Development leader jobs in Bristol
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: 4 days per week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £32,216.00 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:
-
Paid supervision for 1.5 hours per month, with an external clinical supervisor
-
Line management for 1 hour per month
-
Training budget of £500 per year to spend on relevant training of that person’s choice
-
Optional private counselling for up to twelve sessions per year with an external counsellor of that person’s choice
-
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:
-
Run two Active Recovery groups a week, with , with the help of the Practitioner.
-
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.
-
Create safety plans and tailor activity sessions where appropriate after building relationships with members following the initial phone calls.
-
Plan trauma-informed sessions for members, including producing risk assessments for each activity, visiting activity locations and delivering relevant trauma training to activity providers.
-
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.
-
Provide trauma-informed face-to-face support to members at sessions who may become overwhelmed or require help dealing with flashbacks and dissociation.
-
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.
-
Participate in and support the recruitment and induction training of volunteers.
-
Support and line manage a team of volunteers.
-
Develop and maintain an Active Recovery community through email, phone calls, texts and in person.
-
Develop and drive forward the project’s aim to have the members’ voices at the heart of the project.
-
Collaborate with developing outcome processes in line with the Southmead Project and its funders’ requirements.
-
Analyse data and feedback collected through outcomes processes to adapt and constantly improve the planning and delivery of the project sessions.
-
Contribute content for reports as required.
-
Build and maintain positive relationships with partnership organisations for the project.
-
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.
-
Record data accurately and in a timely manner on Oasis.
-
Produce social media and website posts about the project, including producing and editing videos.
-
Attend monthly one-to-one line management meetings with the Head of Active Recovery.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Follow the Southmead Project policies, procedures and professional code of conduct as outlined in the Staff Handbook.
-
All members of staff, paid and unpaid, are required to undergo the enhanced level of Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Person Specification
ESSENTIAL
-
Full drivers licence and access to own transport.
-
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.
-
A sound understanding of the issues affecting members who have experienced trauma and abuse.
-
Experience in managing projects.
-
Excellent administration and organisational skills, including experience of managing sensitive personal information.
-
Experience of and confidence in using multiple computer and case management systems.
-
At least 2 years’ experience of delivering groups in the community, preferably activity based.
-
At least 1 year’s experience of providing face-to-face support for survivors of abuse.
-
The ability to arrange group activities and liaise with other local organisations to help plan them.
-
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.
-
The ability to work flexibly within a team and support those within it.
-
Experience in managing volunteers.
-
Knowledge and awareness of how particular activities and social situations could improve people’s self-esteem, self-confidence, build friendships and reduce their isolation.
-
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.
-
Experience in managing a long-term budget.
-
Knowledge of survivors’ voice work.
-
To be able to attend monthly one-to-one line management meetings and monthly clinical supervision.
-
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:
-
Experience of building and maintaining positive partnerships in the community.
-
Experience of running a community based project.
-
Experience of setting up processes for survivors’ voice work.
-
Knowledge of making content for social media, including video recording and editing skills.
-
Experience managing recruitment and training.
-
Experience in chairing meetings and the ability to plan and review activities with a team.
-
Experience designing outcomes processes and collecting outcomes data.
-
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.
Registered Charity
11 - 20
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.
Thank you!
Are you an experienced leader with a passion for delivering high-quality advice and driving meaningful change? Join Shelter Scotland as our Head of Services and be a part of the Community & Services Management Team, playing a key role in shaping and delivering our Strategic Plan.
About the role
This post is responsible for the management and development of the Housing Law Service, the Telephone & Online Advice Services and the Central Support team within Community & Services. Collaboration and joined up working are vital to effectively support the delivery of the Shelter Scotland Strategic Plan.
Role specifics
As Head of Services, you’ll share responsibility for leading Shelter Scotland’s Community & Services department, helping to develop and deliver our annual operational plan in line with our Strategic Plan. You’ll work across teams to deliver key projects and programmes, ensure strong governance, quality and compliance, and use evidence and insight from our services to drive improvement and influence change. You’ll jointly lead high-quality advice services, take shared responsibility for safeguarding, manage budgets effectively and support income generation by building strong internal relationships and contributing to compelling cases for support.
Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About the team
Shelter Scotland is a one of six Directorates of Shelter. Led by the Director of Shelter Scotland, the Directorate comprises two departments: Community & Services and Communications & Advocacy. Both departments are led by an Assistant Director.
About Shelter Scotland
Shelter Scotland is Scotland’s national housing and homelessness charity. Our vision is of a home for everyone in Scotland. For over 50 years, the way we drive change has remained the same. We advise and support people in housing need today and use the insight we gain to inform our campaigns to change tomorrow. We also raise professional standards for those working in Scotland’s housing and homelessness sector by offering a broad range of training courses.
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday thousands of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter Scotland. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
Safeguarding statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter Scotland is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter Scotland does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
This role will lead and deliver two projects, the Net Zero Carbon (NZC) Young Adult Voices Project, and the General Synod Young Voices project, across which it will engage with a wide variety of young people.
