Personal Assistant – Social & Community Support

Personal Assistant – Social & Community Support - Bristol - BS48

8 hours per week

I am looking for a friendly, patient and reliable Personal Assistant to support me for approximately 8 hours per week, with a particular focus on developing and maintaining my social, communication and independence skills.

This is not simply a companionship role. A key purpose of the position is to support me to build confidence, improve my social and communication skills and become increasingly independent when taking part in social activities and accessing the community.

The Role

The 8 hours will generally be used to support me to attend bingo sessions, social groups and other community activities.

One regular commitment will be the Diverse Quiz Night at Toto Bar in Bristol, held on the second Tuesday evening of each month. Availability for this evening will therefore be particularly important.

The role will include supporting me to:

• Develop and maintain appropriate social and communication skills.
• Understand how to communicate appropriately in different situations.
• Recognise social cues, boundaries and expectations.
• Build confidence when meeting and talking to other people.
• Develop and maintain friendships and social connections.
• Manage unfamiliar, busy or challenging social environments.
• Attend bingo, groups, quizzes and other social activities.
• Try new activities and become more involved within my community.
• Develop greater independence so that, where possible, I can increasingly manage social situations myself.
• Make my own choices and decisions, with appropriate support when needed.

I am looking for somebody who understands the importance of encouraging me to do things for myself rather than automatically doing things for me.

Football & Occasional Trips

I am also a keen Newcastle United supporter, and there may occasionally be opportunities for the PA to accompany and support me on trips to Newcastle to attend football matches.

Because of this, weekend flexibility is important, and an interest in football would be a significant advantage.

These trips may involve long days and potentially overnight stays, so this is something applicants should be comfortable with.

The Person I Am Looking For

Ideally, you will:

• Have experience supporting autistic people or a good understanding of autism.
• Understand how autism can affect social interaction and communication.
• Be patient and able to explain situations clearly without being judgemental or patronising.
• Be confident encouraging someone to develop new social and communication skills.
• Know when to offer support and when to step back and allow independence.
• Be comfortable attending social venues, groups, bingo, quizzes and football matches.
• Have good communication and listening skills.
• Be reliable, trustworthy and respectful.
• Have a good sense of humour and be comfortable having a laugh while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Be flexible regarding evenings and weekends.
• Ideally have an interest in football.

Hours

8 hours per week.

Hours will be reasonably flexible and arranged around planned activities.

The hours will generally be used for bingo, social groups and community activities, with some evening and weekend work.

Regular availability on the second Tuesday evening of each month is particularly important for the Diverse Quiz Night at Toto Bar in Bristol.

Occasional additional flexibility may be required for trips to Newcastle and other activities.

Purpose of the Role

Ultimately, I am looking for someone who can work with me rather than simply for me .

The aim is to help me develop my confidence, communication and social skills while supporting me to have an active social life and become increasingly independent within my community.

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