Title: Active Recovery Lead
Employer: The Southmead Project
Accountable to: Head of Active Recovery
Place of Work: The Southmead Project, Southmead, Bristol. BS10 6AS
Hours: 3 to 4 days per week. Must include Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £33,505 p/a pro rata
The Southmead Project:
The Southmead Project is an equal opportunities employer providing free counselling and support for survivors of abuse and addiction across Bristol and surrounding areas. We welcome adults aged 18 and above of any race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, ability, language, religion and cultural background. We respect and cherish the differences between people and affirm every person as an individual. Our recruitment is done in line with safer recruitment practices.
We value our team very highly and pride ourselves on being a supportive employer. We provide the following benefits to encourage every staff member to have a supported, well-rounded and enriched working experience:
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Paid supervision for 1.5 hours per month, with an external clinical supervisor
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Line management for 1 hour per month
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Training budget of £500 per year to spend on relevant training of that person’s choice
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Optional private counselling for up to twelve sessions per year with an external counsellor of that person’s choice
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Employer pension contribution of 5%
The Active Recovery Project gives adult survivors of abuse the opportunity to take part in community-based activities. Members of Active Recovery can participate in a variety of group activities with others who share or understand their experience and develop peer relationships, resulting in increasing confidence and reduced isolation. The activities are based on ideas from our members and include water-based activities (such as rowing, canoeing, sailing and kayaking), surfing, trips to community spaces and creative sessions (such as arts and crafts). Activities take place every week. Each activity will last approximately 2.5 hours each. Members can attend the group sessions for up to 18 months.
Job Purpose:
We are looking for a warm and passionate leader to come and join the Active Recovery Service.
As an Active Recovery Lead, their job will be to develop and deliver the Active Recovery Project in Bristol and in Somerset. Using a trauma-informed approach, the Active Recovery Lead will create and provide a safe and supportive space for clients from The Sexual Violence Alliance organisations (The Southmead Project, SARSAS, Womankind and the Bridge Sarc) to participate in a variety of group activities, with others who share or understand their experience and develop peer relationships, resulting in increasing confidence and reduced isolation.
Principal Tasks:
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Run two Active Recovery groups a week, with , with the help of the Practitioner.
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Provide initial trauma-informed assessment phone calls and/or meetings with potential members as part of the registration process for Active Recovery. This includes assessing need, risk and suitability for the service using a trauma-informed approach.
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Create safety plans and tailor activity sessions where appropriate after building relationships with members following the initial phone calls.
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Plan trauma-informed sessions for members, including producing risk assessments for each activity, visiting activity locations and delivering relevant trauma training to activity providers.
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Oversee and lead on setting up, delivering and debriefing about activity sessions with members, volunteers and staff. Ensuring members are clear on each session's ground rules and safeguarding processes, using the Member’s Agreement.
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Provide trauma-informed face-to-face support to members at sessions who may become overwhelmed or require help dealing with flashbacks and dissociation.
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To support volunteers and staff with safeguarding queries and ensure safeguarding procedures are followed. To be the safeguarding lead at activity sessions, escalating any onward safeguarding referrals and queries to the Southmead Project Designated Safeguarding Lead.
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Participate in and support the recruitment and induction training of volunteers.
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Support and line manage a team of volunteers.
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Develop and maintain an Active Recovery community through email, phone calls, texts and in person.
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Develop and drive forward the project’s aim to have the members’ voices at the heart of the project.
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Collaborate with developing outcome processes in line with the Southmead Project and its funders’ requirements.
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Analyse data and feedback collected through outcomes processes to adapt and constantly improve the planning and delivery of the project sessions.
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Contribute content for reports as required.
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Build and maintain positive relationships with partnership organisations for the project
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Manage the day to day budget for the project sessions, keeping accurate records to report to the Head of Active Recovery and planning how the budget will be spent across sessions, within guidelines provided by the Head of Active Recovery.
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Record data accurately and in a timely manner on Oasis.
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Produce social media and website posts about the project, including producing and editing videos.
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Attend monthly one-to-one line management meetings with the Head of Active Recovery.
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To attend monthly one-to-one clinical supervision with a Supervisor who is approved by the Southmead Project. Supervision is a requirement of this charity as an organisational member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
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To work within the framework, spirit and ethos of the Southmead Project’s Equal Opportunities Policy, and actively engage in promoting the policy within the charity and in all dealings with clients and other agencies.
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Follow the Southmead Project policies, procedures and professional code of conduct as outlined in the Staff Handbook.
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All members of staff, paid and unpaid, are required to undergo the enhanced level of Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Person Specification
ESSENTIAL
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Full drivers licence and access to own transport.
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Professional qualification, such as a Diploma or degree in Counselling or in other relevant fields of work, such as; social work, psychology, mental health, education, support work or similar: or extensive experience in any of these fields.
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A sound understanding of the issues affecting members who have experienced trauma and abuse.
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Experience in managing projects.
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Excellent administration and organisational skills, including experience of managing sensitive personal information.
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Experience of and confidence in using multiple computer and case management systems.
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At least 2 years’ experience of delivering groups in the community, preferably activity based.
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At least 1 year’s experience of providing face-to-face support for survivors of abuse.
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The ability to arrange group activities and liaise with other local organisations to help plan them.
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The ability to plan sessions in detail to ensure that they are trauma-informed and having the experience and confidence to ‘hold’ groups when things do not go to plan.
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The ability to work flexibly within a team and support those within it.
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Experience in managing volunteers.
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Knowledge and awareness of how particular activities and social situations could improve people’s self-esteem, self-confidence, build friendships and reduce their isolation.
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A sound understanding of safeguarding and experience of supporting others to act in accordance with safeguarding policies and within the best interests of the Active Recovery member or those at risk.
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Experience in managing a long-term budget.
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Knowledge of survivors’ voice work.
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To be able to attend monthly one-to-one line management meetings and monthly clinical supervision.
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To work within the framework, spirit and ethos of the Southmead Project’s Equal Opportunities Policy, and actively engage in promoting the policy within the charity and in all dealings with clients and other agencies.
DESIRABLE:
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Experience of building and maintaining positive partnerships in the community.
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Experience of running a community based project.
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Experience of setting up processes for survivors’ voice work.
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Knowledge of making content for social media, including video recording and editing skills.
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Experience managing recruitment and training.
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Experience in chairing meetings and the ability to plan and review activities with a team.
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Experience designing outcomes processes and collecting outcomes data.
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Experience in writing reports, preferably funding reports in the charity sector.
Please note that there must be at least 12 months between receiving support from the Southmead Project as a client/member and starting this role.
Meaningful therapeutic support accessible for adults impacted by abuse and addiction. A safe space for growth, connection and wellbeing for all.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Location: Bristol(with hybrid working, 40% in office), United Kingdom.
Salary: £47,000 to £51,000 per annum
Type: Full-time (28 - 35 Hours pw), Permanent
About Us
The Soil Association, formed in 1946, is the only UK charity which works across the spectrum of human health, the environment and animal welfare. That’s because we cannot tackle these issues in isolation.
We campaign for change, we support farming innovation, we serve healthy food in communities, we support and grow the organic market, and we protect forests. We couldn't do any of this without our supporters, partners, donors and dedicated staff. We make a difference in the world where it’s needed the most.
About the Opportunity
2026 is our 80th year and an exciting time to join the Soil Association. We have an ambitious strategy to 2030 with inspiring, scalable projects which are delivering impact across the food system. As a fundraising department, we prioritise brilliant cross team collaboration on campaigns, events and appeals to achieve our ambitious long term growth targets across our income streams.
About You
We are looking for an exceptional fundraiser and motivational team leader. You will be brilliant at building lasting partnerships both externally with supporters and internally with colleagues. You will accelerate opportunities to broaden our networks, develop compelling proposals, deliver inspiring events and provide outstanding stewardship.
You will:
• Have a proven track record of securing and managing significant six-figure plus donations
• Be a confident, persuasive communicator with the ability to translate complex food systems and sustainability programmes into compelling, tailored propositions
• Be an experienced leader who thrives on supporting their team to reach their potential
Our Benefits
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We offer a range of financial and lifestyle benefits to all our employees, including:
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27 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days with length of service plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time)
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Pension scheme with ethical investment options and employer contribution increasing with length of service
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Free membership of the Soil Association and discounts on organic produce
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Volunteer days to give back to the local community or support green initiatives
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Family friendly policies and flexible working
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Cycle to work scheme
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Sociable and engaging workplace of professionals that share a passion for healthy, sustainable lifestyle and produce
To Apply
Click ‘apply now’ to submit your CV and Cover Letter application form. Please note we look at applications on arrival and reserve the right to close this vacancy early.
Please check your junk/spam folder if you do not receive a confirmation email upon submitting your application. All candidates will subsequently receive an email to confirm whether they have made it through to interview stage.
We know the value of diversity in nature and want it in our organisation. We recognise that diverse backgrounds and experiences will bring a fresh perspective to our work. If you're not sure about applying, please get in touch with us for a chat.
Thank you for your interest in supporting our work at the Soil Association.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.