Applications and Administration Officer

ABOUT US

WaveLength is proud to be the UK’s leading charity focusing on loneliness and social isolation. We work across the UK in local communities to reduce loneliness, by gifting radios, TVs and tablet computers to those in need. We receive no government funding and rely solely upon public donations and grants.

Research estimates that over 9 million in the UK are lonely at any given time. For people who are lonely, a simple radio or television can feel like a lifeline. We gift media technology to lonely people living in poverty, as we believe that one of the best solutions is for people to connect with each other and spend time together.

We help people who have become lonely through lots of different circumstances. These include: The death of a loved one, Illness or injury, Mental and physical impairments, Homelessness, Domestic Abuse, Becoming a refugee, Moving away from family or friends, Financial hardship.

We also support groups of people within organisations; gifting TVs, radios and
tablet computers to groups like hostels, refuges and community centres. Our beneficiaries report that technology helps them to feel happier, less lonely and more connected to the outside world.

“I now spend more time in the communal activity room with other residents and staff. The TV has opened new conversations and helped me make friends.”

“The radio has been a wonderful companion. I have it on during the day and throughout the night. It really has become my best friend. Thank you so much WaveLength!”

OUR IMPACT

We support those in need through our group and individual application process. We work UK-wide through a network of partners on the ground, allowing us to deliver a tailored approach to meet peoples’ needs. We work with over 25,000 beneficiaries a year.

Some examples of our recent impact include:

WaveLength Radios for the over 70s - our response to Covid-19

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic demand for our services grew exponentially. In March 2020 we launched a radio distribution scheme for the over 70s who were vulnerable and self-isolating. The purpose of the scheme was to relieve loneliness and isolation during the first lockdown and to help the over-70s feel more connected to the outside world.

It is a common misconception that every home has a radio. However, within the first few hours of the launch of our scheme, it became evident that this is not the case. The day after the launch, WaveLength had over 90,000 people visit the website and, by day two, we had received over 9,000 applications. WaveLength was able to help over 5,000 people through the Radio Scheme.

TV licences in domestic abuse refuges

Over the years, lots of refuges have told us that the TV licensing rules were confusing. Some had heard conflicting advice about whether they needed a licence or not. We wanted to help, because we know how much a simple television can help survivors living in refuges. Arriving in a refuge is part of a very scary and unsettling experience. Watching a favourite TV show or bonding with other survivors over a film can make all the difference.

We approached the BBC and asked them to change the licensing rules for refuges. We were delighted by Tony Hall’s enthusiastic response to our request, and worked with the BBC to get the policy change right. The new policy means that a licence will cover all televisions in a refuge.

OUR MISSION & VALUES

Our Mission

To bring companionship, comfort, and contact to people who are lonely and isolated, and in need of financial and practical support.

To enable them to participate in and engage with the world through technology.

To give them a voice, to champion their cause, to represent them at a national and local level, and to challenge the root causes of loneliness and isolation.

Our Mission is supported by our shared values, against which we monitor our priorities and define new areas of work. These are:

Responsive and innovative. We seek to not only respond to, but plan for, the circumstances of loneliness and isolation in order to tackle them.

Focus. Our recipients, current and future, are at the centre of all we do.

Being effective and efficient. We deliver services that are effective and efficient, in a dignified, compassionate, approachable way that adds value to funding entrusted to us.

Championing imagination. We are imaginative and innovative, finding solutions for those most in need but least able to afford changes.

Fostering positive change. We seek to develop and inspire positive change through giving.

Representing and amplifying. We aim to use our knowledge and influence to represent, amplify and give voice to the needs of current and future beneficiaries.

We are looking for someone who will not only take on our mission but find ways of delivering it through our shared values.

STRATEGIC AIMS

Undoubtedly, the Covid-19 pandemic has placed new emphasis and new demands upon WaveLength. Loneliness is not only receiving more attention but also some misunderstanding regarding what interventions are effective and why. Therefore, WaveLength needs to help guide the debate around loneliness, respond to the present increase in need, and continue to evaluate and disseminate its findings. To help deliver these changes we aim to establish a Foundation for Loneliness to drive longer term donations to the charity, research, and combating loneliness initiatives.

Our current strategic aims include:

To develop a Foundation for Loneliness

To continue grant giving to people through our group and individual applications

To continue to monitor and measure the impact of our work and use our delivery network and partners to reach people in need throughout the UK

To collaborate on research and develop co-produced bids to inform the direction of our work

To develop corporate partnerships across TV, media, radio, and the tech industry and obtain funding for our work

To make the work of WaveLength a household name

To increase individual and online giving

To influence government, funders, and policymakers

To be responsive to the needs of our beneficiaries

To focus on developing conferences and podcasting

To support approaches to loneliness at local and government level

To tap in to funding partnerships and other opportunities across the UK

To provide ethical guidance for those not eligible for our help

To re-establish the ‘Digital Equality Group’ to look at connectivity, data, and connectivity equality in contrast to the data poverty/training agenda

BACKGROUND TO THE JOB

This multifaceted position is designed to support the administration of grants, handle various office administration tasks, process social data, and assist the CEO, contributing significantly to the operational efficiency and impact of the organisation.

JOB & TERMS

Qualities:

Ability to absorb detailed information quickly and help present thsi in writting e.g from a background in research or a complex administrative environment

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

IT literate with a great understanding of office software and social media platforms

An excellent attention to detail with the ability to focus on multiple tasks And the ability to summarise written information quickly into verbal reports

A team player with a professional approach and an understanding of the ongoing requirements of a role supporting a Chief Executive.

Excellent Organisation and timekeeping skills

Duties will include:

APPLICATIONS & DATABASE
• Processing applications made
• Liaising with applicants
• Purchasing equipment and arranging delivery to beneficiaries
• Administration of Feedback Forms
• Application data input onto database
• Ensuring efficient execution of the impact measurement process
• Recipient records filing
• Analysing data and compiling reports for Management Team
• Liaising with external suppliers, regarding database, where necessary

PURCHASING
• Sourcing and quote gathering • Ordering
• Supplier liaisons

ADMINISTRATION
• Providing admin support for Chief Executive
• Compiling and preparating papers for Board Meetings
• Collating and inputting data onto the Quarterly Board Report • Timely distribution of papers
• Booking meeting room and refreshments
• Booking meetings with Trustees
• Trustee liaison regarding meeting related queries
• Minute taking and distribution
• Assisting with distribution of Publications/Newsletters

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES • Answering phones
• Inbox management
• Post management

• Ensuring smooth running of office

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
• Previous experience of charities
• Well organised
• Ability to communicate well, on all levels
• Good sense of initiative
• Comfortable working alone
• Confidence to approach potential bodies/organisation

Daily and Ongoing using Zoom, FaceTime & Face-to-Face:

CHANGES TO THE JOB

This job description is not restrictive and needs to be flexible to cope with the changing needs of charity . It should be taken as the current representation and consequently will be subject to review no less than annually.

TERMS

Position: Applications & Administration Officer
Reporting to: CEO
Salary and benefits: £25,000-27,000 per annum, 25 days annual leave + bank holidays Contract type: Full time, permanent
Hours: 9am-5pm

Location: Cambridge office