Community support worker jobs in balham, greater london

ShareAction is an independent charity and an expert on responsible investment. We work to build a world where the financial system serves our planet and its people. We set ambitious standards for how financial institutions, through their investment decisions, can protect our planet and its people and campaign for this approach to become the norm. We convene shareholders to collectively push companies to tackle the climate crisis, protect nature, improve workers’ rights and shape healthier societies. In the UK and EU, we advocate for financial regulation that has society’s best interests at its core.

What you’ll do

Since 2019, we have been building a cross-cutting thematic programme using our investor accountability, corporate engagement and public policy toolkit to build a movement to harness the power of the investment system to address commercial determinants of health.

In 2022, we launched Long-Term Investors in People’s Health (LIPH), a cross-cutting programme of work leveraging our toolkit of investor accountability, corporate engagement and policy advocacy. It is one of ShareAction’s largest programmes. Since the launch of LIPH, we have run high-profile campaigns to get large food manufacturers and retailers to improve their health disclosures and sell healthier products via our Healthy Markets Initiative (HMI); recently set up a Clean Air Initiative (CAI); mobilised investors to engage with corporates, the UK government, and standard-setting bodies on issues such as clean air and sick leave policies; and partnered with academics to grow the evidence base on the financial materiality of health. We have ambitious plans to take this work forward and are looking for a new Head of the team to help us do so.

As Head of Health, you will:

• Oversee and contribute to the successful implementation of ShareAction’s strategy to tackle poor health via its LIPH programme, a cross-cutting programme of work leveraging our toolkit of investor accountability, corporate engagement and policy advocacy.
• Lead and motivate a team of 10 staff members and directly line manage at least three of them.
• Ensure adequate risk management and monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes are in place.
• Together with the Fundraising team and Co-Director of Corporate Engagement, be responsible for securing funding for the LIPH programme, including writing funding bids, supporting with relationship management, supporting the coordination of our Funders’ Governance Group, and helping produce update reports.
• Plan, manage and report on budget for the LIPH programme, delegating workstream and campaign budgets where there are appropriate leads.
• Develop and nurture strategic relationships with senior external stakeholders, including funders, journalists, investors, and civil society organisations.
• Act as one of ShareAction’s subject matter experts on commercial determinants of health, keeping your knowledge up to date with developments across academia, civil society, and public policy.
• Act as a media spokesperson for the team and represent it in internal and external forums.
• Work with peers at the “Head of” level to play a leadership role across ShareAction.

If this role sounds like something that would build on your current skill set and engage you, we’d love to hear from you!

What you’ll bring to the team

• Passionate about harnessing the power of the financial system to address poor health across the commercial determinants of health.
• Excellent organisation and project management skills, with demonstrable experience leading ambitious programmes of work.
• Great team player with experience of building, managing and leading a high-performing team based on mutual trust, respect and inclusion and providing mentoring support to more junior members of staff.
• A strategic mindset.
• Comfortable with working autonomously, setting priorities, managing workload and driving delivery against objectives for yourself and your team.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to flex style according to your audience.
• Experience building relationships at a senior level with stakeholders across the private and public sectors, with the ability to understand a range of perspectives and to influence with respect and diplomacy.
• Strong professional knowledge and understanding of the commercial determinants of health and/or of responsible investment.

It would be desirable for you to have:

• Substantial experience leading and/or feeding into an advocacy campaign.
• Previous experience securing philanthropic funding for programmes of work.
• Experience managing budgets.
• Experience speaking directly to the media and representing an organisational position.
• Proficiency with common office software, including Microsoft Office, Outlook, SharePoint, Cascade, and Salesforce.

What we will do for you

We are a fast-paced organisation that has grown substantially over the past few years. We recognise that our people work hard to advocate for responsible investment and drive meaningful engagement with those who have the power to create a brighter future. Every day, they bring their expertise, passion and persistence to build a world where the financial system serves our people and planet. We want to ensure we provide an environment for our colleagues to thrive.

Currently, we are pleased to offer:

• A commitment to flexible working: over 60% of our employees have some sort of flexible working arrangement in place, well above the average for UK workplaces.
• Hybrid working: we are committed to supporting our staff to work in a way that suits their lifestyle and meets the requirements of their role.
• Internal promotion and development opportunities: we offer a range of ways to improve your skills and focus on what you love, including promotion, secondment, or sideways development opportunities. For some levels of roles, we also offer direct progression.
• A unionised work environment: our staff have the opportunity to join the union and are supported by our recognised union, Unite. We regularly consult and negotiate with our employees on workplace matters ranging from working conditions to pay.
• Regular in-person meetings, including all-staff away days, retreats and directorate strategy days to create connected teams.
• An 8% non-contributory pension invested with NEST, who make a range of options available.
• A healthcare cash plan that gives you money back on your healthcare costs.
• An employee assistance programme: advice and support, lifestyle discounts and short-term counselling.
• 25 days’ annual leave plus office closure at the end of the year, ensuring everyone gets time to switch off together.
• Enhanced family leave pay: up to 18 weeks paid at 90% for either parent.
• Enhanced sick pay starting at 5 weeks’ full pay from day 1.
• Season ticket loan and cycle-to-work scheme.

