Family support practice manager jobs in Spennymoor, county durham
The postholders will work with the Area Engagement and Partnership Managers to identify, communicate and engage with the range of voluntary sector organisations working with individuals and their families within the CJS ensuring Clinks provides effective support to help voluntary organisations better meet their aims. To enable Clinks to share information about the sector with HMPPS and other stakeholders.
They will also work closely with the National Influencing and Networks Team.
It is essential for the postholder to be based within, and have strong knowledge of the geographical area they will be covering.
Please visit our websiter for more information about our area based work.
Please note: Clinks would welcome the opportunity to discuss potential secondments from locally or regionally based voluntary organisations.
About Clinks
Clinks supports, promotes and represents the voluntary sector working with people in the criminal justice system and their families.
Our vision is of a vibrant, independent and resilient voluntary sector that enables people to transform their lives.
Job purpose
To identify, communicate and engage with the range of voluntary sector organisations working with individuals and their families within the CJS across a geographical area ensuring Clinks provides effective support to help voluntary organisations better meet their aims. To enable Clinks to share information about the sector with HMPPS and other stakeholders
Job summary
These roles will increase awareness and understanding of the criminal justice voluntary sector operating within East of England and the South Central & South West. The post holder will undertake an initial analysis project to identify place-based voluntary sector organisations and the range of and types of services and support provided to people in contact with the criminal justice system and their families. They will identify place-based needs and lead on the collation and sharing of information across the Clinks team and with stakeholders, to highlight the challenges and opportunities. The post holder will need to build new, and nurture existing relationships, with key partners and a range of agencies across sectors.
The post will work within the Area Engagement & Partnerships Directorate and with other Clinks’ staff to identify new members and engagement opportunities, deliver events and training, and provide opportunities to support the capacity and capability needs of the voluntary sector, with a focus on place-based small and specialist organisations working in the CJS.
The post will deliver activity to meet funder requirements, aims and objectives.
Reports to: Area Engagement and Partnerships Manager
Responsible for: N/A
1. Duties and key responsibilities
Area Engagement and Impact
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Identify and increase awareness of voluntary sector organisations based in the East of England and the South Central & South West, the range of and types of services and support provided to people in contact with the criminal justice system and their families, where they deliver and how they are funded.
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Understand the work of local and regional voluntary sector infrastructure organisations in a the East of England or South Central /South West to strengthen the support offered by Clinks and increase partnership working and collaboration.
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Work alongside the National Influencing & Networks team to use this intelligence to influence key decision making at a local and national level.
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Gather intelligence from the sector to identify and understand the needs of place-based organisations and share feedback with HMPPS and other key stakeholders to develop operational processes and influence future commissioning opportunities.
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Provide support to voluntary sector organisations, keeping the sector informed and up to date and capturing the support provided and its impact.
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Respond to requests from voluntary sector organisations in need of support and signpost or consider what assistance Clinks (and others) can provide.
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Work alongside the Area Insights and Impact Officer to capture the needs of the sector and influence and inform future activity.
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Provide regular area specific communications to organisations utilising Clinks communication channels to share good practice, resources and publications.
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Produce regular blogs, case studies and social media activity to showcase the work of place-based voluntary sector organisations.
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Develop and build upon existing place-based networks to support collaboration and co-ordination between the voluntary, statutory, and private sectors in the criminal justice system.
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Provide information to help statutory partners and key stakeholders to understand the voluntary sector, its structures and how to work with it.
External Relationships
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Identify and explore opportunities to develop relationships with area-specific agencies working within criminal justice including Probation, Prisons and local statutory agencies to increase knowledge of locally based voluntary sector services and establish, and embed Clinks’ support
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Provide representation at various meetings, both internally and externally with partners and stakeholders.
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Work collaboratively to ensure effective information flow across directorates and to and from the sector and stakeholders
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Develop relationships with regional and local infrastructure organisations to widen Clinks reach and identify joint working opportunities.
