Fundraising operations assistant jobs

Dreams Come True is entering Year 3 of a five-year dream-making programme across Blackpool and 
the North West. As the programme moves from establishment into growth, we are seeking a highly 
organised, relationship-focused Dreams Coordinator based in the North West to deliver life-changing 
dreams and strengthen the programme's reach and sustainability.
The role combines hands-on dream delivery with programme development. You will coordinate 
individual, urgent and community dreams from referral to completion, while continuing to grow 
referral pathways across education, health, social care and community settings so that more eligible 
children can access our support.
A key focus for Year 3 and beyond will be building strong local relationships with referrers, 
stakeholders, businesses, community partners and funders. You will act as a local ambassador for 
Dreams Come True, sharing programme impact and helping to identify funding, sponsorship and 
gifts in kind that support long-term sustainability.
This role is ideal for someone who combines compassion, creativity and excellent coordination skills 
with confidence in networking, stakeholder engagement and programme growth.

Who we are

IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) is a national charity working to ensure that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the educational support they are legally entitled to. Since we were formed in 1983, we have helped to improve the education experience of thousands of children and young people across England. We do this by providing free and independent legal advice and casework support for families, undertaking policy work and delivering training on the SEND legal framework.

What you’ll do

Reports to: Chief Executive

Location: Home-based or Hybrid (with frequent travel for events and meeting with parliamentarians and other stakeholders) 

We are seeking a Policy Manager to lead IPSEA's policy and influencing work to achieve positive change for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Head of Legal and Training, trustees and colleagues across the organisation, you will set strategic policy priorities and develop evidence-based influencing plans that support IPSEA's mission and long-term objectives.

Drawing on insights from our advice and tribunal services, legal expertise and the experiences of families, you will identify systemic issues within the SEND system and develop policy solutions that improve children and young people's access to the support and education to which they are entitled. You will ensure that IPSEA's policy positions are credible, legally robust and informed by the lived experiences of those we support.

You will lead IPSEA's engagement with government, Parliament and other key decision-makers, identifying opportunities to influence legislation, policy and practice at both national and local level. This includes overseeing responses to consultations, parliamentary inquiries and calls for evidence, as well as preparing briefings and strategic advice to support senior-level engagement and advocacy.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across legal, communications, fundraising and training teams, you will ensure IPSEA's policy, campaigning and public affairs activities are aligned and maximise the organisation's impact. You will also monitor developments across the political, legal and policy landscape, helping IPSEA respond proactively to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the rights of children and young people with SEND.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference as part of a small, friendly, and dedicated team. If you are passionate about helping children and young people with SEND and have the skills and experience needed, we would love to hear from you.

Who are we looking for?

You will have significant experience in a senior policy and campaigning/public affairs role and have good knowledge of local and national government structure including the legislative process.

You the ability to build and maintain relationships with a range of stakeholders including MPs, civil servants, campaigners and parents. You exhibit tact and diplomacy and can be impactful with people of varying levels and experience.

Your research and critical thinking skills enable you to analyse policy and data to produce relevant reports and position papers. You have experience of drafting organisation responses to government consultations and parliamentary calls for evidence.

IPSEA should also reflect the communities we support. We would particularly like to hear from candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, under-served communities and disabled people, as well as those with lived experience of the SEND system, either as a child or as a parent/carer.

What we can offer you

• 5% employer pension contributions
• Healthcare cash plan
• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an additional day off for your birthday (pro-rata if part-time).

To apply

Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.

Deadline for applications: 9am on 7 September 2026.

First-round interviews: on 15 September 2026 in our offices in Takeley, Essex, with second-round interviews (online) on 18 September 2026.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE.

Amaze seeks a Finance Manager to join our team where your skills and expertise can make a lasting difference.

About the role

As Finance Manager, you will oversee Amaze’s financial operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and strong financial management. Your responsibilities include overseeing bookkeeping and payroll, preparing monthly financial reporting, quarterly management accounts, and supporting strategic decision-making through budgeting and forecasting.

We are seeking an experienced, self-motivated and conscientious individual with strong attention to detail who can work effectively as part of a small team to maintain and develop our financial operations. Applicants should have significant relevant experience in a financial management position, alongside a commitment to Amaze’s organisational vision, mission and values.

About working at Amaze

Amaze is your local charity who provide vital support and connection for children, young people and families with SEND in Sussex. We guide children, young people and families through the complex world of SEND. We help them know their rights, feel less alone and get the support they need.  We need people like you to help us in this mission.

At Amaze, we support you. We value creativity and collaboration. You’ll work among a diverse team of compassionate colleagues. We offer training and flexible working. Amaze isn’t just a job—it’s a chance to make a difference.

Take the next step in your career with us and help create inclusive communities in Sussex, where disabled people, and their families, belong and flourish.

We are committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity, and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe having a diverse workforce at all levels allows us to represent the communities we serve.

• We want to employ staff who have lived experience of disability themselves or as a parent carer of a child, young person or adult with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
• We particularly welcome applicants from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities.

If you want to be part of a great team that supports local families, we would love to hear from you. Please see the person specification in the job description for more details on what to include in your application. All applications will be measured against the person specification, so we encourage you to show how your experience meets these listed criteria in your letter. For more details on how to do this, please read our application guidance.

Area Manager Role

Location: London (field-based with some home working)
Salary: £46,000
Contract: Full Time
Closing Date: 24 August 2026

Join FARA and Help Transform Lives Through Retail

Founded over 35 years ago, FARA Foundation is a UK registered charity and a successful charity retailer with a network of 39 vibrant shops across London. FARA raises vital funds to support vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people and their families in Romania, providing services that help break the cycles of poverty and give young people a better start in life.

