Job Details:
Freedom Project Coordinator

Job Description

The Freedom Project Coordinator plays a key role in supporting people to rebuild their lives through Mustard Tree’s Freedom Project. Based in either Manchester or Salford, this role ensures that Freedom trainees receive a high-quality, structured, and person-centred journey, helping them gain confidence, skills, and access to opportunities in employment, education, and wellbeing.

Through effective case management, coordination of referrals, and delivery of one-to-one support, they will ensure that every trainee is engaged, supported, and empowered to progress. They will collaborate with colleagues, volunteers, and external partners to provide a safe, inclusive, and impactful experience, fostering a sense of community and purpose within the Freedom Project.

With a strong focus on stewardship, safeguarding, and service development, they will manage key project milestones, such as inductions, Open Days, and Graduations, while also contributing to data reporting, impact measurement, and continuous improvement of Mustard Tree’s approach to supporting people facing poverty, homelessness, and social isolation.

Freedom Project Duties:

• Stewardship of a high-quality journey through Mustard Tree for each client
• Provide advice and emergency support to visitors
• Triaging referrals onto the project and response to enquiries
• Manage the delivery of Open Day and Graduation events for Freedom volunteers
• Conduct initial meetings and enrol Freedom trainees onto the project including risk assessments and documentation
• Working with the team to develop and deliver the induction process of new Freedom trainees
• Manage a caseload, schedule diary and deliver up to 20 x 121 sessions per week
• Managing the rota of Freedom volunteers, arranging for calls to be made to people who haven’t turned up
• Provide telephone updates as well as face to face sessions
• Attend face to face sessions to promote the Freedom Project, steward referrals in and out of Freedom project for training
• Complete monthly case studies exemplifying the work and impact of the programme
• Support with the development of focus groups to understand the needs of service users
• Carry out administrative tasks associated with role, keeping paper work and reporting up to date
• Ensure Tree Salt data base is used as a live platform, in preparation for monthly data audits
• Guarantee that all trainees are met with each month, for review and welfare checks
• Attend monthly case management with the Freedom team (to be delivered by Service Manager)
• Maintain clear communication with all team, communicating events and training opportunities
• Work with the wider team to develop and deliver the induction process of new Freedom trainees
• Coordinate referrals and liaise with external agencies and colleagues to provide pathways into the Freedom Project, employment, education and training
• Understand/contribute to safeguarding and risk management using incident and safeguarding forms, incident tracker, attending annual training and escalating concerns to the management
• Ensure effective discharges including person-centred Progression Plans, informed and helpful feedback/references and monitoring next steps as Freedom graduates leave the programme
• Attend training, research and keep up to date with relevant legislation and local provision of statutory services including housing, mental health, domestic violence, benefits and budgeting
• Work to an evidence-informed model of support including Motivational Interviewing through training, external supervision and peer support
• Establish and maintain working relationships and pathways with local statutory agencies, charities and other 3rd sector organisations

Support Services:

• Signpost clients onto appropriate agencies, create profile of key contacts and support trainees in areas such as housing
• Manage conflict by maintaining a calm, courteous and professional manner when dealing with difficult situations
• Coordinate training and education sessions for Freedom trainees within Mustard Tree
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local employers and job centres, encouraging their support of the Freedom Project through placements and training

Partnership and External Contracts:

• Ensure all contracts are upheld and targets are delivered, new starters, training outcomes, work placements and employment outcomes
• Attend partnership meetings on monthly basis to represent the charity and promote Mustard Tree services.
• Record and report monthly outcomes internally and externally

Internal Partnership:

• Maintain clear communication with the other Services teams
• Establish pathways through Mustard Tree into employment, education, and training
• Co-ordinate referrals and liaise with external agencies and colleagues
• Create a profile of key contacts to offer holistic support to individuals, including landlords and accommodation providers
• Provide practical relief cover for workstreams

General Work Duties:

• Work within health & safety guidelines and Mustard Tree policies and procedures
• Supporting other staff and departments and providing practical relief cover for workstreams
• Take responsibility for professional development, attending training courses as required
• Leading by example, embodying Mustard Tree values and represent the charity as required
• Contribute towards being an environmentally responsible organisation as part of day to day activities including recycling and supporting ‘paper-lite’ practices
• Other tasks and duties relevant to the role as required by the organisation

• Learning and development
• Free lunch
• Wellbeing support package with Smart Clinic, including 24-hour helpline
• 25 days holiday (plus extra holiday on your birthday)
• Defined contribution pension scheme