2. General responsibilities
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Represent and be an ambassador for Clinks
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Work to support the mission, ethos, and values of Clinks
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Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop, or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position
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Support and promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace
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Work collaboratively with others in all aspects of our work
This job description does not form part of your contract of employment and can be amended from time to time as the needs of the organisation require.
Person specification
Experience, Skills and Abilities
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Significant experience of working or volunteering in the voluntary sector in the East of England
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Relationship building and management with a range of stakeholders and networks.
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Good attention to detail and ability to maintain effective records, utilising a range of different methods.
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Ability to think strategically about the voluntary criminal justice sector, and to analyse and respond to change.
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Ability to prioritise, multi-task and work under pressure, juggling a busy and varied workload.
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Excellent IT and digital skills, including use of Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams and Zoom.
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Adaptability and flexibility in being able to deal with new situations quickly and efficiently.
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Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and spoken, and ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders, at all levels of seniority.
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Convening meetings, arranging and chairing events both in-person and online.
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Ability to support and coordinate a complex network of organisations including representing diverse views, and promoting their work and issues.
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A collaborative approach to working with colleagues but also able to work alone.
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Highly organised with good project and time management skills.
Knowledge
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Role of the voluntary sector in addressing social exclusion.
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The criminal justice context and related policy.
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Understanding the role of national and local infrastructure organisations
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An understanding of East of England geographical area
Personal attributes and other requirements
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Able to travel extensively across the East of England with occasional travel across England and Wales.
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Able to work evenings and weekends and stay away from home overnight where necessary.
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Work well as part of a small team and independently, with a flexible approach to work.
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Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities. An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.
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Commitment to the values and ethos of supporting people in the criminal justice system.
Thank you!
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!
Community Fundraiser - London
Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research?
Brain Tumour Research is seeking an experienced and motivated fundraiser to join our team. As a key part of our fundraising efforts in our high-performing East region, you will have the opportunity to drive income generation through a variety of initiatives, including challenge events, fundraising groups, and corporate partnerships such as charity of the year. You will also be responsible for driving initiatives to increase our profile and supporter base within London.
Key Responsibilities:
- Generate income across a range of community fundraising initiatives and events, with the opportunity to lead on key projects
- Steward supporters to help drive the charity’s fundraising activities and growth
- Work with the fundraising team to develop and maintain strong relationships with fundraisers, donors, partners, and key stakeholders
- Contribute towards the growth and success of fundraising efforts, ensuring a sustainable income stream for the vital ongoing funding of brain tumour research
Requirements:
- At least one year of fundraising experience, with a proven track record in income generation
- Strong experience in supporter stewardship
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire supporters and partners alike
- Passion for Brain Tumour Research and its mission to fund research and ultimately find a cure
If you are looking for a fulfilling and impactful role and have the level of experience and skill we are looking for, we welcome your application.
For this role, the successful candidate must live in the London area.
We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.
We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process. Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.
Closing Date: 04th January 2026
We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
To find a cure for all types of brain tumours To increase the UK investment in brain tumour research
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Prospectus is delighted to be partnering with our client in their recruitment of a new Health Information Officer, on a full-time, permanent basis. This is an exciting role for the organisation which offers flexibility, with the option to either be office-based, hybrid, or remote (condensed working will also be considered).
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease which is uncommon, complex and poorly understood. It affects the immune system and can cause lasting damage to the kidneys, skin, heart, lungs and/or brain. This organisation is the only national charity supporting people living with lupus and those that care for them. They hold an ambition for a world where people with lupus can live full and active lives and work hard to empower people by providing information about lupus and offering support so their voices are heard and their condition diagnosed and managed effectively. With 35 years of service, the charity is now embarking on an ambitious new strategy, aiming to broaden and deepen its reach across the lupus community.
