Advice jobs in shooters hill, greater london
We're looking for a confident and compassionate Co-Director to lead our mental health charity using gardens, creativity & community for recovery.
**We offer mentoring support for applicants who might benefit from additional guidance - please see the full Job Description for further details**
About Sydenham Garden
Based in Lewisham in South-East London, Sydenham Garden is a unique wellbeing centre utilising its gardens, nature reserve and activity rooms to help people living with and recovering from mental and physical ill-health. We provide nature and arts based creative, social and therapeutic activities for co-workers (the name we give to our primary beneficiaries).
About the role
Our Director has been in post since November 2021 and on returning from maternity leave in January 2026 she will be working 3 days a week. We are seeking a Co-Director to jointly lead the organisation going forwards as we have made a positive decision to move towards a co-director model. This is an exciting opportunity which can have benefits of increasing capacity, efficiency, and transparency and allow for a broader range of identities both to better reflect the diverse populations they serve and as a way to include more diverse leaders. It is a model that can also reduce burnout, build equity, and support flexible working.
As Co-Director you will be jointly responsible for leading and manage the day-to-day running of Sydenham Garden for the benefit of our co-workers. This will involve overseeing implementation and regular review of Sydenham Garden’s strategic plan and to ensure all governance arrangements are in place to monitor the work of the organisation and to report to the Board of Trustees and to funders.
You will ensure fundraising and financial plans and processes are in place to deliver the agreed services, including fundraising from Trusts & Foundations, community fundraising and developing contracted services as necessary.
The Co-Directors will be jointly accountable to the Trustee Board for all aspects of the job description. You may take lead responsibility on particular areas which will be discussed and agreed with the existing Co-Director and Trustee Board.
About You
You are a confident and compassionate leader with a commitment to the mental health and wellbeing sector. You bring a thoughtful, strategic and inclusive approach to leadership.
Your communication skills are excellent, and you’re able to build strong, trusting relationships with colleagues at all levels, as well as with external partners, funders, and stakeholders. You are deeply committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, with a clear track record of putting these values into practice.
You have a proven experience in securing income for charitable work and are confident in financial management and planning.
You also understand the value of co-production and have experience working collaboratively with volunteers and co-workers (service users), ensuring their voices are central to service design and delivery.
We’re looking for someone who is dedicated to the mission of Sydenham Garden and has relevant experience at management level in a mental health charity of similar organisation.
How to apply
Candidates will be shortlisted based on:
· Experience of working at a management level in a mental health charity or comparable organisation.
· An excellent strategic thinker with experience of input into strategic development and implementation.
· Good communication skills and the ability to build relationships with colleagues at all levels in an organisation and with external contacts and partners.
· A proven commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
· Experience of line managing and developing staff, including through appraisal systems.
· Proven ability to secure income, manage fundraising processes and to manage and produce fundraising applications.
· Experience of financial management and planning, including managing budgets.
· Experience of working with volunteers and co-workers (service users).
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Sydenham Garden is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). We want to build a diverse and inclusive staff, volunteer and trustee team where everyone feels that they belong and that reflects the profile of the communities we serve. Therefore, we will welcome and consider applications from candidates of all backgrounds and protected characteristics, and we particularly encourage applications from people of African or Caribbean heritage to ensure our staff team represents the communities we serve.
To apply, please send us a CV together with a supporting statement (maximum 2 pages, minimum font size of 11) that addresses how you meet the Person Specification listed above.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
The vacancy
We are seeking to appoint one lay member to sit on our GOC Council.
About the GOC
We are the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Our purpose is to protect the public by promoting high standards of education, performance and conduct. For more information about us please visit our website:optical. org.
About the Council
The role of Council is to lead on the GOC’s mission to protect the public by upholding high standards in eye care services. The Council is composed of six lay members (including the Chair) and six registrant members (i.e. registered optometrists and dispensing opticians). At least one member of the Council must work wholly or mainly in each of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. One Council member acts as a Senior Council Member whose role is to carry out the Chair’s appraisal as well as provide a sounding board for the Chair and serve as an intermediary for Council members, Executive and stakeholders as necessary.
The successful candidate will contribute to Council by exercising oversight, ensuring effective corporate governance, and making high-level policy decisions. They will be able to operate strategically and impartially; listen, communicate, and influence effectively; exercise judgment; and inspire confidence and support amongst our stakeholders.
Remuneration and time commitment
Council members are remunerated in accordance with our member fees policy (£13,962 per annum plus reasonable travel and subsistence expenses). The member fee includes time for reading and preparation.
The appointed member will be expected to commit approximately 2-3 days per month. Meetings will usually take place via MS Teams but may on occasion be held at the GOC Offices at Level 29, One Canada Square, London, E14 5AA. There are occasional online catch-up meetings - these are currently scheduled on a Tuesday evening every 6-8 weeks, from 5.30pm – 6.30pm.