The Net Zero Carbon Young Adult Voices project recognises that action to tackle climate change, as part of the wider environmental crisis, is important for young people, and responds to the fact that the NZC programme is not currently strategically engaging with these groups.
This project will involve:
- gathering the voices of young adults (18-30) to enable them to influence the direction of the programme and the Church's wider Environment Programme, ensuring their voice is heard at all levels of the Programme, and informs decision-making.
- communicating what the NZC programme is doing, to raise awareness amongst young people of the CofE's commitment to being a NZC church with these audiences, and to enable pathways for them to become involved in decarbonisation and other environmental projects at the local level.
- work with diocesan colleagues to enable the voices of young people to exercise leadership influence on NZC at a Diocesan level, as appropriate.
Important to the success of this role will be engaging with departments and stakeholders across the Church of England, to ensure this work sits within the broader context of the priority to be a church which is younger and more diverse.
As this is a new project and a new role, the postholder will help to shape the role. The initial focus will be to develop a NZC Young Adult Voices Strategy and Plan for sign-off by the NZC Programme Board, and then to work through delivery of this. This will need to consider the theology, mission and action that will engage and connect with young people - particularly exploring how we root this work in the spirituality and theology that is relevant for a younger audience.
The General Synod Young Voices project follows two motions passed at General Synod (in July 2024 and February 2025) committing General Synod to listening and responding to the voices of children, young people and young adults in every subsequent session. This project involves gathering the voices through schools, churches and Dioceses and enabling children and young people to speak and present each session at General Synod. In addition, it involves working with a group of young adults drawn from every diocese to run a programme of faith and leadership development that enables them to speak into General Synod at a national level, and exercise leadership influence at a Diocesan level as appropriate.
This is a fixed-term role until December 2028, with potential to extend, dependent on 29-31 Triennium Funding.
Responsibilities
Leading the General Synod Young Voices project
Developing robust processes and strategies for gathering the voices of children, young people and young adults
Overseeing the engagement of children, young people and young adults at forthcoming General Synod sessions, supporting them to contribute regularly and effectively in a range of agenda items
Raising up the voice of Children and Young People from all under-represented groups, making a significant contribution to the Church of England's vision to become more diverse.
Working with the Head of Younger Leaders, Executive Director of Education and the General Synod Business Committee to ensure that engagement is well planned and implemented
Create mechanisms for young adults from across every Diocese, to contribute to and experience General Synod
Equipping, supporting and enabling co-opted young adult members of General Synod
Edit video and audio content for effective dissemination through wider networks
Leading the NZC Young Adult Voices Project
Develop and deliver NZC Young Adult Voices Strategy and Plan which includes:
Developing robust processes and strategies for gathering the voices of young adults and making sure they are heard internally within the Church and also in the public square.
Overseeing the engagement of young adults with NZC Programme board meetings, supporting them to contribute regularly and effectively in a range of agenda items.
Raising up the voice of young adults from all under-represented groups making a significant contribution to the Church of England's vision to become more diverse.
Create mechanisms to report back the work of the NZC programme to young adults, including developing an effective communications and engagement approach which responds to their needs, with the NZC Comms Lead.
Equipping, supporting and enabling young adults to engage with, develop, or lead environmental action in their churches and diocese
Work with the NZC Programme Director, NZC Programme Manager and the National Environmental Policy Officer to progress this project, and more broadly with the NZC Programme Workstream leads across the NCIs
Support the NZC Programme Team in its communications and reporting work to General Synod and other key bodies from time to time (e.g. Archbishops' Council, Church Commissioners Board of Trustees)
Working effectively with environment programme networks in dioceses
Work with the NZC Comms Lead to effectively disseminate case studies, resources and tools through wider networks and social media
Both:
- Modelling and implementing the highest standards of safeguarding in every aspect of the work, working with other safeguarding leads with NSE, National Safeguarding Team and external stakeholders' safeguarding provision
- Encouraging leaders in dioceses to adopt similar strategies for prioritising the voices of Children and Young People, through liaison with children and youth advisors and DBE teams
- Working effectively across teams within the NCIs
- Collaboration with the Growing Faith Voice Specialist
About You
Essential
Knowledge/Experience
- Successful leadership experience within either church or school settings
- Experience of using effective strategies to enable the voice of children, young people and young adults to be heard
- Experience of enabling the agency and the voice of children and young people
- Experience of enabling children, young people and young adults to effect institutional change
- Experience in establishing good relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
- Experience in developing a strategic approach to engaging and working with young people
- Good understanding of the current church landscape
- Good understanding of environmental issues, and the climate and nature crises, ideally within a Christian context
- Personally committed to and passionate about changing the culture of the Church of England
Skills & Abilities:
- Understand the safeguarding requirements around listening and responding to Children and Young People
- Understand the importance of data protection
- Passionate about the potential for children, young people and young adults to shape the direction of the Church
- Ability to engage and communicate well with a wide range of stakeholders, including writing and presentations online and in person
- Ability to evaluate, analyse and reflect on a range of data sources
- Firm commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
- Great team player
- Self-starter, able to use own initiative and be proactive
- Able to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and complex deadlines
- Engaging presentation and facilitation skills with large and small groups, both virtually and face-to-face
- Innovative, creative and responsive to feedback
- Competent in Microsoft Office packages, video and audio editing software (e.g. Clipchamp and Audacity etc.) and Zoom
Desirable
Knowledge/Experience:
- Experience managing regional/national level projects with significant numbers of stakeholders
- High competence in public speaking to larger audiences
Registered Charity
101 - 500
The Church of England’s vocation is and always has been to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ afresh in each generation to the people of England.