Reporting up to the Health Information, Policy, and Research Manager, your role will focus on developing high quality, trustworthy, current and effective information resources for the lupus community. This will include evidence-based printed publications, web content, research summaries, videos, and other digital materials to support and empower everyone affected by lupus. You will work to ensure that health information meets the needs of people with lupus as well as their families, and is marketed, promoted, and disseminated effectively to people who need it, working closely with colleagues across the Community and Social Media teams, as well as with beneficiaries themselves.
To apply for this role, you will be a creative communicator, with demonstrable experience of communicating complex health, scientific, or research information in an accessible, engaging manner. You will have experience of developing information for a wide range of audiences and in a range of formats, including print, digital, video, or audio. You will also have experience of working directly with key stakeholders to co-develop information (including people living with health conditions, young people, healthcare professionals, and researchers). Overall, you will be collaborative, proactive individual, passionate about ensuring that health resources are tailored and accessible for all.
Please apply by submitting your CV in Word format (cover letters are not required at this stage). Successful candidates will be contacted and invited to provide a supporting statement.
Interviews to take place week commencing Monday 19th January.
As a specialist recruitment practice, we are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are invested in supporting you through your application journey.
Thank you!
Lead policy and research projects that shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. Join Belong and help create lasting change across the UK.
This is an exciting opportunity to take a pivotal role in delivering high-impact projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. As Belong enters its next phase of growth, we are determined to deepen our impact, strengthen our resilience, and champion cohesion and integration at scale.
About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation focused on building a more united and less divided society. Established in 2019, we work across sectors to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience in communities. Through research, policy influence, and place-based programmes, we connect people, places, and organisations to share learning and drive systemic change. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The Role
As Policy and Research Lead, you will design and deliver research and policy projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. You will produce high-quality outputs, translate evidence into actionable recommendations, and contribute to Belong’s thought leadership. This role combines strategic insight with hands-on delivery and offers the chance to shape national conversations on social cohesion.
Key Responsibilities
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Policy and Research Leadership
- Lead the design and delivery of policy and research projects, ensuring quality, relevance, and impact.
- Produce policy briefings, reports, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
- Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
- Ensure projects are inclusive, participatory, and informed by lived experience.
- Monitor policy developments and contribute to strategic positioning and horizon scanning.
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Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, researchers, funders, and sector leaders.
- Represent Belong at external meetings, events, and networks.
- Support collaborative research and policy initiatives with partners and commissioners.
- Contribute to dissemination of Belong’s work through events, media, and digital channels.
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Internal Collaboration
- Support the Director of Policy & Research in developing Belong’s policy influencing strategy.
- Contribute to organisational learning and cross-team collaboration.
- Assist with proposal development and funder engagement.
- Line manage junior staff or associates as required.
About You
We are seeking a strategic and thoughtful leader with:
- Proven experience in leading policy and applied research programmes.
- Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
- Strong analytical and writing skills.
- Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community development.
- Excellent project management and organisational abilities.
- Familiarity with participatory and inclusive research methods.
- Experience in income generation or bid development.
- Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or related field.
- Ability to translate complex ideas into accessible messages.
- Politically aware and intellectually curious.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
Personal Qualities
- Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
- Strategic and solutions-focused.
- Collaborative and inclusive.
- Practical, reliable, and detail-oriented.
- Committed to personal and professional development.
- Able to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:
- 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays)
- Hybrid working
- Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
Join us and help shape policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.
Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Location: Home Based with regular national travel
Since 1962 the National Autistic Society has been campaigning to transform lives, change attitudes and create a society that works for autistic people. In National Programmes we champion the rights and interests of autistic people and their families, making sure national policy and legislation to reflect their needs. We provide autism training and best practice services and want all autistic people to have access to services and support that fully meet their needs. We provide diagnostic services, training, accreditation, consultancy and conferences, designed to support all professionals and organisations.
The Supporter Fundraising team is responsible for managing and growing all supporter-led fundraising activity, including third-party challenge events, community fundraising, and our own portfolio of fundraising events. Together, our work generates over £1 million in income each year—vital funds that help the National Autistic Society achieve its mission: a society that works for autistic people.
Visit our website to find out more about who we are and what we do:
Who we are looking for:
We are seeking a proactive and creative Senior Events Fundraising Officer to join our dynamic team on a permanent basis.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about events fundraising and eager to take ownership of a diverse portfolio. You’ll play a key role in developing new fundraising events, supporting and inspiring colleagues, and delivering excellent supporter experiences that maximise income and impact.
The role will involve:
- Leading on a portfolio of owned and third-party fundraising events, including feasibility research, planning, marketing, participant recruitment, logistics, budgeting, and evaluation.
- Taking a lead role in the development of new fundraising events in collaboration with the Innovation Team, from research and proposals through to approval, delivery and evaluation.
- Providing first-class supporter care, ensuring participants feel valued and engaged, and that income and expenditure targets are met or exceeded.
- Working closely with marketing, press and PR colleagues to create and implement event promotion and communications plans, across both traditional and digital channels.
- Line managing and supporting Events Officers where appropriate, and deputising for the Events Fundraising Manager when required.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and event providers to ensure effective delivery and the best possible experience for supporters.
- Overseeing volunteer recruitment and stewardship plans to increase engagement and retention.
The successful candidate will bring:
- Experience of planning and delivering fundraising events, with proven ability to meet financial targets.
- Strong relationship-building skills, with confidence in working with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- A creative, innovative mindset and a passion for developing new fundraising opportunities.
- A commitment to delivering outstanding supporter care and improving supporter journeys.
This is a full-time, permanent role, for 35 hours per week. The salary for this position is £32,577 per year.
To view the full job description please click
What we can offer you:
- Auto-enrolled Pension Scheme
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Excellent induction, training and development programme including training about autism and opportunities to attend our conferences
- Online staff discount scheme for a range of benefits such as cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan & shopping discounts for places such as Asda, Tesco, Sainsburys, Halfords, Nike, Apple and loads more!
- Healthcare Cash Plan
- Life Assurance at 2 x base salary
- A portfolio of fantastic new salary sacrifices benefits and other flexible benefits private health, dental insurance, car salary sacrifice scheme, activity pass, holiday trading, enhanced pension & salary deduct loans (eligibility criteria may apply)
- Access to a 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme & counselling programme
- Free access to the Headspace App – a global leader in mindfulness and you can enrol up to three friends or family for free!
- Eligibility for a Blue Light Card
Where you will be working:
City Road, London / Homeworking / Hybrid
(Up to 20% national travel, including some evenings and weekends, as required.)
About our application process:
When providing a supporting statement, please refer to the job description and person specification and include any information that shows your suitability for the role.
For more information about this job, please contact Jonathan Littledale – Events Fundraising Manager ( ########### )
We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
For some roles, successful applicants will be required to complete the relevant safeguarding checks which will include additional references and criminal background checks.
Applications for this job are sought from anyone who is suitably qualified and experienced for the role but particularly welcome from those with a diagnosis of autism.
The National Autistic Society is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and adults who use our services and as such expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to complete the relevant safeguarding checks.
We are an equal opportunities employer
Thank you!
This is an extraordinary opportunity to join Belong’s Senior Leadership Team as Director of Programmes, a pivotal role at the heart of our mission. You will lead the design, delivery, and impact of Belong’s programmes across England and Wales, ensuring they are strategic, inclusive, and evidence-based. Working closely with the CEO and senior colleagues, you will shape programme strategy, oversee complex portfolios, and drive systemic change that strengthens social cohesion nationwide.
As Director of Programmes, you will:
- Lead strategic development and delivery of Belong’s place-based programmes, ensuring alignment with our mission and values.
- Oversee programme design, implementation, evaluation, and learning to guarantee quality and measurable impact.
- Line manage a talented team of Programme Leads and Coordinators, fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment.
- Apply systems thinking to understand the interconnected nature of community, policy, and service ecosystems.
- Build and maintain high-level partnerships with funders, commissioners, local authorities, and community organisations.
- Represent Belong at national forums, events, and networks, championing our work and influence.
- Identify and pursue new opportunities for programme development and funding, supporting organisational growth.
This is a senior leadership position that combines strategic vision with hands-on delivery. You will play a key role in shaping Belong’s future and ensuring our programmes make a lasting difference to communities across the UK.
About You
We are seeking a visionary and experienced leader with:
- Proven experience in leading complex programme portfolios and delivering impactful initiatives.
- Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities, with a track record of shaping programme strategy.
- Excellent leadership and line management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop teams.
- Experience managing diverse stakeholders, from senior decision-makers to community partners.
- Familiarity with systems change and participatory approaches.
- Understanding of social cohesion, integration, and related social policy issues.
- Strong communication and influencing skills, able to translate complex ideas into accessible messages.
- Highly organised, diplomatic, and politically astute, with experience in income generation and bid development.
Desirable: Experience in areas such as Prevent, PCVE, community tensions, hate crime, or tackling misinformation.
Personal qualities matter too: we’re looking for someone passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK, collaborative and inclusive in their leadership style, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:
- 30 days’ annual leave
- Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office)
- Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
Salary: £65,000–£70,000
Location: UK-wide (regular travel across England and Wales)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Closing Date: 12 January 2026
About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to building a more united and less divided society. We work with communities, local authorities, and national partners to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience. Through innovative place-based programmes, research, policy influence, and thought leadership, we help create stronger, kinder, and more connected communities. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses, and we are proud to champion collaboration, diversity, and evidence-led approaches.
*Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.*
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Salary: £28,639.85 per annum, pro-rated
Location: Remote, homeworking
Contract: Permanent, part time working 24 hours per week over 4-5 days, occasional travel to London 2-3 times a year may also be required.
Closing Date: Monday 5th January 2026. Please note we will not be shortlisting until after the vacancy is closed.
Please note this role is being advertised as a Retail Team Administrator, however on appointment your job title will be Shop Support Team Administrator.
Do you understand administrative support processes and good practice with a real desire to develop as part of an inclusive and supportive team at one of Britain’s leading housing charities? If so, then join Shelter as an Administrator in our Shop Support Team and you could soon be fulfilling your ambition and contribute towards our fight for home.
About the Role
The role will involve providing essential day-to-day support to our Shops and Retail function, acting as the first point of contact for staff, customers and supporters. A key part of your role will be managing the shop supplies order process, including price checking and placing orders to ensure our shops have what they need to operate smoothly.
It will also involve supporting a range of finance and new goods admin tasks including processing invoices, raising product codes and assisting with stock takes. You’ll play a vital role in ensuring our retail operations run efficiently, with coordinating supplies and signage for our new shop openings, maintaining till number records, updating spreadsheets and managing our online shop handbook.
About you
To succeed, you’ll need a background in admin, excellent communication and time management skills and a proven ability to work across a range of tasks simultaneously while maintaining strong attention to detail. You’ll also need a proactive approach, lots of initiative and a flair for solving problems, completing tasks and overcoming obstacles. The ability to respond quickly and positively to change is important too, as is a willingness to challenge the status quo and introduce new ideas, methods or processes where appropriate. Commercially aware, customer focused and happy to work collaboratively for the good of a business, it goes without saying that you’re proficient using Microsoft Office applications such as Word and Excel, SharePoint, Outlook and the internet.
Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
How to Apply
Please click ‘Apply for Job’ below. You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement. Please provide specific examples of how you meet the criteria in the 'About you' section of this advert, following the STAR format, and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviours below throughout your responses:
- We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset
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.
Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.
To find out more about the role and the benefits of working for Shelter please visit our website. Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter 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.
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.
Shelter 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!
Key info
Closing date: Sunday 25th January 2026 at 23:59.
