Engagement and communications officer jobs in northallerton, north yorkshire

About Small Woods Association

Small Woods Association is the UK’s leading charity promoting sustainable woodland management, social, environmental and economic benefits of small woodlands. We support woodland owners, deliver hands-on training in woodland skills, and run wellbeing programmes that connect people with nature through woodlands.

As a national charity we are seeking a committed Philanthropy and Partnership Coordinator with UK-wide knowledge of charitable income generation models, to strengthen relationships with funders, supporters and stakeholders—helping secure the resources and recognition needed to expand our impact.

Purpose of the Role

This role plays a key part in advancing Small Woods’ sustainability by:

• Securing philanthropic support through grants, trusts, and donors.
• Building and nurturing strategic partnerships with supporters, funders, sponsors, and networks.
• Promoting the charity’s work through digital outreach and storytelling to engage members and stakeholders.

You will work closely with the CEO and delivery teams to align income generation with the charity’s mission and priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Philanthropy & Fundraising (Approx. 2 days/week)

• Identify and pursue funding opportunities from UK-based trusts, foundations, public sector schemes and corporate sponsors.
• Write compelling grant applications for projects focused on woodland innovation, social prescribing, education, and conservation.
• Steward funder relationships, ensuring timely reporting, compliance, and meaningful engagement.
• Collaborate with internal teams to shape fundable project proposals with measurable outcomes and clear budgets.
• Support development of earned income streams, such as training, consultancy, and membership, by identifying and promoting opportunities.

Partnerships & Outreach

• Develop and manage partnerships with philanthropic donors, environmental organisations, and community networks.
• Coordinate cross-sector collaborations to support long-term funding and awareness.
• Represent the charity at relevant events, building networks and advocating for Small Woods’ mission.

Marketing (Approx. 1 day/week)

• Plan and deliver digital campaigns to promote income generation related initiatives, membership services, events and impact stories.
• Maintain and update website content to reflect income generation related current activities and opportunities.
• Create high-quality materials, including items for the newsletters, case studies, reports and social media content.
• Support member engagement by helping grow and connect our network of woodland supporters, volunteers and stakeholders.
• Ensure consistency of brand and messaging across all platforms and materials.

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience in grant writing and fundraising for charitable organisations.
• Strong understanding of the UK charitable funding environment.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Confident in digital marketing, including social media, websites, and email campaigns.
• Highly organised, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple priorities remotely.
• Passion for environmental or community-based work.

Desirable

• Experience developing strategic partnerships or sponsorships.
• Skills in visual content creation (design, photography, video).
• Experience with CRM systems or donor databases.
• Interest in sustainable woodland management, nature-based wellbeing, or outdoor learning.

Working Conditions

• Remote work with flexible hours.
• Occasional travel to Telford or other UK sites.
• Equipment and support for home working provided.
• Collaboration via online platforms and video calls.

What We Offer

• Flexible working arrangements and supportive culture.
• 25 days holiday pro rata + bank holidays.
• Pension contribution.
• Opportunity to help shape the future of people and woodland wellbeing across the UK.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a short cover letter (max 2 pages) outlining your suitability.

Interviews to be held 18 August 2025 (via Teams or in person where possible)

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.

National Numeracy supports volunteers from our corporate partners to deliver sessions in primary schools
that inspire children to see the value of maths in the real world. The Programme enables volunteers to
directly support communities with low number confidence and skills, celebrating everyday maths, and
developing the building blocks of social mobility in areas of need.

The new Programmes Assistant will work with the Volunteering Manager and wider Programmes Team to
deliver this exciting Programme. The role will involve working with internal team members and external
partners to assist with delivery, including recruitment of volunteers and schools, training of volunteers,
resource delivery and preparation, feedback, data collection and associated admin. The Programmes
Assistant will be the first point of contact for volunteers, schools and partner organisations.

We are looking for someone who is flexible and able to respond to the fast-paced work around the busiest
periods of the year for the Programme. It’s not imperative that you come from the education or charity
sectors, or that you have held an equivalent role previously, as long as you can show us that you have
relevant transferable skills and an understanding of what it takes to be successful in this role.

National Numeracy is based in Falmer, just outside Brighton, but we are offering significant remote/hybrid
and flexible working with this role. The role may include occasional UK travel, to visit schools, partner
organisations, attend occasional Team Awaydays, and very occasionally to visit the office.