We have a formal hybrid working policy in place. As Head of the team, we expect that you will work from the office at least every Tuesday if you are based in London and at least two Tuesdays a month if you are based outside of London. The team holds its weekly meetings on Tuesday morning.

ShareAction values and respects all differences in people (seen and unseen) and welcomes applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries. We are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences and abilities, and we are working hard to provide an environment where all can bring their authentic selves to work. We know that some people won’t apply for a role unless they meet all the requirements listed in the job description. If this is the case for you, but you think you would excel in this role, we want to hear from you!

For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the Apply button.

Closing date: 9am on Monday, 18 August 2025.
First-round interviews: w/c 25 August 2025.
Second-round interviews: w/c 8 September 2025.
Informal meeting with the team: w/c 15 September 2025. 

To be considered for this post, you must be legally eligible to work in the UK; unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship.

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.

Today, 12 children and young people will be diagnosed with cancer. We’ll stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.  ​

• Home-based, with regular travel to London and Bristol
• Closing date: 11 August 2025
• Interview date: w/c 18 August 2025 

Change lives in a life-changing career

When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.

The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer. We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. And we stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.

We challenge the systems and policies that surround children and young people, we highlight gaps and campaign for change. Because we know what a better future could look like. And we know what we need to do to make that future a reality. We need to push harder, reach further and work smarter. And we need the right people on our team to help us get there. People like you.

About the role

We’re looking for a Digital Marketing Officer with paid advertising and organic social media experience to join our Digital team.

As Digital Marketing Officer, you’ll be responsible for creating email marketing campaigns, running paid advertising activity and creating content across organic social channels to help teams across the organisation hit their objectives. You’ll be joining our friendly and expert Digital Engagement Team. 

You’ll have previous experience managing email and paid marketing campaigns, creating content for social channels and using digital platforms including Meta Business Manager, Email Service Providers and GA4. 

You will champion the voices of children and young people with cancer, and their families in everything you do.

This role is subject to a criminal record check. In the event of a successful application a basic criminal record check will be completed.

What will I be doing?

No two days are the same at Young Lives vs Cancer. So, summarising your ‘day to day’ isn’t easy. Here are some of the main things you’ll be doing, but you’ll find more details in the job description.

Email responsibilities

• Deliver end-to-end email campaigns including briefing, copywriting, creation in Dotdigital, send and evaluation 

Paid responsibilities 

• Deliver paid digital marketing campaigns in-house including running virtual challenge ads in Meta – working with the Product Lead to design the campaign plan, draft the copy, build in-platform, optimise and evaluate 
• Assist with paid advertising campaigns run by our digital media agency, ensuring they have clear briefs, assets are provided on-time and campaigns are delivered to plan

General Digital Marketing responsibilities

• Be part of the team’s social media monitoring rota and moderate our social channels - ensuring comments are appropriately handled in line with the social media policy
• Create and schedule content across organic social channels to support key campaigns 
• Monitor the impact of marketing campaigns reporting on KPIs and metrics using digital marketing tools including GA4, Lookerstudio, Meta Business Manager, Google Ads and Bing Ads in-platform reporting

What do I need? 

Diverse perspectives and unique skillsets are at the heart of Young Lives vs Cancer. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet the criteria and person specification fully. Your potential is what matters most to us, and we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment to help you develop.

The key skills we’re looking for in this role are: 

• Managing marketing campaigns across digital channels including email, paid media and organic social. 
• Creating content for digital channels, including email, paid ads and organic social posts. 
• Using an ESP to deliver end-to-end email campaigns and writing, building, sending and evaluating results (eg Dotdigital); experience building automations and implementing tests.
• Building and optimising paid advertising campaigns in Meta Business Manager. Desirable experience of running campaigns in TikTok Ads Manager and Google Ads Manager.
• Using GA4 to effectively track and measure campaign performance
• Using a social channel management tool (eg. Hootsuite).
• Using a CMS (eg. Wordpress) to build campaign pages 

What will I gain?

For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:

• Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
• Wellbeing, Thinking & Growth Days: four days a year to to step back from the day-to-day and focus on your own learning and development
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Great family/caring leave entitlements
• Enhanced pension
• Access to our employee savings scheme

To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.

We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. CVs can be uploaded, but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history sections of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.

Accessibility

We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible.Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.

To arrange an informal chat, please contact Tommy Beattie.

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