Head of communication jobs in milton keynes

Job Title: Corporate Partnerships Executive

Location: Home based (Home working with regular meetings in London)

Salary: £30,000 to £40,000 

Hours: Full Time, permanent 

Reports to: Head of Corporate Partnerships

About Parentkind

As one of the largest federated charities in the UK, with arguably greater reach into the lives of families and educational settings than any other non-Government organisation, Parentkind is on a bold and urgent mission: to support, champion, and empower parents to be partners in their children’s education and wellbeing. 

Although best known for our support of almost 24,000 Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), Parent Councils, and Schools, helping them build strong school communities whilst they raise approaching £140 million each year to enhance children’s education, our work stretches far beyond the school gates. Parentkind is building a powerful movement that recognises parental engagement not as a nicety, but a necessity.

Supporting parents beyond the school gate

In recent years, families have faced a series of compounding challenges: the cost-of-living crisis, rising child poverty, and deepening educational inequality. These pressures have left many parents struggling to meet basic needs—let alone feel confident engaging in their child’s learning journey.  Parentkind has responded to this moment with compassion, agility and purpose, through a series of transformative campaigns, resources, and partnerships. 

Our No Cold Child initiative with FatFace stepped in to address a stark statistic: over 150,000 children in the UK do not own a winter coat due to poverty. Through our trusted relationships with schools we distributed 10,000 warm, high-quality coats worth £600,000 to the children who needed them most. Winning the Business Charity Awards ‘Fashion & Retail’ Award, and shortlisted for two further awards, the campaign has been praised not just for providing warmth, but for restoring dignity, inclusion, and school readiness to thousands of children.

The All Dressed Up campaign—developed with World Book Day and Rubies Masquerade—confronted the often-overlooked issue of financial exclusion on key celebration days. More than 100,000 free dressing up costumes worth £1.34 million were delivered to children from low-income families. By enabling participation in events like World Book Day, we helped spark imagination, joy, and belonging for children who might otherwise feel left out—boosting self-esteem and supporting a positive connection to learning.Furthermore, helping attract children into school on a day which often sees struggling parents keep their children at home.

Alongside these national campaigns, Parentkind supports families year-round through a growing suite of programmes designed to inform, prepare and empower parents. Our Be School Ready programme offers crucial guidance and confidence to parents preparing their children for the leap into primary education. With a mix of practical advice, developmental tips, and reassurance, through the distribution of 150,000 copies of Be School Ready and an online campaign, it supports families at one of the most formative moments in their child’s life.

We also deliver a wide-ranging series of live expert webinars and parent-friendly resources, covering topics such as managing anxiety, supporting special educational needs, navigating school transitions, and building home-school partnerships. These resources, developed in consultation with experts and rooted in lived parent experience, equip families to feel informed and empowered, no matter what challenges arise.

Our direct support of schools

Our collaboration with Asda on Cashpot for Schools is another example of unlocking support at scale. This innovative community-led funding model allowed shoppers to nominate and fund their local schools simply through everyday spending. This campaign has generated £5.78 million for schools during the past twelve months, supporting everything from basic classroom supplies to vital extracurricular programmes and pupil wellbeing initiatives. Also shortlisted for a Business Charity Award, it is already a model for community-driven philanthropy.

In April, we launched our Parent-Friendly Schools Accreditation Programme, designed to formally recognise schools that go above and beyond in fostering positive, inclusive relationships with parents. The accreditation celebrates schools that actively listen to parent voices, make engagement easy and accessible, and embed family partnership in their culture. It is a practical and inspiring tool to drive long-term change in the sector and offers a roadmap for schools wanting to strengthen their community.

Our focus on Policy & Research

Our work is grounded in evidence. Since 2023, we have conducted the UK’s largest annual parent survey: the National Parent Survey. With approaching 6,000 participants providing 130,000 bits of data to provide invaluable insights into the struggles, concerns, hopes and fears of parents. The findings are fed directly into government consultations and have already informed national debates on school funding, attendance, mental health support, SEND provision, and curriculum reform.

In each of the past two years the number of policymakers, educators, parents and researchers accessing the National Parent Survey exceeded seven thousand, and the survey featured in more than two hundred media outlets each year.Excitingly, the Times & Sunday Times are partnering with Parentkind to raise the profile even further in September 2025 and the survey will be launched at a lighthouse event featuring the Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson), the Ofsted Chief Inspector of Schools (Sir Martyn Oliver), the CEO of Mumsnet (Justine Roberts), the Children’s Commissioner (Dame Rachel De Souza), and our own Chief Executive (Jason Elsom). 

If you believe, like we do, that when parents matter, children succeed, we’d love to hear from you.

Main purpose and scope of this role:

With guidance from the Head of Corporate Partnerships, you will identify, secure, and manage new corporate partnerships to fund Parentkind's mission.

You will build and maintain a new business pipeline to support a sustainable corporate partnerships income stream, targeting a wide range of partnerships (including COTY, corporate grants, commercial and strategic relationships) with regional and national businesses with the capacity to support at a 5,6, and 7-figure level.

You will carry out prospect cultivation, develop tailored proosals and pitches, and manage corporate partner relationships to secure excellent supporter experiences.

By collaborating with key internal stakeholders and securing approirate partnership opportunities, you will enhance support for parents, schools, children and young people.

Duties and key responsibilities 

New Business

• Identify and research prospective corporate partners who align with Parentkind’s mission; complete due diligence and compile reports and partner profiles.
• Planning: proactively plan and drive tactical and timely approaches to potential partners.
• Proposal development: produce high‑quality proposals, applications and pitches to secure financial contributions from corporate partners.
• Lead management: respond promptly to new‑business leads, delivering excellent relationship management from initial contact to formal partnership.
• Resource development: contribute to the development and maintenance of key resources for fundraising activities.
• Community Team contribution: contribute to the Community Team’s fundraising initiatives for PTA members.

Partnership Management

• Account management: oversee and manage relationships with selected corporate partners in Parentkind’s portfolio.
• Partnership planning: create and deliver comprehensive, bespoke plans for each partnership, considering all financial and non‑financial opportunities to generate support and mutual value.
• Regular communications: hold regular meetings with partners to ensure partnership objectives are on track; propose compelling partnership content and campaigns.
• Impact reporting: create compelling reports for partners that demonstrate the impact of their contributions and support renewals.
• Coordination of contributions: coordinate gift‑in‑kind/pro‑bono contributions from partners in collaboration with internal teams.