How to apply:
Please email the the following to appointment@optical. org
· your CV outlining your employment history, any relevant voluntary work, public service or other experience; together with any relevant professional, academic or vocational qualifications;
· the application form, stating how your experience matches the criteria for the vacancy you are applying for; and
· complete the EDI monitoring form linked in the candidate pack (this is an online form and does not need to be included in the email with your CV and application form).
APPLICATION DEADLINE: midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Online interviews will be held on between Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 October 2025.
If you have any questions, please email them to appointment@optical. org and we will aim to respond to you within 48 hours.
We welcome applications from individuals who are disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds as these are currently under-represented on our council and committees.
We strive to be as diverse as the public we protect and welcome applications from everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity and geographical locations outside of London.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
You will be part of a small team that works collaboratively towards making a huge impact on the lives of the children and families we work with. We look for people who want to be part of a service that is innovative, creative and constantly striving to do better.
We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Adoption Service Coordinator and Panel Administrator to support the effective delivery of adoption services. This pivotal role ensures smooth coordination of assessments, panel meetings, and administrative tasks across the Permanency Service. You will act as a key point of contact between professionals, adoptive families, and external agencies, ensuring efficient communication and compliance with regulatory standards. The successful candidate will possess exceptional attention to detail, excellent time management skills, and the ability to work in a sensitive and dynamic environment
You will be involved in the development of the service and your views, and insights are encouraged.
· Coordinate diaries and communication across the Permanency Service team.
· Manage and log adoption enquiries; maintain records in Beacon CRM and CHARMS.
· Support adoption assessments, events, and i-adopt marketing updates.
· Organise Adoption Panel meetings, including scheduling and report preparation.
· Take and finalise panel meeting minutes; ensure timely decisions and notifications.
· Maintain panel member records, training logs, and meeting attendance.
· Update web content, brochures, and social media with adoption recruitment materials.
· Collect and share feedback for service improvement and performance reporting.
You will have regular informal guidance and formal supervision on a monthly basis. You will be part of the wider service of Family Futures and attend monthly Team Days to learn, share and develop the service and your practice.
We are looking for an individual who is:
- Motivated to work with families and derive satisfaction from seeing the development of adopters
- Not fazed by complex needs, challenges, and adversity
- Embraces a parent-positive and child friendly approach
- Able to work in a small team and be a team player
- Wants to develop their knowledge base and interest in multi-disciplinary working through a therapeutic lens.
- Thrives in a collaborative and integrated team environment.
What we offer
Benefits of joining Family Futures
· High-quality supervision and professional development training.
· We run regular Learning Forums to support and learn from each other
· An empowering and encouraging environment
· A nurturing environment for staff to work, including a weekly self-care session.
We believe that embracing different perspectives enriches our agency's culture and strengthens our ability to serve the children and families we work with. Therefore, we welcome applications from candidates from a wide range of lived experience and are actively recruiting people from the global majority. By ‘global majority’, we mean Black African, Black Caribbean, Asian and dual heritage communities.
We are an equal opportunities employer and committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce. We encourage applications from suitably qualified applicants regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Family Futures is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. The organisation follows safer recruitment practices to protect children and adults at risk of harm and will require the successful applicant to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure.
Family Futures is a menopause friendly employer.
Thank you!
Location: You can be based near one of the following office locations - Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, or Newcastle.
We operate a hybrid model of work i.e. a combination of in-person and remote, with flexible days in the office depending on business need and your preferences. We would typically expect in-office attendance an average of one day per week.
Your office is where you will usually attend in-person events, training sessions etc. though some travel, to other offices and other locations, will occasionally be expected.
Hours: We are looking for the right candidate and while we envisage this being a full-time role (37.5 hours per week) we are very open to flexible working arrangements such as part-time, compressed hours and/or flexitime.
Occasional/frequent evening or weekend work may be required, for which time off in lieu (TOIL) will be given.
Ideal start date: ASAP, as agreed with candidate
Purpose of the Role:
As a key leader within our Partnerships and Income Development team, you will be responsible for creating, developing and delivering the Social Mobility Foundation’s Employer Programme – how we inform, influence and positively impact employer-led social mobility, and a source of income generation.
Reporting to the Head of Partnerships and Income Development, you’ll be the custodian of the Social Mobility Employer Index (SMEI) – our annual benchmarking and assessment tool for how UK employers recruit, retain and develop talent from all socioeconomic backgrounds and build inclusive workplaces. You'll have full product ownership, managing the delivery lifecycle from end-to-end: from marketing, to pipeline development and entrant submissions, data analysis, reporting and evaluation, as well as ongoing development and improvement.
