Children and families jobs in Chatham, medway

Northern Dog Volunteer Recruitment Officer

Location: Home based, supporting northern region’s (Including Scotland, Northern England and parts of the Midlands, with travel outside these areas occasionally)

Salary Band:  £26,000 to £27,000 FTE (pro rata for part-time hours)

Job Type: Part-time (3 to 4 days per week), with flexibility required for regular evening / overnight stays and weekend work

Reports To: Head of Dog Supply & Canine Support Services

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives.

We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving alert assistance dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease.

We have an exciting new opportunity to join this small but fast-growing charity that is a world leader in its specialist, innovative field.

We are looking for someone with the skills, experience and passion to join our Canine Services Department, and to be responsible for the recruitment, training and development of dog supply volunteers.

Responsibilities of the Role:

Recruitment of Volunteers (puppy socialisers, holiday cover, and fosterers)

• To liaise with volunteering team regarding current recruitment areas and support on the ground recruitment activities in the relevant regions, involving volunteers and dogs where appropriate
• To manage the process of dog volunteer recruitment
• To oversee that necessary checks have been completed to assess prospective new dog volunteers, including home, workplace, pet dog and children assessments, when required
• Inform stakeholders when a dog volunteer is signed off and ready to have an MDD living with them
• Achieve monthly targets as set by the Head of Dog Supply and Canine Services

Training of Volunteers:

• Deliver effective training by organising dog handling classes before volunteers receive their Medical Detection Dog
• Oversee the online training pathway for all dog volunteers
• Ensure all dog volunteers have received and read the training manual, addressing any questions they may have
• Be the first point of contact for all dog volunteers during the application and training process
• Link volunteers with appropriate buddies prior to placement of a puppy/dog

Other:

• To manage the Puppy Socialisers Facebook page, delivering key training messages via this platform.
• Update the Harlequin CRM and Assemble database promptly to maintain accurate and up to date records of all dog volunteers, e.g. what training they have received etc.
• Support the Dog Training and Partnership Instructor in matching and allocating dog volunteers with MDD puppies
• Support the charity’s fundraising, communications and volunteering teams as required, specifically in relation to your area
• Share best practice with colleagues across the charity
• Other tasks or ad hoc duties agreed with your line manager to ensure the successful running of the charity

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience in planning and coordinating volunteer recruitment events and recruiting volunteers
• Previous experience delivering training sessions
• Strong ability to communicate clearly and confidently with a range of audiences
• Confidence in using social media to promote volunteer recruitment
• Basic knowledge of GDPR
• Ability to deliver volunteer training, including assessing individual learning styles and adapting approaches while following structured programmes
• Strong teaching and instructional skills
• Ability to plan, prioritise and organise workload effectively for self and others
• Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with a wide range of stakeholders, including clients and their families, volunteers, professional partners, members of the public, media, managers and colleagues
• High level of IT literacy and report writing skills, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Desirable

• Understanding of training assistance dogs
• Minimum 1-2 years’ experience in dog training
• Basic understanding of practical dog training theories
• Knowledge of laws related to dogs
• Understanding of dog and human psychology
• Awareness of health and safety implications in dog and volunteer handling
• Understanding of ADUK and ADI regulations

Finally, the successful candidate will also be expected to:

• Hold a full UK Driving Licence
• Provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK
• Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Work some evenings and weekends with the possibility of spending nights away

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Medical Detection Dogs, please do not hesitate to apply.

We are a welcoming, diverse and inclusive charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Role Overview

The Charity Operations Manager will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operational activities for Holly’s Hearts to ensure the services, and internal processes run efficiently and effectively. This role supports the charity’s strategic goals by managing systems, coordinating events and volunteers, improving operational procedures, and identifying and pursuing new funding opportunities, including grants, trusts, foundations, and corporate partnerships. 

Day to day you will manage emails, phone calls and general enquiries. You will need good written and verbal communication skills and be professional and friendly at all times. You must be able to handle confidential information carefully. You will also assist with the finance admin keeping records of income, tracking donations and sending out thank-you messages and be confident to use tools like Microsoft Excel to track expenditure.Use of tools to keep records of donors and gift recipients.You will be required to review and improve operational processes for efficiency and effectiveness.

You will build and nurture new corporate relationships with companies across the North West to increase the income for the charity and maintain relationships with funders and partners to support long-term financial sustainability for the charity.

You will work closely with trustees, programme teams, volunteers, and external partners to ensure the charity delivers high-quality services to meet its objectives. Working closely with families and social workers you will develop strong relationships to ensure that referrals for gifts continue to grow and awareness of the charity is built in the paediatric oncology hospital wards. 

You will manage the charities social media platforms by providing updates and stories about the charity, responding to comments and messages from supporters with the aim to build awareness and grow supporters for the charity. You will use social media as a tool to encourage people to attend events or support the charity through campaigns and fundraising. This will require strong writing and communication skills and empathy and understanding of the charity’s mission. You will work closely with the website team to ensure the website is updated accordingly.

You will be the first point of contact for supporters interested in fundraising. You will be responsible for the development of our fundraising and events portfolio and be involved in all event management and administration.This will include planning events, organising venues, budgets and logistics around the event. Contacting suppliers, sponsors, volunteers and speakers. Promoting the events through email, posters, websites and social media. Ensuring that fundraising targets for each event are met and reviewing event success afterward. Encouraging community involvement in events and managing those volunteers on event days. You will identify opportunities to grow our supporter base through outreach and networking with individuals, community groups and organisations. You will build relationships with event providers and proactively seek new opportunities for events. Through a multimedia approach you will advertise and promote events efficiently and you will recruit participants and celebrate their achievements. After the events you will report on the performance and income targets.

HR People Coordinator

Location: Hybrid - 2 days a week in Brasted

Salary: £27,184 full time equivalent

Vacancy Type: Three month fixed term contract (with potential to extend) Immediate Start

Closing Date: Sunday 5th  of July 2026

About us

At Catch22, we are proud of our reputation as a modern and progressive employer. Our 1,300 colleagues and 300 volunteers work at every stage of the social welfare cycle, supporting over 60,000 individuals from cradle to career. Our work spans education, social justice and rehabilitation, children's social care, family support, social action and getting people into work.

About the role

As HR People Coordinator you will be delivering a customer-focussed HR processing service for a number of areas of our organisation. You will be working with our Service Managers to ensure they work to our HR polices, processes and practices. This will include:

· Carrying out Pre Employment checks and generating contracts of employment for new members of staff.

· Processing variations to contracts and payroll changes and administering the leavers processes.

· Monitoring key events and dates relevant to the employment relationship (e.g. end of fixed term contract, DBS renewals) and taking appropriate action.

· Updating our HR system (MHR People First and iTrent, known internally as HouRS) to reflect changes and ensure that records are up to date.

· Dealing in a sensitive and professional manner with enquiries from all sources and maintaining privacy and confidentiality at all times.

You will be managed by our People & Payroll Shared Services Manager and will be working with a team of People Coordinators who support other areas of the organisation, so there will be plenty of opportunities to learn from others, hear more about what we do and how you play a part in the bigger picture.

Experience

· An understanding of, or keen interest in HR is essential, while some experience of the area would be desirable

· The ability to build and develop strong working relationships

· A strong customer service ethos and good communication skills

· The ability to work effectively under pressure

· Time management and prioritisation skills

· Excellent attention to detail and accuracy

Desirable criteria:

· Able to start immediately

· Experience of working in a busy Human Resources or Finance Department

· Experience of using a HR database system

· Knowledge of the main areas of HR administration

· Able to develop basic administration procedures

Access to your own means of transportation would be beneficial, as the local bus service is unfortunately not very frequent or reliable. We recommend you research your potential commute ahead of applying.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Catch22, please do not hesitate to apply.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead Field Studies Council's Digital Learning & Publishing unit.

You'll develop strategy, build partnerships, grow income streams and lead a talented team delivering biodiversity training, digital learning and natural history publishing across the UK.