Relationship Management

• Relationship building: cultivate relationships with prospects, developing tailored engagement strategies and keeping key contacts informed of our work.
• Partnership agreements: negotiate clear, mutually understood and appropriate contracts with new corporate partners.
• Network utilisation: leverage organisational networks for introductions and referrals; collaborate with the Head of Corporate Partnerships on network mapping; identify links to target organisations and engage key stakeholders for introductions, referrals and nominations.
• Representation: represent Parentkind at events and networking opportunities.
• Internal collaboration: foster positive relationships across the organisation, ensuring fundraising activities align with the charity’s needs and priorities.

Managing systems

• CRM management: maintain accurate and up‑to‑date records on Parentkind’s CRM (Salesforce), tracking all corporate partnerships activity.
• Monitoring and reporting: contribute to regular monitoring and reporting on corporate partnerships.
• Process management: manage internal processes related to corporate partnerships, including use of third‑party platforms.
• Record keeping: maintain and communicate detailed records of corporate partnerships activities to inform future planning and strategy.
• Finance processes: ensure all corporate partnerships income is accurately coded, allocated and reconciled in line with agreed finance processes.
• Process improvement: contribute to the development of effective processes and systems for managing corporate fundraising activities.

General responsibilities

• Ensure Data Protection procedures are followed at all times.
• Stay informed on relevant issues, educational policy and legislation affecting key audiences.
• Be flexible within the remit of the post and undertake other duties as reasonably requested by senior leadership.
• Contribute to Fundraising Department planning, reporting and cross‑team projects.
• Be self‑servicing and participate in Parentkind’s performance, development and training programmes.
• Abide by organisational policies, codes of conduct and practices.
• Be responsible for the health, safety and welfare of self, colleagues and visitors.

This job description may be amended from time to time and does not form part of the employment contract.

For person specifcation see the attached JD.

Significant opportunity

We have a significant opportunity to put the tools into the hands of those working with Children, Young People and Families that will better equip them to see young lives transformed. 

Scripture Union are looking to appoint two Content Creators: One specialising in under 11s & families and one specialising in Young People.  You will see that our current portfolio is extensive, but we would like to ensure that we add to it with focused material (whether digital or physical, whether free or paid for).  You will both be involved in the creation of new content and in contracting other specialists who have skills in communicating to children and young people that we would like to develop.  Also, promoting those resources at various conferences and festivals to complement the work of our marketing team. 

Working Patterns

The role is remote with some travel to our Head Office at Trinity House Milton Keynes to collaborate face to face with the rest of the team. 

Part Time options can also be considered, but we will give priority to those who can work at least three days a week and a commitment for a physical presence in Milton Keynes as the role requires but no more than once weekly.   

Also, flexible working may be necessary when promoting resources.

Why Scripture Union?  

• Remote working
• 23 days holiday + bank holidays + 5 volunteering days 
• Up to 12% pension contribution 
• Life insurance 
• Enhanced family leave.  
• Free Bible Reading Guide 
• A supportive, faith-filled environment where your work has eternal impact  

Important things to note before you apply

• We are committed to building a culturally diverse workforce. As part of this commitment, we welcome applications from people, regardless of their background.   

• The Movement takes Safeguarding seriously. This role will require a Disclosure from the Disclosure & Barring Service and has an occupational requirement to be filled by a committed Christian, active in church life. Equality Act 2010, Part 1, Schedule 9 applies.   

• Please note that we do not provide visa sponsorship arrangements so applicants will need to have the right to live and be employed in a permanent job in the UK. 

How to Apply   

If this describes you, and you are in agreement with the aims and beliefs of Scripture Union, then we would like to hear from you. To apply for this role, download a copy of the job profile. You will need to upload your CV (2 A4 pages max) and a covering letter (2 A4 pages max) detailing how your skills and experience reflect the person specification via Charity Jobs. All screening questions provided as part of your application, must be answered.   

Closing Date: 8th October 2025

Interview Date: 21st October

Interview Location: Milton Keynes

The Role:

We are seeking an experienced Visitor Experience Manager (VEM) to play a vital role in leading and shaping the visitor journey at Waddesdon Manor, working Wednesday-Sunday. The successful candidate will  be an  integral part of the Visitor Experience Management Team at Waddesdon Manor ensuring that every visitor enjoys an outstanding experience that is welcoming, inclusive, and memorable.

You will be responsible for developing a culture of ‘exceptional service, every time, for everyone,’ leading by example and inspiring the wider visitor experience team to deliver outstanding customer service. With extensive management experience in a visitor-facing heritage environment, you will act as an ambassador for our visitors across the property, ensuring their needs and expectations are embedded at the heart of all operations.

What you will do:

As Visitor Experience Manager (VEM), you will oversee house-based visitor operations and lead a seamless visitor engagement program - including tours, walks, and talks - ensuring that all audiences enjoy an exceptional and inspiring experience. By maintaining consistently high standards of welcome, interpretation and storytelling, you will enhance visitor satisfaction and foster memorable experiences.

You will play a key role in the growth and evolution of the Visitor Experience department, driving excellence in operations, recruitment, training, customer service, and engagement initiatives. With a strong understanding of heritage best practices, you will contribute to shaping the Visitor Experience strategy, ensuring long-term success and the achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs).

Key responsibilities include but not limited to:

Operational Management

• Oversee the visitor experience within the house, supporting the Assistant Visitor Experience Manager (AVEM) to ensure a consistently high-quality experience for all guests.
• Ensure impeccable presentation standards aligned with brand guidelines.
• Full compliance of operational policies and procedures.
• Ensure staff and volunteers are engaged with their roles and environment.
• Effective staff planning that aligns with budget and operational needs.
• Strategically plan for the future of the house-based visitor operation by benchmarking against industry leaders, implementing best practices, and managing change, where needed.
• Support the AVEM in the operational delivery of house openings and tours.
• Act as an escalation point for visitor feedback or complaints, ensuring prompt and confident resolution.

