What is our project?

The Cellar Coffee Bar is based in the cellar under the main church of Bridgwater Baptist Church and has been created as part of the Energise Project completed in spring 2023. It seeks to fulfil the wellbeing aims of the wider regeneration of the premises which Energise summarised as: * energise the building with new purpose and renewal  * energise wellbeing personally, economically and socially * energise faith and mission  This is achieved through creating a welcoming supportive environment for the wider community and with specific ministries created for different ages and interest groups. We operate the coffee bar with full affiliation to the Renew Wellbeing network of spaces where it’s OK not to be OK. General outline of the project can be seen on the Energise Page of the church website at www.bridgwaterbaptist.co.uk

We anticipate the coffee bar, in time, becoming self-financing from revenue of those visiting the coffee bar and outside groups hiring the space for community activities and courses.

The nature of the refreshments served will be developed over time in consultation with the needs of those attending and the support of the Cellar Management Team (a small group appointed by Bridgwater Baptist Church and Alive Christian Ministries to help support the work in the cellar). Initially it is limited to simple drinks and snacks, however we have purposefully included a kitchen in the cellar to allow for development in what is offered for sale.

The Cellar is a growing vision as individuals and groups from the community tell us their ideas particularly developing the wellbeing nature of the vision and the connection with the rhythm of prayer (we have a prayer/quiet room in the cellar for personal and shared prayer).

We will welcome everyone, regardless of creed, race or gender. Anyone can hire The Cellar, in accordance with equal opportunities legislation, and the values and ethos of our Christian basis. Within that ethos is a commitment to incarnational evangelism. The Cellar bar is staffed through a combination of volunteers overseen by the part time Project Worker. The Cellar Coffee Bar is a community ministry of Bridgwater Baptist Church. Registered charity no’ 1194817

Cellar Project Worker – Job Description

Job Title: Cellar Project Worker

Hours Per Week: 16 hours per week to be worked flexibly depending on what days and times are most helpful and effective. The Coffee Bar is currently open to the public on Monday, Tuesday and Friday 10.00 – 14.00, it is also let to various organisations at other times.

Pay: £10.42 per hour (National Living wage).

Job Purpose: The post holder is supported by a Management Team and reports to a member of this team. To oversee the daily activities at The Coffee Bar, being responsible for operational and financial matters and managing bookings. The Project Worker will provide creative and innovative input in order for The Cellar to realise its full potential.

This post is part of the community ministry of Bridgwater Baptist Church and there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement (G.O.R.) that the person taking up this position is a committed Christian, regularly worshipping and involved in a local church where they have been for at least one year.

Duties and responsibilities :

• To maintain and manage a volunteer team to run the coffee bars, negotiate and co-ordinate groups and organisations using the premises.

• To maintain systems and procedures for all working and hiring the cellar

• Good interpersonal skills in relating to the public and volunteers.

• Good I.T. skills: email, Word and ideally Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and Facebook. A knowledge of Loyverse and Sum Up would be helpful, but training will be given.

• First Aid and Kitchen Hygiene certificate desirable, but training provided if necessary.

• To cash up the till and keep basic accounts.

• Some cleaning, as required according to availability of volunteers.

• To be responsible for opening and closing procedures.

Such other duties as may be required to meet the changing demands at The Cellar with encouragement to be creative and innovative. Some flexibility required.

Holidays at 5.6 weeks pro-rata (including public holidays). The project worker will need to liaise with the line manager in planning holiday.

     Statutory Sick Pay and Statutory Maternity/Paternity/Adoption pay will apply. There is an initial three-month probationary period.

 Academic qualifications:

No formal educational qualifications are specified, however good basic levels of English, Maths and I.T. skills are required. This post is subject to satisfactory references and a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check for security.

Who are the beneficiaries and what do they get out of this project?

Based in the centre of Bridgwater, Somerset. The county as a whole is considered to be a deprived area with social deprivation being high. Due to the Coffee Bar's location it is well placed to seek to help promote community cohesion and wellbeing. Our building is within walking distance of Hamp, Sydenham, Eastover and Newtown, together with the Town Centre, all of which are in the top 20% in the Country, for social deprivation . Sedgemoor of which Bridgwater is the main town is ranked 178/406 in the areas of worst over-indebtedness. (Somerset Intelligence Data).

