Communication manager jobs in houghton regis, central bedfordshire

Stroke Association is the UK's largest charity dedicated to helping with the emotional, practical and financial cost a stroke can have.

Surviving a stroke is just the start of a long and difficult recovery journey. Stroke Association is there to support stroke survivors and help their families find the strength they need to find their way back to living a fulfilling life.

A stroke can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time and one in four strokes happen in people of working age.

“I’m Leighton and when I was 39 years young I had a stroke.  There’s a sentence I never, ever thought I would write. But that’s the thing with stroke, it doesn’t care how fit and healthy I was. It doesn’t care that I’m a dad with a 10-year-old son. A son that needs me.”

We are looking for a passionate, enthusiastic and motivated individual to join the team raising vital funds to provide this invaluable lifelong support for all stroke survivors, just like Leighton.

The Role

This is an exciting new role in a newly created team, formed to acquire strategic corporate partnerships and community connections. As Partnerships Officer for the North of England your main responsibilities will include:

• Developing a robust pipeline of future support focussing on high value relationships.
• Delivering engagement strategies and products to enhance the conversion rate of your pipeline.
• Developing and delivering a relationship stewardship plan for all corporate partners.
• Delivering an individual income target.
• Tracking and monitoring income and pipeline values to support with forecasting and budgeting.

The Person

We are looking for a confident and enthusiastic person with excellent communication and relationship building skills. You should be excited by the prospect of building a new pipeline and portfolio of corporate partners and be confident stewarding relationships in this space.

You must be able to work flexibly to maximise opportunities across the North of England, and have the initiative and ability to work with autonomy. Previous experience in fundraising is desirable; however, we are also keen to speak with people who also have the knowledge and experience in building relationships and are keen to transfer this skillset into the rewarding world of fundraising!

Why Stroke Association?

The Fundraising team at Stroke Association pride themselves on fostering an open, honest, flexible and supportive working environment. The culture is such that everyone feels valued and recognised and despite being a disparate team, there are strong bonds formed across the charity. Not only does this charity transform the lives of stroke survivors and their families, but it also offers a wonderful environment to work in where people add value and have a positive impact every single day!

The charity’s benefits also include elements such as volunteering days, long service awards, incremental annual leave increase with service, a generous pension contribution and enhanced maternity and paternity leave.

If this sounds like the opportunity for the next phase of your career, then get in touch! The role is on a 12-month contract and full-time (but flexible working will be considered). You must either have a driving licence and access to your own vehicle, or be able to demonstrate that you can meet the travel requirements of the role which include travelling extensively across the region/country.

If you think you could be the right person to fulfil the exciting responsibilities of this role, apply here, or get in contact with Charlie, Jen or Leanne at Charity Horizons for more information. 

Please note: If you would like to submit an application or express your interest in an alternative format such as audio or video upload, or require any adaptations for your initial engagement with us, please contact either Jen or Leanne who will be happy to advise on this.

Please also be aware that we use anonymous recruitment methods when submitting shortlists for all our roles and we only work with organisations that are happy to engage with us in this way.

Charity Horizons is an equal opportunities employer and as such actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from all suitable candidates irrespective of age, disability, hidden disability, race or national origin, religion or belief, gender, gender expression, political view, sexual orientation, medical condition and pregnancy.

Policy and Public Affairs Officer - National Youth Agency

The National Youth Agency is looking for a new Policy & Public Affairs Officer to join our Policy, Insights and External Affairs Team.

Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours per week 
Salary: £29,000 - £33,000 per annum (depending on experience and qualifications)

Remote: NYA is a remote working organisation. However, its home is in Leicester which is available for staff to work or host meetings. There is also the option of a workspace in London up to 2 days per week. This role will require regular travel to meetings, events and conferences in London and throughout England.

What we do

As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.

We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work

About the Role

As Policy and Public Affairs Officer at the National Youth Agency, this is a unique opportunity to shape the future of youth work in England. You’ll be part of influencing national policy and driving change that directly impacts young people’s lives. Working within a dynamic and supportive team, you’ll be at the forefront of monitoring and interpreting developments across Westminster - from government consultations to parliamentary debates. Your work will ensure NYA stays ahead of the curve, responding swiftly to emerging policy trends and helping to shape national conversations. You’ll work with the team to use these policy insights to develop our influencing and advocacy efforts. If you’re keen to develop your career in policy and public affairs and want to contribute to meaningful change for young people, this role offers the opportunity to do just that.