Annual salary: £42,400
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full time)
Contract length: 3 years initially, with contract extension subject to funding
Location: UK based, mainly remote with occasional in person work
The role
TransActual is recruiting a Communications Lead to join our rapidly growing team. You’ll be working alongside our board and Senior Management team to develop and implement a communications strategy across all media channels that supports the accurate representation of TransActual’s work to the wider world and our mission to advocate, empower and inform.
We are looking for someone with strong interpersonal skills both in terms of understanding and responding to underlying questions in a sometimes hostile media environment, identifying the effective ways of proactively and reactively communicating about our advocacy goals, and working closely with our Policy Lead, Director of Operations and for Healthcare, staff team, board and volunteers to achieve that.
Your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, the creation of a communications strategy, communications processes, protocols and standards, press releasing and liaison, and line management of our communications officer. You will be responsible for forward planning of communications where events are foreseeable and will also be required to enable rapid and sensitive response to unpredictable events and consequent media inquiries.
An in-depth understanding of trans people’s lived experiences and an ongoing commitment to bringing about positive change for all trans people in the UK is absolutely essential for this role. This understanding can come from your own lived experience. You will demonstrate a strong understanding of and commitment to equity, particularly in relation to race equity and disability equity.
We particularly welcome and encourage applications from trans people, Black People and People of Colour, neurodivergent people and disabled people.
Non Charity Employer
6 - 10
TransActual are working towards a world where trans people can live safely, in dignity and with access to the healthcare that we need.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
This is an exceptional opportunity to join Belong’s Senior Leadership Team as Director of Policy & Research, a role that sits at the heart of our mission to shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. You will lead Belong’s policy development, research strategy, and national partnerships, ensuring our work is grounded in robust evidence and lived experience. This position offers the chance to influence systemic change, amplify Belong’s voice with policymakers and opinion formers, and ensure our insights drive real-world impact.
As Director of Policy & Research, you will:
- Lead the development of Belong’s policy and research agenda, aligning it with organisational strategy and national priorities.
- Produce high-quality policy outputs, including reports, briefings, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
- Oversee the design and delivery of research projects, including commissioning and partnership work, ensuring rigor and inclusivity.
- Translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations and advocacy strategies.
- Foster strong collaboration between the Policy & Research team and Programme Delivery team, ensuring insights inform both policy and practice.
- Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, journalists, and opinion formers.
- Represent Belong externally at high-level meetings, events, and in the media, amplifying our impact and reach.
- Develop strategic messaging and narratives that position Belong as a thought leader in social cohesion.
- Support campaigns and public engagement initiatives that promote Belong’s policy goals.
- Contribute to organisational development, strategic planning, and income generation through proposal development and funder engagement.
- Line manage policy and research staff, providing leadership, support, and professional development.
This is a senior leadership role for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and wants to drive systemic change at scale.
About You
We are seeking a strategic and insightful leader with:
- Proven experience in policy development and research leadership.
- Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
- Strong understanding of social policy and influencing processes.
- Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community relations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including media engagement and public speaking.
- Ability to translate complex research into accessible policy messages.
- Familiarity with participatory and applied research methods.
- Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities.
- Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or a related field.
- Experience managing teams and budgets, and supporting income generation through fundraising and proposal development.
Personal Qualities
- Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
- Strategic and visionary thinker.
- Collaborative and inclusive leader.
- Politically astute and intellectually curious.
- Practical, focused, and reliable.
- Committed to personal and professional development.
Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:
- 30 days’ annual leave
- Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office)
- Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
- 3% pension contribution
- Opportunities for professional development and growth
Join us and help shape national policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.
Salary: £65,000–£70,000
Location: UK-wide (regular travel across England and Wales)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to building a more united and less divided society. Established in 2019, we work across sectors to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience in communities. Through research, policy influence, and place-based programmes, we connect people, places, and organisations to share learning and drive systemic change. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.