Tours & Walks Operation

• Oversee the daily delivery of the public tours and walks program, ensuring high-quality, well-resourced experiences.
• Serve as a central point of coordination between teams and departments to efficiently manage spaces and resources.
• With the AVEM provide motivational and supportive leadership to all guides and volunteers, ensuring visitor expectations remain central to operations
• Collaborate with relevant departments to create scripts and guidance for walks and tour programme delivery
• Train as a guide to cover staff/volunteer shortfalls and maintain consistency in the visitor offer
• Support out-of-hours exclusive access tours, sharing responsibilities with the VE management team
• Develop industry-leading, accessible, and revenue-generating tour visitor engagement programme
• Develop a guide recruitment and training programme.
• Work with the Head of Visitor Experience (HVE), Group Bookings Coordinator, and Marketing team to tailor tours and walks to visitor and group preferences.

People Management

• Line manage the AVEM, providing operational guidance and supporting their professional development.
• Offer strong, motivational leadership to guides and volunteers, serving as an approachable point of contact.
• Recruit, develop, and coach a high-performing, enthusiastic team, setting clear objectives and providing regular feedback.
• Inspire teams to engage with and safely manage the historic environment, fostering a passion for the house, its history, and collections.
• Collaborate with the VE & Volunteering teams to expand and enhance the year-round Visitor Experience volunteering program.
• Lead annual visitor care training for staff and volunteers.
• Provide ongoing role-specific training to ensure high standards of delivery.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• Work with the Head of Visitor Experience to manage staffing and operational budgets, contributing to financial planning.
• Champion accessibility, ensuring all visitor offers meet best practice accessibility guidelines and supporting the AVEM in developing access initiatives.
• Deputise for the HVE and provide operational duty management in the AVEM’s absence.
• Serve as a second duty manager for large events, overseeing a designated site area and making operational decisions.
• Act as a trained First Aider and Fire Marshall (training provided).
• Train as a “White Hat” for Waddesdon’s Disaster Response Team and take a leadership role in major incidents if required
• Support frontline operations during peak times, major events, or staff shortages as required
• Stay informed on industry trends and best practices in the heritage/museum sector

You will be a great fit if:

You are skilled managing front-line teams and overseeing visitor operations, consistently delivering high standards of service and engagement. You have a passion for heritage and culture and can develop and deliver tours, walks and visitor programs that are accessible, inspiring and memorable. You are skilled at recruiting, training and motivating staff and volunteers, fostering a high-performing team while maintaining operational excellence. You have the ability to respond confidently to visitor feedback and will contribute to the long-term success and growth of the Visitor Experience department.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work within the charity and heritage sector, with all profits going to the upkeep and preservation of the House and Grounds.

Your areas of knowledge and expertise that matter for this role:

• Operational Leadership: minimum of 3 years’ experience in operational and line management within a fast-paced, visitor-focused environment, ideally in the heritage or museum sector.
• Passion for Heritage & the Arts: A genuine interest in heritage, arts management, and the natural world.
• Team Management & Development: Skilled in coaching, team development, and effective communication. Excellent interpersonal skills, adept at building relationships and managing complex stakeholder interests.
• Volunteer Management: Experience in leading and engaging volunteers, with an understanding of how to effectively motivate, recognize, and reward their contributions.
• Visitor Experience & Engagement: Proven passion and experience in delivering exceptional visitor experiences and engagement programmes.
• Strategic Contribution: Strong time management, project management, organisational and problem-solving skills. Familiar with best practices and trends in museums, heritage and visitor attractions, with experience driving operational improvements.
• Collection Care & Conservation: Understanding of historic collection care, conservation, health and safety, and security legislation.
• Communication & Public Engagement: Strong written and interpersonal skills, with experience in public speaking, guiding, or presenting. Ability to remain calm and confident under pressure.
• Financial & Technical Proficiency: Some experience in budget management and commercial awareness. Strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Office, with familiarity in POS and ticketing platforms.

 Additional requirements:

The safety and wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable adults are of the utmost importance for any role at the Rothschild Foundation, Waddesdon Manor. Consequently this position will require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to uphold the safety and security of all our guests, staff and volunteers.  

Rewards for working with us:

• Waddesdon Discounts – 50% discount in the food-to-go outlets at the Manor. 20% in the Manor gift shop and restaurant, Stables Café, Five Arrows Hotel, and The Bow Pub. 20% discount on special event tickets made available to staff.
• Staff Card - A National Trust staff card entitles two adults and children under 18 years of age free admission to all National Trust properties and 20% discount in NT retail and catering outlets.
• Annual Leave - On starting with us, you will receive 25 days annual leave per year plus 8 public holidays pro-rata. Stay with us for 3 years and this rises to 28 days, 30 days after five years and 32 days after 10 years.
• Sick pay - If you become ill, one week of sick pay during your first 3 months. This rises to a maximum of 3 months full pay within a rolling 12-month period. After four years you also receive a further 3 months at half pay in the rolling 12-month period.
• Pension - We will top up your pension by matching any contribution you make, up to 10% of your basic salary.
• Income Protection – on completing one year of continuous service, income protection may be available at 50% of basic salary for a maximum of 5 years.
• Life Assurance – a lump sum of 4 times basically annual salary is payable upon death in service.
• Mental Health and Wellbeing Support – access to a wellbeing platform and fully funded 1:1 counselling service.
• Enhanced Maternity Pay – after 12 months of continuous service, you can choose 13 weeks of maternity leave at full pay followed by 26 weeks statutory pay.
• Enhanced Paternity Pay – after 12 months of continuous service, you may take 3 months of paternity leave at full pay.
• And plenty more!

Salary: £42,787

Grade: 3

Position type: Full Time, Permanent, 37.5 hours per week (Flexible working considered)

Responsible to: Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships

Direct reports: Corporate Partnerships Officer

Location: Remote (UK), within reasonable commuting distance to London to accommodate regular partner & prospect meetings. This may be up to once a week.

ROLE PURPOSE:

Join ShelterBox's high-performing Philanthropy & Partnerships team, in a role that is all about ambition, collaboration and impact.

As Corporate Partnerships Manager, you'll be at the forefront of growing and diversifying ShelterBox's private sector partnerships - unlocking bold, strategic collaborations that help deliver emergency shelter to families whose lives have been devastated by disaster.

With a loyal portfolio of partners already established, this role is your opportunity to lead the charge on new business. You'll shape sector strategies, grow our pipeline of prospects and turn creative ideas into long-term, multi-faceted partnerships that drive real change.

You will work with the Corporate Partnerships Officer to support stewardship of existing relationships, ensuring partners feel valued, engaged and inspired to continue supporting ShelterBox's lifesaving work. But your focus will be outward-facing and future-focused - identifying new opportunities, crafting compelling propositions and making ShelterBox stand out from the crowd.

You'll manage and mentor the Corporate Partnerships Officer, report directly to the Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships, and collaborate with the wider Philanthropy & Partnerships team. You will also be backed by colleagues across the organisation, and our global affiliate network. Together, you'll maximise opportunities, deliver powerful partnerships, and help shape the future of corporate giving at ShelterBox.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We are looking for a strategic, creative, and proactive individual who will play a key role building strong relationships with decision-makers within businesses to help us deliver emergency shelter to the most vulnerable people hit by conflict, disaster and climate crises.

You must be confident in presenting a compelling case for support, both in writing and verbally, and be able to build relationships easily - both externally and internally. We're especially looking for someone who brings strategic thinking and planning, and who can focus their energy on targeted, high-impact work that drives results. Previous experience in corporate fundraising or within a high-value partnerships team is strongly preferred.

This position is for someone looking for a dynamic and varied role, working with a huge range of stakeholders to identify and unlock opportunities to connect the private sector with meaningful impact. It is a perfect opportunity for a forward-thinking, articulate, and personable relationship fundraiser who wants to play a pivotal part in helping communities around the world rebuild after disaster.

Duties will include but not be limited to:

New business

Lead on new business development by proactively identifying and cultivating high-value corporate prospects, with a focus on building a strong and diverse pipeline.

Conduct targeted sector research in collaboration with the Stewardship and Research Officer & Philanthropy & Partnerships Assistant to uncover new opportunities and develop tailored engagement strategies that align with ShelterBox's mission and values.

Leverage networks and connectors - including the Philanthropy Advisory Board - and attend relevant industry events and conferences to expand ShelterBox's reach within priority sectors.

Design bespoke cultivation plans for prospects in the pipeline, using creative and varied approaches to engage new audiences and convert interest into long-term support.

Develop compelling proposals, pitches, and partnership packages by working cross-functionally with teams across the organisation, especially the International Programme Department and Brand & Content team.

Deliver engaging presentations and pitches to a wide range of audiences, inspiring support and showcasing the impact of partnering with ShelterBox.

Collaborate with international colleagues, particularly in the USA, to explore and respond to global corporate partnership opportunities as they arise. Proactively contribute to establishing new ways of working across markets to unlock shared value and international engagement.

Ensure alignment with ShelterBox's Ethical Partnerships Policy by supporting due diligence screening in partnership with the Stewardship and Research Officer and Philanthropy & Partnerships Assistant.

Relationship management

Personally manage relations with ShelterBox's most valuable partners: taking time to understand partner needs and decision-making drivers, and utilising insight into objectives, motivations and internal priorities to tailor engagement strategies to maximise partnerships.

Seek opportunities to uplift and add value to partnerships by having a thorough understanding of ShelterBox's work, networks and funding needs.

Work with and support the Corporate Partnerships Officer to effectively manage and steward their portfolio of accounts.

Deliver creative stewardship and communication plans to ensure our corporate partner's key stakeholders and staff feel part of ShelterBox; providing them with inspiring stories, unique staff engagement opportunities, and strong impact reporting.

Deliver first-class grant management when securing restricted income (including tracking pipeline, contracting, reporting requirements etc.)

Strategy, engagement and data

Working with the Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships, to refine and implement the Corporate Partnerships Strategy, ensuring it is targeted, aligned with organisational priorities, and translated into work plans.

Drive strategic planning and income generation, working towards agreed targets and supporting the effective management of the Corporate Partnerships budget.

Shape and deliver ShelterBox's corporate engagement offering, collaborating with the Learning and Development team to create impactful training and staff engagement experiences for partners.

Prepare for and lead emergency fundraising appeals to corporate audiences, to mobilise and maximise support in response to major disasters.

Develop and coordinate events to deepen corporate partner's engagement, and contribute to the delivery of wider Philanthropy & Partnerships events that showcase ShelterBox's mission and impact.

Maximise the benefits of the CRM system (Microsoft Dynamics) to create and implement strategic cultivation and stewardship journeys for corporate partners, keeping records updated and following Data Protection rules. Stay informed on global trends in corporate giving, and the humanitarian sector, using this insight to inform strategic decision-making and partnership development.

Leadership

Provide strategic and supportive line management to the Corporate Partnerships Officer, ensuring clear objectives, success indicators, and personal development plans are in place and regularly reviewed.

Foster strong, collaborative relationships across ShelterBox, working closely with colleagues in the UK and internationally to align efforts and maximise partnership impact.

Act as a subject matter expert (SME) in private sector partnerships, sharing knowledge, insight, and best practice with the wider ShelterBox team and our global affiliate network.

Contribute flexibly and proactively to the wider work of the Philanthropy & Partnerships team, undertaking other reasonable duties as required to support team goals and organisational priorities.

People Manager – Permanent, Remote

Full-time (35 hrs) – Open to part-time

Are you ready to take the lead on shaping people strategy and culture in a mission-driven organisation? MLC Partners are recruiting for an experienced People Manager to play a central role in modernising HR systems, embedding best practice, and creating a workplace where people feel supported, included, and able to thrive.

The opportunity

This is a pivotal role, reporting directly to the Head of People and Governance. You’ll be responsible for managing a small HR team while also influencing senior stakeholders and working closely with staff representatives. The role will combine strategic input with hands-on delivery, ensuring the organisation not only meets its legal obligations but develops as an innovative and inclusive workplace.

Key responsibilities:

• HR leadership: Oversee recruitment, retention, payroll, benefits and workforce planning, ensuring the organisation is effectively resourced.
• Modernising policies: Lead the review and update of policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with employment law and alignment with organisational values.
• Employee relations: Act as a trusted advisor to managers, supporting them to handle disciplinary, grievance, performance, and capability issues with confidence and fairness.
• Change and culture: Partner with managers, unions and staff to deliver organisational change, embedding inclusive and people-focused practices at every level.
• Data and reporting: Use analytics to identify workforce trends and provide insights that shape decision-making.
• Learning and development: Drive the implementation of performance management frameworks, development plans, and training initiatives.
• Team management: Line manage two senior HR professionals as well as providing oversight to a small staff team, fostering collaboration and high performance.

About you:

We’re looking for someone with the confidence and credibility to lead a people function in a complex, unionised environment. You’ll need to be:

• Qualified: CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent) with significant HR management experience.
• Experienced: Skilled in employee relations, organisational change, and managing union negotiations. Background in the not-for-profit, public sector, or membership organisations is highly valued.
• Knowledgeable: Up to date with UK employment law, HR systems, and best practice in people management.
• Influential: Strong communicator and relationship-builder, able to engage and influence at all levels.
• Values-driven: Committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and continuous improvement in people practices.

Why join?

This is an exciting chance to step into a role where you can make a visible and lasting impact. You’ll have the scope to reshape policies, implement new systems, and guide leaders through meaningful organisational change. If you’re motivated by modernising HR, supporting people to succeed, and working in a collaborative and purpose-led environment, please apply now.

We welcome applications from underrepresented communities, including Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic groups, disabled people, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Applicants are under constant review, and the role may be filled prior to the ad closing. For a further confidential discussion about this role and to discuss your career search, please reach out to Annabelle Stuart at MLC Partners.

Job Title: Policy and Impact Officer

Location: Home working with some travel 

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 35 hours per week

Salary: £24,000pa 

DBS/PVG: Not required

Job Family: 3

Line Manager: Head of Policy and Impact

Closing Date:  30th September 2025 We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications

Start Date: asap

Interview Dates: 23 October 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications

Who we are

At Volunteering Matters, we believe people have the power to create change. Whether through volunteering by helping others and giving time, or through social action such as speaking up, campaigning, or leading change, everyone can make a difference. We bring people together to build stronger communities across England, Scotland and Wales, making sure everyone has the chance to get involved and create real change.

What we do

We help people of all ages and backgrounds get involved in volunteering and social action. We focus on making sure that everyone, no matter their situation, has the chance to take part. 

How we do this

We support people to share their time and skills to help others and tackle big challenges in their communities.

• We remove barriers to volunteering and social action, making it easier for people who don’t always get the chance to take part.

• We listen to and amplify voices that aren’t always heard, helping volunteers and communities influence change.

• We help volunteers beyond their first experience, offering training, support, and pathways to new opportunities.

• We connect businesses with communities, creating meaningful employee volunteering projects.

• We show the impact of volunteering and social action, proving how it changes lives for the better.

Our promise to volunteers

We are always looking for new ways for volunteers to make a difference. We bring people together across generations and backgrounds to learn from each other and create change. At the same time, we make sure that all our volunteers are trained, supported, and valued, so they feel confident in what they do.

Role Purpose

The Policy and Impact Team sits at the heart of Volunteering Matters. We play a vital role in demonstrating the impact of our work connecting data, qualitative insight, and lived experience to the policy agendas shaping communities across the UK. Through storytelling, analysis, and evidence, we make sure volunteering is recognised as a driving force for social change.

We are a small, hands-on team. You will be involved in every aspect of our work from desk-based research and writing briefings to organising external meetings and working directly in communities alongside our volunteers. This variety allows you to connect national policy with local realities and help volunteers share their voices where it matters most.

 You will help bring our five-year strategy to life by linking project outcomes to broader societal developments and showcasing the impact of volunteers and communities.

Key Duties Responsibilities

· Support the Head of Policy and Impact to coordinate Volunteering Matters’ policy and public affairs work.

· Support people involved with our volunteering projects to engage with local politicians, e.g. by organising visits to projects or meetings with volunteers. 

· Monitor and respond to opportunities (e.g. relevant government consultations, All-Party Parliamentary Group inquiries or Select Committee inquiries) that are relevant to Volunteering Matters’ priorities.

· Support mapping and research exercises to inform our policy positioning. Writing summary reports as needed.

· Collaborate with the National Volunteer Engagement Manager to support the inclusion of volunteer and community voices in our policy and public affairs work.

· Assist with collecting impact and activity data from across the charity and work with the Data Analyst to undertake analysis.

· Support with routine collection of quarterly data from projects - ensuring responses are timely and accurate, providing guidance to project managers as needed.

· Work with project staff to help create impactful and engaging reports.

· Represent Volunteering Matters at charity and volunteering policy-related groups. 

 Essential Skills

· Understanding of UK political systems and policy-making processes across national, devolved, and local levels.

· Understanding of policy, public affairs, or influencing, ideally within the voluntary or community sector.

· Confident communicator, able to engage with policymakers, sector partners, and community representatives.

· Familiarity with both qualitative and quantitative data analysis to inform narrative reporting and strategic insight.

· Excellent writing skills, with the ability to craft clear, persuasive documents based on data and lived experience.

· Alignment with Volunteering Matters’ values and a commitment to amplifying community voice.

· Must adhere to the organisation’s Code of Conduct and uphold its values at all times.

· Proficient in Microsoft 365, particularly Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel, with the ability to manage email communications and collaborate digitally.

· Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, managing time and priorities in a busy environment.

· For remote roles, candidates must be self-starters who can work with minimal supervision, stay organised, and remain motivated to meet deadlines and deliver quality outcomes.

· Attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving and information sharing.

Experience Required

No specific experience is required.

Qualifications

Relevant skills and values alignment is more important for this role than specific qualifications.

Our Values & Way of Working

In all that we do we are guided by our values: Empowering, Inclusive, Compassionate, Positive & Straightforward.

Disability Confident & Reasonable Adjustments

We guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role. Please provide evidence in your application, which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required in the Job Description under skill and experience. To be considered for a guaranteed interview or to discuss any reasonable adjustments during the process, please state this in your cover letter.

GDPR Statement

If you apply for a role with us, we will retain your contact details including your name, address, email address and phone number to help us manage your application for up to six months.  We will not use your personal data for any other purpose or share it with any third party. You can contact us at any point to update your personal information or ask us to delete it from our records.

Policy on AI-Generated Applications 

Applications are accepted on trust, and we expect all submissions to reflect the applicant’s own words, experiences, and motivations. While tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) may support the application process, applications should not be generated wholly by AI. 

To Apply

Please send an updated, complete CV and cover letter via the Charity Job Apply button above. In your application clearly state which role you are applying for. In the cover letter please demonstrate how you would fulfil the role requirements, what previous relevant achievements you have (both in life and at work), what skills & experience you can offer, and what you believe you can contribute to Volunteering Matters.

Please note that all applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to progress applications that don’t meet this requirement. 

If you have any questions about current vacancies, the recruitment process, or need support, our team is here to help. Whether you're a candidate looking for more information or with an HR query, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

We're looking for someone to help manage Crimestoppers in the Avon and Somerset area.

Contract: Fixed term until 31 March 2026

Location: Home-based (with regional travel across Avon & Somerset)

Hours: 15 hours per week (0.4 FTE, flexible, including some unsociable hours)

Salary: £15,531 per annum (£38,828 FTE)

Crimestoppers is seeking a Regional Manager to act as our representative across the region. This key role will:

• Lead the creation and delivery of impactful crime prevention campaigns with law enforcement and community partners.

• Coordinate cross-border and national initiatives in support of ROCUs, the NCA, and other agencies.

• Drive funding opportunities to support our work, from campaigns to outreach.

• Empower volunteer committees to thrive and achieve their full potential.

• Act as a spokesperson for Crimestoppers with local and regional media.

We are looking for someone with strong project management and budget management experience, confident in working under pressure, building strategic relationships, and occasionally working unsociable hours. Experience with the voluntary sector, media campaigns, or policing practice would be an advantage.

This is a really exciting opportunity to make a real impact in crime prevention.

You'll find more details in the job pack here.

We are looking for a warm, flexible and highly motivated fundraiser to work across all areas of our fundraising, from securing income from trusts and foundations and corporate partners to staying on top of our individual giving. 

You’ll benefit from regular mentoring sessions with an external fundraising consultant and be able to foster close relationships with our board of trustees and other key stakeholders. 

BYO has a very small core team, which you’ll be part of, and a large number of freelancers and external staff that join for programmes, events and performances. Our registered office is at the London Coliseum but day-to-day, when our big
programmes aren’t running, we work remotely. 

You’ll find yourself inputting across the organisation – for an inquisitive and proactive person there are plenty of opportunities to take on more responsibility as we grow. Here at BYO we actively support professional development and are very open to flexible working.

Aurora New Dawn is a registered charity providing support and advocacy to survivors of domestic abuse, stalking and sexual violence.

The Children & Young Person’s Advocate will support children at risk of domestic abuse, including sexual violence and stalking within a domestic abuse context within the Thames Valley area. Children will be identified via their non-abusing parent who is already accessing support as a victim of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking from Aurora New Dawn. The support offered to the child will be parallel to the non-abusing parent’s support and offers the parent a safe space to speak confidentially to their advocate.

The Children & Young Person’s Advocate will take part in age appropriate activities via various communication channels with the child. This can include telephone conversations, face to face visits, reading books, arts and crafts and offering an environment for the child to communicate any worries or concerns they may have.

For further insight into the core duties of this role, please see the attached job description.

Why work for Kids Matter?

• Generous annual leave – 25 days (plus bank holidays) per year pro rata, with time off between Christmas and New Year's additional to this allowance.
• Remote working contribution – receive £26/month pro rata towards the costs of working from home and/or using a co-working space.
• Access to coaching sessions, training opportunities and our Employee Assistance Programme (a confidential support service for staff).
• Flexible working across weekdays to suit your schedule.

About us

Kids Matter is one of the UK’s fastest growing children’s charities.

Our vision is to see every child in need raised in a strong family. Our mission is to reduce the impact of poverty on children through community-based parenting programmes.

Research shows that group-based early intervention parenting groups are the most effective way to support children in need. We train peer facilitators in local churches - the largest voluntary body in the country - to run our affordable, accessible and highly effective parenting programmes, written by Clinical Psychologists. They come alongside parents and carers, building long-lasting community in addition to encouraging confidence and learning positive parenting skills.

We value difference and diversity, and we want our workplace to be built on shared values of equality and mutual trust, with team members representing the wide range of backgrounds and experiences that exist within the UK. We therefore actively encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds and varied experiences, particularly those who are African, Afro-Caribbean, Asian or part of other minority ethnic communities, who have lived experience of the impact of low-income/low-support circumstances, and who are living with a disability or identify as being neurodivergent.

About the role

The Research and Programmes Coordinator role involves:

• Overseeing administrative tasks for all research projects
• Supporting the Programme Development Team Lead in management of all research projects
• Liaising with the Support Coach team to connect with facilitators/parents for data collection e.g. supporting with the running of focus groups
• Using Kids Matter’s CRM to confidently record communication with consultants and Research Assistants
• Supporting the data gathering process for all our evaluation data including maintaining data integrity by performing regular data audits and cleaning parent data ready for the Research Assistants to analyse

About you

Are you organised with good attention to detail? Do you enjoy supporting others and having a varied workload? Can you prioritise and manage your time effectively? Are you a Christian with an active faith in Jesus? Do you have a passion for Kids Matter’s vision of seeing every child in need raised in a strong family?

Then we would love to hear from you!

How to apply

You can apply for the Research and Programmes Coordinator position by clicking ‘Apply via Website’ and completing a copy of our online application form.

The deadline for applications is 4pm on Monday 29th September 2025. All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.

We also ask for all applicants to submit an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, which will be sent to you to complete following the submission of your application. This form will be used for anonymous analysis to ensure our overall recruitment procedures are fair and transparent. It will never be viewed or used as part of the selection process. It is optional to submit this form.