Key responsibilities for this role will include:

Policy and public affairs support

• Research and track policy developments, political landscape changes, and other relevant areas to identify opportunities to further NYA’s policy calls.
• Monitor and report on parliamentary activities, government announcements, and consultations relevant to youth work.
• Compile and analyse data from various sources to support policy briefs, reports, and other written materials.
• Draft policy briefings, research summaries, consultation responses, letters, reports, newsletters and stakeholder communications.
• Maintain and develop stakeholder relationships and record engagement on the CRM system.
• Work with the team with the preparation and delivery of youth participation activities to support our policy influencing objectives.

Event support

• Support the organisation, coordination and note-taking for meetings and events, including webinars, roundtables and political party conference activity. 
• Support with planning and executing of large events including attendee registration, youth participation, materials preparation and using the CRM system.

Other

• Represent the Policy Team at external and internal meetings, policy forums and events.
• Work collaboratively with other teams and directorates to help build an understanding of the work of the Policy and Public Affairs team and effective working relationships across the organisation.

Please refer to our Candidate Pack for more information on the role and the requirements.

Why Work for NYA?

NYA operates as a people-first organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.

NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.

A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.

NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.

We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via Spectrum.life with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.

How to Apply:

Please download our applicant pack to find out more about the role and requirements

To apply, please submit the following via our online application platform by 11:59pm on Sunday 29th June 2025:

A detailed CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements in line with the person specification in the About You section. 

A covering letter (maximum two sides) highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the requirements in the About You section. 

We will request data for our EEDI monitoring purposes, providing this is optional.

Please note: the covering letter is an essential part of the application process and will be assessed as part of your full application. We use AI detector software, so cover letters or CV’s with over 30% AI generated content with be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance. CV’s will not be accepted without a cover letter.

The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer. 

At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission. 

We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.

Youth Work changes lives

Which is why we’re committed to ensuring that as many young people as possible get to benefit from it.As the national body for youth work in England, the National Youth Agency (NYA) exists to champion its transformative power.  We believe all young people should have the opportunity to benefit from the life-changing impact of extraordinary youth workers and trained volunteers.

We help to grow youth work provision in ways that keep it effective, relevant, safe and engaging, to help millions of young people reach their potential and thrive. We do this by providing guidance, support, advice, training and staff development opportunities for youth workers and youth work organisations. At the heart of everything we do are young people themselves. We work hard to ensure their voices are integrated into all our work, to develop provision that truly meets their needs.

REF-221910

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior IDVA to join the Specialist Services team in Bedfordshire, working 30 hours a week. This is a fixed term contract until 31st March 2026. This role will be hybrid and be located within Bedford Borough.

Do you want to make a difference every day? Do you want to contribute to change and improvement for those who need it?

Do you have resilience and adaptability? Can you work effectively with a focus on customer service and care?

If yes, then we'd love to hear from you…

What we offer:

At Victim Support we believe in attracting & retaining the best people and offer a competitive rewards & benefits package including:

• Flexible working options including hybrid working
• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, rising to 33 days plus Bank Holidays
• An extra day off for your birthday & options to buy or sell annual leave
• Pension with 5% employer contribution
• Enhanced sick pay allowances, maternity & paternity payments
• High Street, retail, holiday, gym, entertainment & leisure discounts
• Access to our financial wellbeing hub & salary deducted finance
• Employee assistance programme & wellbeing support
• Access to EDI networks and colleague cafes
• Cycle to work scheme & season ticket loans
• Ongoing training & support with opportunities for career development & progression

About this role:

This role supports the service across Bedford Borough. As a Team Leader for the Specialist Services team you will:

• Offer a consistent representative for the twice weekly MARAC
• Be a SPOC for the Front Door - giving advice and support around queries/ concerns about DA
• Carry a reduced caseload
• Support the Safe & Together model
• have line manage responsibilities including Bedford Borough IDVA

You will need:

• A qualification as an IDVA or ISAC
• Experience of developing and maintaining partnerships and pathways within a multi-agency and legislative framework
• Knowledge of legislation relating to equal opportunities and diversity, safeguarding and risk assessments
• Practical understanding of the requirement for confidentiality and safe working practice and maintenance of files in accordance with the Data Protection Act and other legal requirements
• Experience of working in a challenging and changing environment with an emphasis on customer focus and excellence in service delivery
• Demonstrable experience of providing crisis management, support and guidance in sometimes stressful and difficult situations to a team with a client service focus
• Have excellent communication, negotiation and advisory skills, both written and verbal when interacting with a range of agencies and individuals
• Work without direct supervision, prioritise work and deal with competing or conflicting demands/ needs and interests in an organised and methodical manner
• Gather, analyse and use information and evidence from different sources to solve problems and report on data quality and compliance
• Sound IT expertise with the ability to use a range of software including: Word, Excel and Case Management systems
• Self-aware and committed to own continuous development