Thank you!
Job Title: Assistant Director of Philanthropy & Strategic Partnership
Reporting To: Deputy CEO/Director of Fundraising and Communications
Manages: Head of Trusts and Foundations, Head of Corporate Partnerships
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time (36 hours per week, flexible)
Salary band: £58,000 - £66,000 per annum
N.B. To ensure fairness and consistency across Home-Start UK, new colleagues usually join at the first point of the pay band for their role. This helps us maintain a clear and equitable approach to pay for everyone joining our team.
Location: Remote – with regular travel to meetings with donors, for events and to our central office in Leicester for collaborative meetings and team activities.
About Home-Start UK
Home-Start is a federated charity consisting of a central national office – Home-Start UK - and over 170 geographically dispersed local Home-Start organisations, all working together under the same identity.
We recognise that being a parent has never been easy. Every Home-Start volunteer is trained to work alongside parents to overcome the challenges they are facing. We work with parents to build on their strengths and give them the support that they tell us they need. We offer no judgement – just compassionate, confidential help and expert support. This peer-to-peer support is key to the difference Home-Start makes and often our volunteers have lived experience of the challenges their families are facing themselves.
About The Role
This is an important moment for us and for the families we support. Parents of babies and young children are facing huge pressures, and strong, values-driven partnerships matter more than ever. We’re looking for a senior leader who can help us meet this moment with confidence and ambition.
As Assistant Director of Philanthropy & Strategic Partnerships, you will help shape the future of our national work and support our federation of 170+ local Home-Starts working in communities across the UK. You will lead a talented team, build long-lasting relationships, and help make sure Home-Start has the funding, partnerships, and influence it needs to give every child the best possible start in life. This role will suit someone who is motivated by purpose, who values people and relationships, and who is comfortable working across a large and varied network.
We are looking for someone with a strong track record, someone who has already delivered high-value fundraising and partnerships at a senior level and is ready to take on a role with significant national influence. With responsibility for an annual income portfolio of circa £4 Million – with strong potential to grow this over the next 3-5 years to between £6Million-£8Million plus, you will work with a supportive Leadership Team and Board, who have already engaged external philanthropy expertise to develop a strategy and roadmap that you can build on. You’ll need to be confident working with high-value supporters: able to build trust, communicate clearly, and nurture long-term relationships with people who want to invest in families and early years support. You’ll bring the skills and confidence to grow a portfolio that is already strong and take it further, along with the ability to work well with others in a fast-moving environment.
You will be joining a warm, collaborative organisation that believes in the power of community, the strength of families, and the importance of early help. If you feel excited by the chance to make a national difference, to build partnerships based on trust and shared purpose, and to help shape the next chapter of Home-Start’s impact, we would be delighted to hear from you.
The people at Home-Start are its most important resource. Home-Start UK has been accredited with Investors in People since March 2005, which recognises the commitment we give to developing our staff.
Benefits of working for Home-Start
- Flexible working
- Family friendly policy
- PayCare health cash plan
- Enhanced employer contribution pension
- Learning and development
- DAS Employee Assistance
If it sounds like your type of challenge, we would be delighted to hear from you.
The closing date for applications is Friday 27th March at 4pm.
As part of our recruitment process, shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a full-day assessment centre at our Leicester office on Tuesday 14th April.
The assessment centre will include a mix of individual and group activities designed to understand your strategic thinking, relational approach, and leadership style.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
Home-Start UK is committed to Equality of Opportunity and Diversity. We wish to encourage applications from all parts of the community irrespective of gender, race, colour, age, sexual orientation or disability.
No agencies please.
Thank you!
Join Kaleidoscope Trust as our Communications and Events Officer and help bring global LGBTI+ advocacy to life.
Kaleidoscope Trust (KT) is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to advancing the rights of LGBTI+ people internationally. Founded in 2011, we aim to create a world where all LGBTI+ individuals are free, safe and equal.
We are looking for a Communications and Events Officer to help support powerful storytelling and strategic communications that amplify the voices and priorities of our partners around the world.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is organised, creative, and motivated by social justice to play a hands-on role across communications, events, and stakeholder engagement. You will work across a range of high-impact projects, including supporting the delivery of the Global LGBTI+ Rights Commission and key advocacy and partnership events.
If you’re keen to grow your skills while contributing to a collaborative and mission-driven team, we would love to hear from you. Download the full job description for full details and information on how to apply.
Salary: £35,150 per annum plus pension
Location: Remote (UK-based), with occasional travel
Closing date: Monday 16 March 2026, 23:59 (London time)
Interviews: Week commencing 16 March 2026
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.