In addition, by collaborating with existing partners who offer pro-bono consultancy, you’ll scope, develop and deliver new products, resources and services that equip employers with the knowledge and practical tools to improve social mobility in the workplace.
We’re looking for someone who is willing and able to move easily between strategic thinking and hands-on delivery, and is excited about taking full ownership over this important work. Combining a passion for delivering our mission with keen commercial acumen, high attention to detail and project management skills, this is a unique chance to make a big impact on social mobility in the UK.
Key Responsibility Areas
- Product ownership and project management
- Product and service development
- Quality standards
- Customer service and value proposition
- Stakeholder management
- Systems and processes
- Team development and collaboration
- Line Management (Matrix structure)
Please review the attached pdf for the full job description.
Person Specification (Knowledge, skills and experience required)
Project management and product development
- Demonstrable experience designing, delivering and developing programmes, products and/or services that meet organisational needs
- Demonstrable experience in project management, shaping long-term strategy while managing day-to-day operations and delivery
Stakeholder engagement
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with experience building and managing relationships
Policy and data skills
- Understanding of issues related to social mobility, diversity and inclusion, or workforce development
- Understanding of and/or experience in benchmarking tools, indices or assessment frameworks
Commercial and customer service
- Demonstrable experience in managing pipelines and/or stewarding customers, demonstrating excellent customer service skills and a high attention to detail
- Confidence in public speaking, presenting or facilitating workshops with professional audiences
IT skills
- Experience using Microsoft Office
- Experience of using or understanding of CRM software to effectively support pipeline and partnership management e.g. Salesforce
- Experience of or understanding of managing and using digital platforms for programmes, products and/or services
Please review the attached pdf for the full person specification.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply by submitting the following information to our application portal Pinpoint by 23:59pm, Monday 25th August:
- A cover letter (500 words maximum) outlining why you would like to work at the Social Mobility Foundation and why you are a strong candidate for the role, including specific examples from your experience and skills.
- A short statement answering the following question: “Tell us about a time where you played a key role in securing or growing a funding opportunity or partnership. How did you find the opportunity, and what was your approach to writing the proposal and stewarding the relationship? What impact did it have, and what did you learn?” (500 words maximum)
Please note that generic applications and CV’s will not be considered.
Registered Charity
21 - 50
We unlock potential, broaden horizons and create opportunities for young people
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Job Title: Independent Gender Violence Advocate (IGVA)
Location: The GAIA Centre (Lambeth)
Salary: £28,857.12 per annum (Inclusive of London Weighting, which may not be applicable depending on your home location and any agreed permanent homeworking arrangement)
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
This is an opportunity to join Refuge as an IGVA supporting women and children who are impacted by different strands of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The independent gender violence advocate will work closely with victims of gender-based violence from the point of crisis, to provide high quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of gender-based violence at the highest risk and their children.
The role will be part of increasing the ability of partner agencies to recognise, reject and respond appropriately and safely to all forms of gender-based violence (including domestic violence, sexual, financial and emotional abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and honour-based violence). The job involves working within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership protocols and procedures that prioritise the safety of survivors. The post holder will empower survivors by providing them with emotional, practical and personal welfare support. The job involves ensuring that women are provided with a safe, supportive and welcoming environment, enabling them to access their rights, make decisions and increase their life options
The job involves working within a multi-agency framework consisting of the MARAC and local partnership protocols and procedures that prioritise the safety of survivors. The job involves informing survivors of the full range of civil, criminal, and practical options that might increase their safety.
Closing Date: 09:00am 5 August 2025
Interview Date: 14 and 15 August 2025
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
This is an exciting opportunity to shape a new senior role within our organisation. The Interim Head of Research and Campaigns will lead our Research function and advocacy efforts, ensuring that evidence-based insights drive our campaigns, policy work, and public engagement.
Recently kicking off our new ‘Creating Positive Change Together’ strategy, coproduced by over 130 staff, volunteers, clients and partners, Groundswell has ambitious plans around influencing more change and amplifying voices to promote healthier lives and a better future for anyone who has experienced homelessness. This role directly aligns with these strategic plans, to refine and use innovative participatory research centring lived experience, share and amplify insight from people with experience of homelessness, and increase our campaigning activities to change systems and break down the barriers that stand in people’s way to a healthier life and more hopeful future.
This role has been created on an interim basis to assess its impact and effectiveness, with a key focus on reviewing the priorities, progression and support of our Research Team and making recommendations for the future regarding this new role. The role will sit within the wider Participation, Progression and Creating Change team.
We anticipate that some form of Head of Research & Campaigning role will continue beyond this 12-month period, and this interim position will very much shape and inform that longer term role.