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

About Us:

Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity providing a range of specialist services to people who have been affected by crime across England and Wales. We work towards a world where there are fewer victims but who have stronger rights, better support and a real influence in the Criminal Justice System. Everyone at VS is driven by our Vision Ambitions and Values to play their part in making a difference for those who experience crime and traumatic events. Working for VS gives you the opportunity to play a key role in a national charity providing high quality services to victims and witnesses and being a vital force for change.

Victim Support are committed to recruiting with care and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Background checks and Disclosed Barring Service checks may be required.

Victim Support strives to represent the diverse communities we serve and are passionate about creating an environment where all staff and volunteers feel respected and heard. Being a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture is integral to us being able to meet our aim of ensuring that anyone who is a victim of crime gets the support they need.

As part of our commitment to the Race at Work Charter we particularly welcome applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. VS is also a Disability Confident Employer and we provide a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for candidates that are disabled and meet all essential criteria for a role.

If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition which you believe may affect your performance during any aspect of our selection process, we'll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform at your best.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please follow the link below to the Jobs page on our website, and complete the application form demonstrating how you meet the essential shortlisting criteria.

We looking forward to hearing from you.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, if we receive enough suitable applications to take forward to interview prior to the published closing date.

If you have already registered & started an application, then we will contact you to advise of the amended closing date wherever possible.

Engagement worker

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Job Title: Engagement Worker

Location: Bedford

Salary: £24,500

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Sunday hours can vary between 08:00 - 16:00, 09:00 - 17:00 and 12:00 - 20:00 on a rota basis which will include varying hours dependent on service needs. You may also be required to work bank holidays if the rota falls on this day.

About the role

We're looking for an Engagement Worker to join our residential service based in Bedford which is a 19-bed residential service close to Bedford Town Centre offering a safe, peaceful and supportive living environment for individuals wishing to engage with support to assist them in increasing their levels of independence. You will support with various responsibilities within the service, with a focus on providing social contact and company to help enhance quality of life, personal safety, health and security, sustainment of tenancy and improving financial independence. You will support our residents to gain the relevant skills and knowledge to gain greater independence, supporting them back into the community. 

The role is varied, with each day being different, depending on service and resident needs. You may need to run and engage in activities, complete support sessions, arrange external activities, in house activities, and support with attending appointments.

About you

We’re looking for someone with a genuine passion and felt purpose to help people, challenge stigma, and make a real difference to people’s lives!
We are looking for a team player, driven to provide high quality care and support to others, an effective communicator who is able to build rapport with others from various backgrounds. You will be compassionate, supportive, and empowering to others, whilst able to form effective, positive and motivational relationships.

• Awareness of external opportunities which are available such as with education, employment and benefits
• Experience working with people with multiple and complex needs
• Ability to show empathy and compassion to our residents, and different challenges they face
• Ability  to motivate, and empower others to achieve their personal goals and overcome barriers
• IT ability to use our online CRM systems and Microsoft programs daily
• Understanding of the different needs people with multiple and complex needs have and be aware of the social marginalisation that can be attached to people who face personal challenges

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• Be part of an organisation which believes good care and support improves lives.
• Join an organisation with a mission to empower people who are marginalised by building powerful partnerships and creative solutions that bridge gaps in provision and aid recovery, reablement and resettlement.

We are committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). We value and celebrate the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of all our employees. We have a team of ambassadors who are staff volunteers and actively support us in fortifying our organisational value of Inclusivity. We're proud to mention that our staff Ambassadors career aspirations generally benefit from embracing this unique opportunity to develop their respective skill sets in spaces that exist outside of their daily roles. 

SIG actively encourages applications from individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, particularly lived experience; Naturally, we approach any emerging issues with empathy and sensitivity. 

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings (including people's own homes), probation settings, and hospitals awaiting discharge. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, and Kent. We believe in the power of well-planned, well-managed services to make a difference. We work with high standards and external and internal regulatory frameworks. Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us on the details below. 

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions.