Community connections area coordinator jobs in didcot, oxfordshire
The Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation is a drug and alcohol education charity that aims to support young people to make safe choices about drugs and alcohol and reduce harm. We do this through increasing understanding of the effects and risks, and helping to develop life skills and resilience. The Foundation was set up in January 2014 by Tim and Fiona Spargo-Mabbs in response to the death of their 16-year-old son Daniel having taken ecstasy
We are recruiting a Drugs Education Coordinator (Scotland) to join our team. This role will involve the coordination and delivery of DSMF drug education in Scotland, based in the Grampian region, working with the Head of Education and Engagement and Director to develop provision regionally and more widely.
Suitable candidates will:
- be passionate about supporting young people to make safer choices about drugs and alcohol
- have experience of developing and delivering drug and/or alcohol education in schools, colleges and/or the community
- have experience of working with young people, including a knowledge of substance use and its impacts
- have experience of project coordination, with excellent organisation skills
- be a skilled and effective communicator, both in writing and orally, with a wide range of people and agencies
- enjoy working remotely in a small and busy team
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Are you passionate about sport and physical activity and want to use this to share the good news of Jesus to children & young people across South England?
About the role
Scripture Union England & Wales (SU) one of the UK’s longest-established children and youth ministry organisations is working in partnership with Activate, an exciting local sport and wellbeing project, to offer this unique role to reach many more young people in the Bushy Park area and across the South of England through physical activity.
We’re looking for a creative and entrepreneurial individual with a passion for using sport to help children and young people across the South of England to explore and respond to the good news of Jesus.
This unique role combines the benefits of direct face-to-face engagement with young people in a local context, delivering mission through sport activities and programmes, while also developing and mentoring others to expand ministry across the South region. The ideal candidate will have equal passion and experience in both contexts.
Key details: Employed by Scripture Union you will spend three days per week developing sports mission across London and the South. For two days per week, you will work on the Activate sports and wellbeing project working across the Bushy Park area.
Location: Home based with travel across London and the wider south region for SU & St Peter’s Church in West Molesey for Activate.
Important things to note before you apply.
-
This role will focus on Bushy Park, London and the South of England and will require extensive regular travel across the region.
-
We are committed to building a culturally diverse workforce. As part of this commitment, we welcome applications from people, regardless of their background.
-
We take Safeguarding seriously. This role will require a Disclosure from the Disclosure & Barring Service and has an occupational requirement to be filled by a committed Christian, active in church life. Equality Act 2010, Part 1, Schedule 9 applies.
A flexible role shaped around you
The role is full-time, offering the best of both worlds by working with two partner organisations that collaborate synergistically. This position suits a candidate who enjoys face-to-face interactions with young people locally and strategic work regionally, training others for delivery. You’ll work closely with the Activate team and maintain weekly connections with the SU Sports Mission team as well as contributing to the wider work of the SU South region team.
Who we’re looking for team
You are someone who loves variety in your work and thrives on the fact that no two days are the same. You value a blend of face-to-face interaction with children and young people through sports coaching and leading, while also adopting a facilitating approach; equipping, training, and motivating others. You enjoy being rooted in a local context but are also happy travelling and working in a range of settings.
You’re a connector who relishes being in the community, with experience in leading teams whilst working with diverse groups of people. Your creative mindset, combined with excellent organisational skills, enables you to spot and create opportunities for impact. You love Jesus and are filled with energy and passion for sharing the gospel. You excel with people and thrive when given a blank canvas to drive projects from conception to completion. You are a confident communicator with experience in training, coaching, and empowering others. You have a passion for sport and experience in using this as a tool for sharing the gospel with children and young people. You’ve got a Level 2 coaching qualification or you’re willing to work towards one.
If this describes you and you would like to join a like-minded organisation that offers the flexibility of an exciting, varied role, provides a competitive salary, a generous pension scheme, and other valuable benefits, then read on.
Invest in our mission, as we invest in you: Our Benefits:
This joined-up role with Activate and Scripture Union means being part of a vibrant team dedicated to making a real, positive difference in the lives of children and young people. We’re proud to be employers that truly value and support our staff. This role offers the flexibility you need for a healthy work-life balance, alongside a competitive salary. Your benefits package includes 23 days annual leave plus bank holidays, plus an additional 5 days for volunteering at Scripture Union events and two days for spiritual refreshment.