The Cellar has been created to be a light modern space, accessed by stairs to the right of the main church building and benefits from a disabled platform lift for those with mobility issues (accessed via the main church lobby). 

Opening for the general public as well as age and interest group based sessions the Cellar has the potential to make a significant impact to a wide range of ages and backgrounds in our community.

Who is managing the project and why?

Bridgwater Baptist Church aims to be an all inclusive force for community benefit and has been part of the local community for around 400 years. Our Mission Statement is “A Christian Heart in the Heart of the Community”.

 The Cellar Coffee Bar is just the latest initiative seeking to reach out with the good news to our town in a culturally sensitive and supportive way. The management of the Cellar is through a small group set aside to give guidance, development, encouragement, and accountability.

Specific Responsibilities of Project Worker:

• This visionary leader will help to identify needs and drive development.

• To lead and support a team of volunteers and to provide a quality service for all using the coffee bar.

• To provide a warm and safe environment for all attending the Cellar with opportunities for activities that will enhance their physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing (utilising the Renew Wellbeing resources and other initiatives as developments occur)

• To oversee The Cellar’s compliance with all Bridgwater Baptist Church policies, including Safeguarding,

Health and Safety, GDPR, Risk Assessments, statutory regulations etc (training will be given as needed).

• To oversee the office administration and record keeping tasks.

• To oversee volunteer’s wellbeing and offer pastoral support to volunteers and customers as required.

• Spending time getting to know customers.

• Ability to effectively lead the sessional prayer focus/Bible study/church information session.

• To present progress reports to the church as required.

• To lead training of new volunteers (materials to be shared responsibility with Management Team).

• To work with the Management Team to seek new funding/revenue possibilities to assist in the Cellar becoming self-financing.

The post holder will be expected to develop and maintain good working relationships at all times with service users, funders, suppliers and colleagues. In addition they will be an active participant in the wider church and community’s network of wellbeing initiatives and activities, building collaborative working where possible.         

The successful candidate will be employed by Bridgwater Baptist Church and managed by The Cellar Management Team on behalf of Bridgwater Baptist Church, adhering to the Church’s policies and procedures.

The post holder will be expected to participate in an annual appraisal with their line-manger, and in ongoing evaluation of the project’s work with The Management Team.

Application process:

To make further enquiries, or to make your application please send a letter and CV to:

Jenny Forrest

Bridgwater Baptist Church

St Mary Street

Bridgwater

Somerset

TA6 3EQ

Or by email to: info@bridgwaterbaptist.co.uk

Your letter should explain why you feel suited to the job of Cellar Project Worker and how you understand our vision for this project. Please also include a personal CV and give the names, addresses and contact details of two

referees (one must be your Church leader, and one an employer, or if this is not possible it must be someone

who knows you well in a work, paid or voluntary capacity).

We will only contact your referees should the position be offered to you. An offer of appointment will only be confirmed after satisfactory references have been received. As stated above, the position is subject to a satisfactory DBS disclosure.

The closing date for applications is 21st February 2024.

Interviews will be held on the afternoon : TBA

 Starting date to be agreed, depending on circumstances. 

Data Protection Privacy Notice

Under Data Protection legislation Bridgwater Baptist Church C.I.O is the church Data Controller and can be contacted by ringing 01278 425356 or emailing info@bridgwaterbaptist.co.uk  We are collecting this information to enable us to enter into a contract of employment with you. If you are unable to provide this information then we will be unable to enter into that contract. The information you supply in this form will be:

·          Held on the church office computer which is password protected and accessed only by the Minister, Church Secretary & Church Administrator.

·          Destroyed six years after you leave our employment or six months if you were unsuccessful in an application for a role with us.

We will be undertaking performance appraisals as part of your employment and copies of the reports from these (along with all documents supplied as part of your application) will be kept in a password protected section of our church computer which can only be accessed by your Line Manager. If appropriate, information from these documents may be shared with other charity Trustees but will NOT be shared with anyone else without your consent.

You have the right to ask to see any information we hold about you by submitting a ‘Subject Access Request’ to the Church Data Protection Trustee. You also have the right to ask for information which you believe to be incorrect to be rectified.

If you are concerned about the way your information is being handled please speak to our Data Protection Officer.  If you are still unhappy you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office.