We are looking for an exceptional Area Manager to lead and develop a portfolio of 10+ charity shops, supporting Shop Managers to deliver outstanding commercial results while creating welcoming, community-focused spaces that embody FARA’s values and mission.

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially-minded and people-focused leader who enjoys developing others, driving performance, and contributing strategically to a charity retail operation.

The Role

Reporting to the Trading Director, you will be responsible for supporting and developing a group of Shop Managers, helping them maximise sales, donations, Gift Aid income and community engagement while ensuring shops operate safely, compliantly and efficiently.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will contribute to the wider development of the trading business, lead operational projects, and play a key role in delivering FARA’s long-term retail strategy.

About You

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate the following competencies:

• Values-led leadership: A strong commitment to FARA’s mission, vision and values, with the ability to lead, coach and develop Shop Managers in a supportive, accountable and collaborative way.
• Commercial focus: Experience of achieving results through others, using KPIs, budgets and financial reports to improve sales, contribution, Gift Aid, stock generation and controllable costs.
• People development: Strong line management skills, with experience of recruitment, induction, performance management, succession planning and handling employee relations matters.
• Retail operational excellence: A sound understanding of shop operations, including pricing, culling, density, curation, sales space, sorting, layout and the ability to coach managers to improve the retail proposition.
• Compliance and risk management: Working knowledge of health and safety, risk assessments, fire risk assessments, regulatory requirements and the ability to maintain safe, compliant shops.
• Project and planning skills: Experience supporting target setting, five-year plans, shop improvements, refits, relocations or other operational projects.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in an Area Manager, Regional Manager or equivalent multi-site retail role (or demonstrable desire to gain wider experience).
• Strong track record of leading teams to achieve and exceed commercial and operational KPIs.
• Excellent commercial awareness with the ability to analyse financial and operational data.
• Experience in coaching, developing and motivating staff.
• Experience handling employee relations issues, including performance management, disciplinary and grievance matters.
• Knowledge of health and safety, risk management and compliance requirements.
• Strong organisational, planning and project management skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Proficient IT skills to perform a range of professional functions on excel, word and other applications.

Desirable

• Experience within charity retail or the not-for-profit sector.
• Experience recruiting and managing volunteers.
• Knowledge of retail refurbishment, relocation or property projects.
• Understanding of Gift Aid and donation-led retail operations.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Additional Information

• Travel across London will be required.
• Participation in an on-call rota approximately one weekend per month will be required.
• Occasional cover for colleagues during periods of annual leave/absence will be required.

How to Apply

If you are an inspiring retail leader who can combine commercial expertise with a passion for people development and social impact, we would love to hear from you.

To apply, please submit a CV and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) by email outlining how you meet the skills & experience required for the role and why the role excites you.

Applications Deadline: 24 August 2026

Interview Dates:

• Round one: Online 2 September 2026 (online via Zoom)
• Round two: In Person 18 & 21 September 2026 

Join FARA and help us grow a retail operation that changes lives, strengthens communities and delivers lasting impact.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Job title: Farm Skills and Wellbeing Lead. Based at Oasis City Farm – Southampton, Green Lane, Southampton SO16 9FQ

Hours: 32 hours per week Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £22,470 per annum, 0.8FTE (£28,088 for 1FTE)

 Oasis City Farm - Southampton is a community focused registered charity. We provide a range of supportive, wellbeing boosting, and nature-based activities for our communities, which include young people and adult learners with disabilities.

We have an exciting opportunity to become a member of our farm leadership team as a Skills and Wellbeing Lead. You will lead the Skills and Wellbeing Programme at Oasis City Farm – Southampton, delivering high-quality sessions, therapeutic activities and workshops for adults and young people. With the aim of building knowledge, practical skills, confidence and wellbeing through animal care, gardening and nature-based learning. This will include leading our Adult day service; developing opportunities for farm users to gain qualifications; facilitating wellbeing workshops and provision that build mental health wellbeing; working with the community lead to develop our volunteer and work placement programme; work alongside our garden assistant to lead on our garden project development, ensuring it is sustainable. This role includes line managing a team to enable the above strands of work to be sustainable and impactful for the wider community.

The role will contribute to the day-to-day operation of the farm, supporting animal care and site maintenance through these programmes and community activities in line with the Oasis ethos.

The successful applicant will need to demonstrate:

· Relevant qualifications or experience in animal management or outdoor learning.

· Relevant qualifications or experience in youth work, community-based projects or working with adults.

· The flexibility to work the days as advertised including school holidays. There may be occasional evenings but time of lieu would be given.

· Excellent verbal communication skills.

· IT literate

· Proven ability to work alongside others in projects that work with the public.

· Punctuality, reliability, and honesty.

· Ability to always evidence the Oasis ethos and values.

This is a unique opportunity for a friendly, hardworking and driven individual, who is looking to make a difference in a growing and community focused field of work. In return we offer:

· Flexible working practices which encourage innovation and fresh ideas.

· A supportive network and friendly team in a motivating working environment.

If you are interested, please send your CV and Supporting Statement.  In your supporting statement please address these questions:

1. Expand on your CV to explain how your skills and experience meets the Job Description.  Give specific examples.

2. What personal attributes does a person need to do well in this role? 

3. How do you see the Oasis ethos and 9 Habits being displayed in this role?

Applications will be looked at on a rolling basis with an invite to interview and a trial session in September.  We reserve the right to close the advert if we identify suitable candidates. To avoid disappointment, please submit your application as soon as possible.

We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and minority and underrepresented groups. If you require any assistance to overcome potential barriers, please let us know. 

Applicants must be able to prove their right to work in the UK. Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos.  We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.

Oasis supports Equal Opportunities.  Registered Charity No. 1163889