We offer a comprehensive group pension scheme with an employer contribution of up to 12%, as well as life insurance (death-in-service coverage). We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave benefits. You will also have access to SU’s bible notes, and the opportunity to join daily staff prayers.
About Scripture Union
You might have heard of us before if you're one of the 1.5 million+ who have attended one of our Christian holidays or missions over the years, or maybe you're one of the 40,000+ subscribers to have used our brilliant devotionals or been stirred by our exceptional bible resources. We've been at this for a fair few years... over 150 to be precise. Over this time, we’ve remained passionate about helping children and young people develop a vibrant faith in Jesus. As our name describes, the radical power of God's word has always been central to our approach.
We still do all the great stuff with resources and holidays, but in the last few years, we have sharpened our vision with a renewed focus to help the 95% of young people (primary and secondary school age) across the UK who have never stepped foot inside a church, to hear and respond to the good news of Jesus. We do this through equipping and resourcing the local church, training up volunteers from local churches (we call them ‘Faith Guides’) and collaborating with local and national partners across the UK to connect with children and young people and support them on a journey of exploring faith in a way that is relevant and meaningful.
In the last few years we’ve developed a brand new approach to how we do this, it’s deceptively simple and incredibly effective, we call it Revealing Jesus, and its making a massive difference, in the last couple of years we’ve trained up nearly 600 faith guides across 400+ churches all over the UK, collectively we’re seeing over 50,000 young people across the UK on a journey of exploring the Christian faith and responding to an invitation to become followers of Jesus. We have 24 staff organised into four regional mission teams, and alongside our local and national partners, we’re playing our part in a network of organisations that seeks to reach children and young people in every context, across every town and city across the whole of the UK. The journey ahead is significant, and we invite you to be a part of it!
Since 2015, SU has had a dedicated Mission Through Sport team which contributes directly towards this outreach to the 95. We have recently developed some innovative new resources, aligned with the RJ framework, which the post holder will be involved in both delivering and equipping others to utilise. These include our flagship programme called Holy Ground which empowers churches to adopt a local sports space in their community to connect with the 95 in their context. Half Time is our brand new Explore-Respond resource which uses sports-themed videos and fun games to help the 95 to explore the life of Jesus by journeying through Mark’s Gospel.
About Activate
Activate is a sport and physical activity-based programme, formed in 2018, seeking to build community through wellbeing that invigorates faith. Activate seeks to release God’s people to join in his mission through sport and physical activity in the areas surrounding Bushy Park. This includes gathering, encouraging and empowering local Christians involved in sports ministry, including expressions of chaplaincy and missional communities centred around sports clubs, centres, educational settings and gyms. A number of local churches across denominations and Dioceses have been supporters of the project.
In the past Activate has supported sports projects in local schools, an activity-based church service, wellbeing cafe sessions, exercise sessions for the elderly and youth activities. The successful candidate will be involved in re-launching Activate’s mission after a break due to staff changes.
About your team
With this role, you will have the benefit of being part of a national-focused sports team at SU, as well as the south team with a regional focus and the local context with Activate. You’ll work out of the office of St Peter’s Church, West Molesey, benefiting from the support of a local parish-based team including clergy and youth workers. You’ll contribute your expertise in a variety of settings, ranging from urban and suburban to coastal and rural areas across the south. You’ll have a brilliant time getting acquainted with this rich tapestry of local and national partners. Across the south region, we currently work with 130 churches and have 150 faith guides. We’d like to see these numbers grow significantly over the next few years and believe that a vibrant sports ministry can contribute meaningfully to this.
Interview date: 11th September 2025
Interview location: St Peter’s Church, West Molesey
* (CONTRACT) Funding is in place for year one and partly secured for year two. We are confident that through the development of innovate partnerships via the Activate role, including within the church of England, the funds can be generated to not only fulfil the two initial years but also beyond that to ensure longevity in this vital mission. We invite interested applicants to contact Mark Oliver, Sports Mission Team Leader at Scripture Union, for an informal conversation.