If you would like any application/interview support or you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the application process, or if you would like an informal phone call to ask questions or discuss the role, please contact Katie Washington (HR & Systems Manager).

Please see the job pack for more details on the role and application process.

Location: Homebased (requirement to attend meetings at The Grange, periodically)

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday

What you will be doing

This is a strategic and creative role at the heart of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People’s national fundraising and engagement efforts. The post holder will lead the development and delivery of national community and challenge event programmes across all four UK regions (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland).

Using strong project and campaign management skills, the role will grow existing initiatives charity owned initiatives such as the Great British Dog Walk and the 28 Challenge and develop new, audience-led campaigns that inspire public participation, drive fundraising, and deepen long-term engagement with the charity.

In addition to the owned initiatives, the role will promote Hearing Dogs for Deaf People to participants of external national events such as The Great North Run or the London Marathon.

The ultimate objectives are to drive income generation and guide supporters from initial involvement to becoming volunteers for the broader work of the charity and legacy pledgers.

Desired candidate

• Proactive and confident self-starter with proven experience in campaign management, digital fundraising, and audience engagement.
• Strong understanding of social media tools, digital platforms, and challenge event management (e.g. Fundraising).
• Excellent project management and cross-team collaboration skills.
• Ability to develop creative propositions and media plans based on audience insight.
• Comfortable working in a hybrid environment with occasional travel to events and HQ.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills coupled with an enthusiastic and positive approach.

How to apply

If you are interested in working with us in this varied and immensely rewarding job, please send your CV and a cover letter explaining why you'd be perfect for the role.

Closing date for applications: Midday on Monday 6th October 2025.

Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) is looking to engage the services of a results-oriented consultant with great people skills to set up CAP projects in high harm areas.

About Us

CAP sets up and supports local partnerships that aim to reduce alcohol harm in children and young people, improve their health and well-being and enhance their communities. Our mission is to create an alcohol-free childhood for all children and young people.

Role Overview

The successful applicant will have a track record of building effective partnerships, the people and communication skills to involve and engage a wide range of local stakeholders and the leadership and project management skills to support projects through each phase of their lifecycle including baseline evaluation, action plan delivery, post intervention evaluation and maintenance/sustainment. After a short familiarisation period the successful applicant will be expected to oversee fast-track development of new CAPs in priority areas and take responsibility for all aspects of their management with minimal supervision.

A key requisite of the role will be the ability to forge effective public/private sector partnerships between statutory agencies, schools, youth charities and retailers following the CAP model and evaluation framework. The successful applicant may come from a police, public health, education, local authority or other relevant background.

Key Responsibilities

· Proactively identify opportunities for new CAPs and facilitate set up of new CAPs in priority areas.

· Ensure that all new CAP projects carry out appropriate and timely interventions and evaluate all activity in line with the CAP evaluation toolkit – including a baseline and post intervention evaluation.

· Raise the profile of CAPs in the North East of England and ensure that their impact is recognised by key stakeholders.

Specific duties to include the following:

o Represent CAP at all operational meetings.

o Ensure that Retail of Alcohol Standards Group (RASG) member companies play a full delivery role in each CAP where they operate as businesses.

o Liaise as appropriate with strategic leads within local enforcement authorities and other partner organisations to initiate and complete agreed actions.

o Encourage all projects to achieve positive local media coverage including via social media and regional news/broadcast media.

o Ensure that all projects carry out as a minimum a baseline (pre-CAP) evaluation and post intervention evaluation following the CAP evaluation framework and project management survey tools.

o Produce a monthly progress report on all schemes and pipeline activity.

o Attend and participate in regular CAP update meetings on Microsoft teams (x12 pa).

o Assist with event planning and profile-raising opportunities such as MP visits to CAP projects.

Skills, attributes and experience

• Essential to the role will be the ability to persuade key stakeholders at local and national level of the need to address underage drinking problems and to facilitate effective and dynamic local partnerships involving any/all of the following sectors: local authorities, education, child protection, social services, public health, police, retailers and licensing.
• Excellent organisational and sound project management skills.
• Great people skills with the ability to build consensus and motivate partners to play a role in timely delivery of an agreed action plan.
• Act as an ambassador for CAP at meetings and events including parliamentary events.
• Excellent presentation and all-round communication skills.
• Capable administrator with the ability to keep accurate records including data collection around outputs and impact evaluation.

Remuneration: Consultancy fee of £320 per day depending on experience. Work will depend on ability to generate interest in setting up new CAPs but we anticipate as a guideline engaging a minimum of 3 days of consultancy per week. All reasonable and agreed travel expenses will be paid in line with invoice arrangements.

Job Title: Known internally as Relationship Manager (South Coast)

Location: Home-based covering South Coast of England. This role covers Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey or Dorset. Candidates must live in one of these counties to be located in close proximity to our supporters. Applications from those due to move in the region will be consider - please make this clear within your application

Additional requirement: Access to a car and the ability to drive is required as the role requires frequent travel across the region to attend meetings, events and training

Hours: 35 hrs per week                                    

Contract type: Permanent

Salary: £34,616 per annum

What we do: We help young people through cancer

How we work: We’re Determined, United, Spirited and Kind

What we’re looking for:

• Someone with a successful track record of building strong internal and external relationships and generating income ideally from community and corporate opportunities
• Someone who can create and deliver strong stewardship plans to maximise income and retain our supporters
• Someone with a growth mindset who is solution focused. Someone who can manage their time and workload, and utilise our given processes, systems, and parameters to overcome barriers
• Someone who can deliver a personal portfolio within an overall Regional Fundraising team target, demonstrating an understanding of how to mitigate risk and maximise return on investment

What we offer: 

• Leave: 25 days of annual leave, which increases with service, in addition to bank holidays and a 3 or 4 day closure over the Christmas period. We also have finish early Fridays in August and quarterly rest days to step away from day-to-day work and refocus.
• Flexible bank holidays: the option to swap five UK public holidays (except 25th, 26thDecember, and 1st January or any substitute bank holidays for these dates) for other dates off. 
• Paid Carer and Compassionate Leave: paid time off to care for family members or dependants. 
• Paid Parental Leave: enhanced pay for parental leave such as maternity leave, paternity leave or adoption leave. 
• Paid Volunteering Leave: support your community by taking paid leave for volunteering activities. 
• Health Cashback Plan: access a health cashback plan to cover medical expenses. 
• Life assurance and Income Protection: financial support if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury.
• Discount scheme: access exclusive savings at various high street retailers and gyms. 
• Flexible Working: we care about your wellbeing and encourage flexible work arrangements to promote work-life balance. 