Success in this position will come from strong commercial leadership, strategic thinking and the ability to deliver sustainable growth while supporting our charitable mission.

• Permanent full-time contract
• Starting salary circa £36,973 - £44,091 per annum DOE + excellent benefits
• Flexible base location with remote / home working welcomed
• Make a visible, lasting contribution to environmental education across the UK

Work with purpose

At the Field Studies Council, our mission is to create outstanding opportunities that inspire everyone to engage with and care for the environment.

As our Digital Learning & Publishing Manager, you will lead a commercially focused business unit responsible for a diverse portfolio of biodiversity training, digital learning and publishing products. Working closely with the Commercial Director, you'll help form the future direction of the unit, ensuring sustainable growth, strong customer experience and meaningful impact.

In this key senior leadership role, you will:

• Lead the Digital Learning & Publishing unit, with accountability for its commercial and operational performance, budgeting, forecasting and P&L delivery.
• Develop and deliver commercial strategies that drive sustainable revenue growth across digital learning, publishing, partnerships and e-commerce.
• Identify new commercial opportunities and build relationships that expand our reach and impact.
• Use data, insights and customer feedback to improve performance, conversion, retention and customer value.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team.
• Oversee the successful delivery of biodiversity training courses, digital learning products and natural history publications.

Further detail regarding the full responsibilities can be found in the vacancy pack attached to the advert on our careers website.

Where you’ll be based

The base location for this position is negotiable, with remote working / home working welcomed. If you prefer working in an office environment, you can work from one of our Field Studies Centres across the UK. Hybrid working options can also be considered.

This role will include occasional travel to our Field Studies Council locations and other venues throughout the UK and will involve occasional overnight stays.

Who we're looking for

We're looking for someone with a commercial mindset who has owned budgets, delivered revenue growth and led business performance before. We're particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

• Significant experience in a commercial leadership or business unit management role.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams in a commercial environment 
• P&L accountability and revenue growth delivery, with a track record of developing and scaling commercially viable products or services 
• Experience leading delivery project teams and managing vendors/freelancers. 
• Effective management and influencing of partnerships and networks 
• Budget management expertise, including a proven ability to ensure value for money
• An interest in learning, publishing, environmental education or the natural history sector.

Your benefits whilst working with us will include:

• 28 days annual leave + bank holidays
• 2 extra loyalty days dependent on length of service
• Life assurance 5 x your annual basic salary 
• Health and Wellbeing Support App for you and eligible family members to access remote GP appointments, mental health consultations, physiotherapy sessions and financial & legal support
• 24-hour Counselling Helpline Service
• Cycle to work and EV schemes
• Discounts and cashback opportunities 
• Flexible working options where roles permit
• Quality learning and development opportunities

If you are looking for a role where your leadership can make a genuine difference to environmental learning, we would be delighted to receive your application.

The closing date for receipt of your completed application is 8th July 2026.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we’re in receipt of sufficient applications. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Interviews are scheduled to take place at Field Studies Council online in the week commencing 20th July 2026.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by email.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and we expect all team members to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will only be confirmed following the successful completion of rigorous pre-employment checks, including appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks / PVG Scheme check with Disclosure Scotland.

Community Fundraising Assistant - North 

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research?

Brain Tumour Research is an exciting, innovative, and ambitious charity. We are passionate about finding a cure for brain tumours through the establishment of dedicated Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence around the UK.​

After a successful 2025, we’re building on our momentum and looking ahead with ambition. As our work continues to expand, so does our impact. We are now looking for passionate people to join us on the next stage of our journey!

It is a fantastic time to be joining us and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a Community Fundraising Assistant - North, to join our Community and Digital Fundraising team.

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• Are you able to provide friendly and professional support to fundraisers and supporters?   
• Do you have experience in supporting events or community activities?
• Do you live in either Scotland, North East England, North West England or the East Midlands? 

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Have you answered Yes to these questions?

Does this sound like the opportunity to really take the next step in your career?

Excited to learn more about this position? Then please take a read through our recruitment pack which is included within this advert.​​​

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we are excited to receive your application.  We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!​

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

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We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

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