ScriptureUnion is a Christian charity that exists to see a new generation of children and young people with their own vibrant, personal faith in Jesus




The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Are you looking for a purpose-driven role where your work directly transforms young lives? MCR Pathways is seeking a Programme Manager for our relationship-based mentoring programme in Hertfordshire and West London. We are a life-changing mentoring charity dedicated to supporting young people who have faced an unfair start in life, helping them overcome barriers and achieve their full potential.
About the role
As Programme Manager, you'll manage, advise and support our Pathways Coordinators in schools and other partner organisations. Your main goal is to make sure our programme is fully integrated and highly effective in schools and with partners across Hertfordshire and West London. Although the role is remote it involves a significant amount of travel around Hertfordshire and West London so the successful candidate will need to be based within reasonable driving distance of these areas.
Key responsibilities:
-
Provide support, development, training, management and motivation to MCR staff in schools and other partner organisations
-
Support school integration of the programme and a consistently high quality standard of programme delivery
-
Develop and support partnerships with the Local Councils, further and higher education institutions, local business and all MCR stakeholders
-
Provide analysis of programme performance, impact and development
About you
-
Experience of developing and effectively managing teams and programmes
-
Self-motivated and skilled at motivating others
-
Experience of or strong interest in working or volunteering in the third sector
-
Experience of working within or in collaboration with secondary schools
-
Excellent communication and presentation skills
-
Attention to detail and ability to prioritise
-
Experience of coordinating and analysing qualitative and quantitative data
About us
MCR Pathways is an award-winning charity established in Glasgow in 2007. We currently support over 7,800 young people across the UK who’ve had an unfair start in life, through our community of mentors, donors, staff, and partners. They are united by a shared belief: that every young person deserves someone to help them find their way. We believe in the power of mentoring and that a single connection can change a life.
We connect young people with volunteer mentors who offer support, encouragement and a listening ear. The aim is to empower young people to define their own ambitions, supporting them from aspiration to achievement. It’s more than academic success; it’s about instilling belief, resilience and the chance to thrive.
Mentoring is at the heart of what we do, but not all we do. We create opportunities like career tasters, job shadowing, and work experience helping young people access networks and pathways they might not otherwise reach. We support them into further and higher education, apprenticeships and employment and fulfilling careers helping them live their best life.
MCR Pathways’ values are Respect, Communication, Trust and Growth and they inform everything we do.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Title: Policy and Influencing Manager
Organisation: Kids
Location: Remote (with travel to London up to once a week for meetings)
Salary: £33,000–£35,000
Contract: Full-time or 4 days/week (Flexible working available)
Make change happen – for every child.
At Kids, we believe every child should have the opportunity to thrive – regardless of disability or circumstance. As our Policy and Influencing Manager, you’ll play a vital role in making this a reality. You’ll help shape policies that amplify the voices and experiences of disabled children and young people, turning insight into influence and ideas into action.
This is a unique opportunity to lead bold, evidence-based policy work that reflects the lived experiences of the families we support. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation and sector, you’ll inform decision-makers, respond to developments in the SEND landscape, and ensure that young people’s voices are at the heart of the change we seek.
We’re looking for a passionate and proactive policy professional who’s ready to help build something powerful – and lasting – at a critical time for SEND reform in the UK.
What you'll do
Policy & Influencing
- Develop accessible and compelling policy briefings, consultation responses, reports, speeches, and presentations for a range of stakeholders, including MPs, government officials, and sector partners.
- Translate complex ideas into clear, persuasive communications that support positive change.
- Collaborate with our Youth Voice Manager to ensure our policy positions reflect the real experiences of the young people and families we support.
- Help deliver and monitor our policy and influencing strategy in collaboration with the Head of Policy, Voice and Influencing.
Research & Evidence
- Carry out high-quality research and analysis from both internal and external sources.
- Centre the experiences and insights of disabled children, young people, and their families in policy solutions
- Monitor policy developments across the SEND landscape and lead on timely, evidence-led responses.
- Track progress against our influencing goals and ensure our actions remain targeted and impactful.
Engagement & Relationship Building
- Build strong relationships with decision-makers across government and the public sector.
- Support the Head of Policy, Voice and Influencing to plan and deliver our strategic external engagement plan in order to focus and drive our wider influencing work
- Represent Kids at meetings and events, including engaging MPs, civil servants, and other key influencers.