How to apply: 

You’ll need to register on our portal, complete a short application and answer four questions about your skills and experience in relation to the role.

Key dates:  

Applications by the end of 21st September. 1st interviews held online on 24th and 26th September, and 2nd interviews held face to face in Teenage Cancer Trust head office in London on 2nd October.

Our commitment to inclusion and accessibility: 

At Teenage Cancer Trust one of our key focuses is around equity and making sure our services are accessible and inclusive to all young people with cancer, with no-one left behind. We have the same goal for people working with us. Teenage Cancer Trust is committed to recognising and valuing individual differences and the contributions of all people.  

Should you require any assistance or adjustments to support your application or interview process, such as additional time for tasks, meeting the panellists beforehand, information in another format or a different interview format (online/offline/in person), please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the HR Team.

We are a Disability Confident employer which means we have committed to offering interviews to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role listed under the 'What you'll bring to the team' section of the job description. If you would like to opt into this scheme, please tick yes on the application form.

Privacy and Safeguarding: 

At Teenage Cancer Trust we take our commitment to safeguarding seriously and work to protect and promote the rights of the young people who we support. Our safeguarding responsibilities extend to the children and adults who work to support the charity, who we also have a duty of care to protect. Safeguarding is at the forefront of each activity we carry out. In line with our approach, this role is subject to a DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service).  

For information on how we collect, store and process personal data please get in touch with the HR Team.

Job Title: Online Engagement and Inclusion Lead (Young People’s Services)

Organisation: Kids

Location: Remote work with occasional travel to London for in-person meeting

Hours: 36 hours per week

Contract: Fixed term for 2 years

Salary- £31,000 - £33,000

Purpose

This role leads the coordination of Kids’ online engagement and digital inclusion work for young people with SEND, including information provision, participation, and wellbeing support. You will deliver a two-year Online Wellbeing and Resilience Support Programme, including identifying and engaging digitally excluded young people to help them access vital digital tools and services. The role also drives collaboration across the Digital Services Consortium (a collaboration of 12 children’s charities), embedding shared learning, outcome measurement, and inclusive digital practices across Kids, and will create new capacity to work with young people to scope and deploy online campaigning activity.  

Responsibilities

• To lead and coordinate Kids’ online engagement and inclusion work for young people with SEND. This includes Kids’ online information provision; voice/ participation and wellbeing work.
• To develop and deliver Kids’ two-year digital inclusion programme, Online Wellbeing and Resilience Support Programme* to ensure reach and impact is maximised.
• To work with the Digital Services Consortium Driving Digital Inclusion members on shared digital project outcome measures and community of practice, ensuring learnings and online engagement and digital inclusion principles are captured, shared and built into the organisation.
• To identify and recruit (working closely with colleagues from services across Kids) digitally excluded young people to the digital inclusion programme so they can become digitally included and access much needed support and guidance.
• To establish a holistic and joined up approach to Young People’s online engagement and digital inclusion with Kids.
• To create new capacity to work across all services and teams, and with a range of young people, to scope and deploy online campaigning capabilities in line with Kids’ Speak Up and wider national and local influencing work.

Key to your success in the role will be:

• Ensuring an audience-led approach, leading and championing an important collaborative way of working across Kids existing young people's services.
• Confidently working within the Kids digital infrastructure and context – understanding where we are at on our digital journey, building excellent problem-solving relationships with marketing, IT, change team and young people’s services colleagues.
• Helping to embed digital inclusion practices across the organisation.
• Applying strong digital, data and analytical skills to enable you to baseline, track and measure progress.
• Demonstrating excellent attention to detail whilst being flexible to adapt to the needs of a new programme.
• Influencing the broader Kids service teams to identify and engage digitally excluded young people.
• Centering the voices and needs of young people with SEND.

Person Specification

Experience

• Proven experience working in digital engagement initiatives, ideally with young people or vulnerable groups.
• Involvement in programmes that promote digital inclusion and wellbeing.
• Experience in outcome measurement, impact reporting, and using data to inform practice.

Desirable

• Experience in co-producing content or services with young people, including those with SEND.

Skills

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple workstreams and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, tailored to diverse audiences including young people, professionals, and stakeholders.
• Skilled in using digital tools and platforms to deliver services and measure engagement.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and build strong internal and external relationships.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and practices in online environments.
• Awareness of current trends in digital engagement and youth participation.
• Knowledge of inclusive digital design and accessibility standards.
• Understanding of digital inclusion principles and the barriers faced by digitally excluded young people.

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about inclusion, equity, and empowering young people.
• Committed to co-production and user-led design.
• Growth mindset and proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Committed to continuous learning and sharing best practices.
• Flexible and adaptable, with a collaborative mindset.

*About the funded programme

Kids Online Wellbeing and Resilience Support Programme will help young people with SEND (aged 13 – 25 years) build resilience, positive self-regard and meaningful connections.

Our goal is to reduce isolation and protect mental health through a supportive, inclusive digital environment. We’ll begin by consulting directly with young people to understand what they need most. Together, we’ll co-create new online content and resources that truly reflect their voices and experiences. 

 What the Programme Offers: 

• Online information with resources codesigned with young people with SEND. 

• A series of interactive webinars and guided online activities. 

• Free devices and data to improve access to those who need it most, plus the support to ensure everyone can participate.

We will reach over 1,800 young people over the two year funded period.

Partner Acknowledgements

Thanks to National Lottery players, the Digital Services Consortium (DSC) has received over £1.5 million over two years from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK. The DSC has also received a grant of £400,000 from BBC Children in Need for two years to provide digital support for disabled or seriously ill children and young people and their family members across the UK. Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone have generously donated devices and data through the Good Things Foundation National Databank and Device Bank which will help address affordability barriers.