email: lisa@houseofhope.org.uk 

Closing date: 1st July 2024