- Work closely with internal teams and front-line colleagues to ensure our influencing work is grounded in practice and informed by those delivering services.
Collaboration & Strategic Partnerships
- Work alongside the Head of Policy, Voice and Influencing and Youth Voice Manager to deliver our external engagement strategy including deputising at meetings when required.
- Support collaboration across teams to bring in parent, carer, and young person voices.
- Contribute to external coalitions and alliances – attending meetings, aligning with others’ work, and championing Kids' policy priorities.
What you'll bring
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in a policy role and demonstrable experience of using policy and evidence to influence outcomes– ideally within the disability sector.
- Strong understanding of the SEND system and related policies and legislation (through lived or professional experience).
- Excellent writing skills – able to craft persuasive policy briefings, consultation responses, and reports with clarity and purpose.
- Confident communicator, able to engage a range of audiences in person and in writing.
- Strong research and analytical skills – able to sift through evidence and develop insight-driven policy recommendations.
- Ability to build and manage relationships with senior stakeholders and external partners.
- Highly organised, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Passionate about inclusion, equity, and social justice – with a strong motivation to elevate the voices of disabled children and young people.
Why work at Kids?
We’re a mission-driven organisation, building a fairer world where all children have the opportunity to flourish. You’ll join a growing team in a pivotal role, helping to shape the future of policy and advocacy at Kids.
We’re committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We’re especially keen to hear from people with lived experience of disability or SEND, either personally or within your family or community.
Ready to create change that counts?
Apply now and help us influence a better, more inclusive future for disabled children and young people.
Note: We may close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Please apply promptly
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Mary’s Meals is a global movement supported by people from all walks of life and we are focused on one goal – that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in their place of education. We are currently reaching over 2.6 million children every school day, across 16 countries.
We are recruiting for a dynamic, visionary leader to join us as Director of Strategic Initiatives – a vital role in helping us grow our global movement. Reporting to our Chief Growth Officer, you’ll lead a talented team responsible for designing and delivering bold new strategies to increase revenue and build long-term, sustainable income growth and grow the strength of our National Affiliate network.
You will:
- Drive a programme of high-impact, global initiatives, from new fundraising products and digital solutions to youth and faith engagement strategies.
- Provide expert support and coaching to Executive Directors leading National Affiliates across the world.
- Guide strategic planning and change programmes with measurable outcomes, clear delivery plans and a deep focus on stewardship.
- Lead and inspire a high-performing team of specialists focused on audience insights, product development and market expansion.
- Collaborate closely with senior leadership across our global family to ensure alignment, shared learning and sustainable growth.
- Support the development of effective governance, technology and safeguarding practices across affiliates.
- Act as a trusted advisor to the MMI Executive Leadership Team and contribute regularly at the highest levels of decision-making.
About you:
You will bring significant senior-level experience in strategy, programme leadership, and/or business development – ideally in a global or multi-entity context within the charity sector.
- A strong track record of driving income growth and leading successful change initiatives.
- Experience working across cultures, with the ability to influence, inspire and build trust in diverse settings.
- A sharp focus on what works in fundraising, product innovation and audience engagement – particularly in the context of international development.
- Experience collaborating closely with technology teams to deliver digital and tech-enabled solutions.
- Proven leadership and coaching experience, with the ability to build high-performing teams and work with autonomy, agility and purpose.
Most of all, you’ll be motivated by our mission and ready to play a key role in helping us reach the next child waiting for Mary’s Meals.
About us:
We believe in the innate goodness of people, respect the dignity of every human being and family life and believe in good stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. In line with our values, Mary’s Meals is fully committed to a culture of safeguarding. Mary’s Meals is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work and we expect all the Mary's Meals family to share this commitment and work in the best interest of the communities we serve. Our safe recruitment practices ensure that only those that are committed to our high standards join our movement.
Salary advertised is for UK based candidates, our salary philosophy ensures consistency across locations where Mary’s Meals operates, please reach out for more information on salary & benefits if you are based outside the UK.
To apply:
If you are inspired to join our movement and our vision, mission and values resonate with you, we would love to hear from you. To apply, please click below to send your CV and a short covering note (no more than 1 page) telling us why you are a great fit for this role and why you would like to work for Mary’s Meals International.
Our vision is that every child receives one daily meal in their place of education.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.