Blind volunteer jobs

We're the UK's specialist blood cancer charity and our vision is clear: we’re here to beat blood cancer. We fund world-class research; provide information and support to patients and their loved ones; and raise awareness of blood cancer.

Are you a strategic marketing leader with a passion for making a difference? Blood Cancer UK is looking for a Senior Direct Marketing Manager to manage a high-performing team, deliver insight-led, multi-channel campaigns, and make a real difference to the lives of people affected by blood cancer. This is an exciting opportunity to be responsible for impactful direct marketing campaigns that grow individual giving and engage supporters. 

Based in London with hybrid working options (2–4 days per month in the office, may increase dependent on business needs), this role offers the opportunity to lead a talented team, innovate with digital channels, and champion campaigns that engage and inspire supporters. If you thrive on turning data into action and delivering outstanding results, we want to hear from you.

We are committed to actively promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity. In line with our strategy we welcome approaches from individuals from underrepresented groups, including minority communities, and applicants with a disability, to better reflect the community we serve and help broaden our perspectives. 

We're the UK's specialist blood cancer charity and our vision is clear: we’re here to beat blood cancer. We fund world-class research; provide information and support to patients and their loved ones; and raise awareness of blood cancer. 

Blood Cancer UK is looking for a Direct Marketing Manager to deliver innovative, insight-led direct marketing campaigns that grow supporter engagement and maximize income. This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative, high-performing team and help shape digital fundraising products and campaigns that make a real difference to people affected by blood cancer.

Based in London with hybrid working options (2–4 days per month in the office may increase dependent on business needs) this role offers hands-on campaign delivery, opportunities to develop new fundraising products, and the chance to contribute to strategic digital acquisition. If you enjoy using data to drive decisions, experimenting with new approaches, and delivering campaigns that really engage supporters, we’d love to hear from you.

We are committed to actively promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity. In line with our strategy we welcome approaches from individuals from underrepresented groups, including minority communities, and applicants with a disability, to better reflect the community we serve and help broaden our perspectives.

This role is based at our Reading office, working 35 hours per week, Monday through to Friday. We value in-person collaboration with our teams and support hybrid working arrangements, we aim for colleagues to be on-site two days per week with the option to work from remotely for the remaining days offering flexibility to work in a way that’s best for you.

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About the role 

We are looking for a Data Selection Analyst to join our Customer Experience Data Team. As a Selections Analyst, you’ll play a key role in delivering accurate data selections to support fundraising and marketing communications. Through analysis you will help shape and enhance fundraising efforts, informing targeting and testing, ultimately influencing how we engage with and support our community of donors, volunteers and supporters. 

In this role, you will work with the product teams to inform targeting in order ensure their communications reach the right audience and achieve the most effective results for Guide Dogs. You will analyse campaign performance and provide insightful recommendations to fundraising managers, helping them make informed decisions to maximise income opportunities. Your ability to present clear and actionable data analysis will be essential in driving the success of fundraising campaigns and contributing to the organisation's growth.

If you're passionate about using data to make a difference, we would love to hear from you.

Skills we are looking for

Significant knowledge and experience in SQL, Microsoft Excel and Power BI would be key to succeed in this position. Knowledge or working experience on statistical packages, preferably Apteco FastStats or equivalent is desirable but not essential.

This role demands comfort in collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams with potentially opposing objectives. Your ability to communicate clearly and concisely on aspects relating to complex technical to a non-technical audience will be essential. The team works in a demanding environment, where meeting deadline is key whilst balancing against ensuring high quality, accurate and compliant output. 

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No two people with sight loss are the same, and none of our people are either. So, we are proud to offer a range of person-centred benefits that can support each member of staff in ways that really mean something to them – and show them how much they mean to us. We offer a flexible benefits package, discounts and cashback scheme, a generous holiday allowance and matched contributory pension scheme to care for our people. You’ll also have the chance to be part of a passionate, values-driven team, and help make a real difference in the lives of people with sight loss.

Join Us in Growing a Greener Future

Western Forest – part of England’s National Forest network and hosted by the Forest of Avon Trust – is driving an ambitious mission to restore nature, improve wellbeing, and create a climate-resilient landscape across the West of England.

We're expanding our team and looking for a Woodland Management Lead to help shape the future of our region’s trees and woodlands. If you’re passionate about woodland resilience, biodiversity, and supporting landowners to manage woodlands sustainably, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

About the Role

As our Woodland Management Lead, you will lead the delivery of woodland management across the Western Forest, helping us bring 1,500 hectares of woodland into active, sustainable management.

This is a varied and rewarding role combining project management, technical forestry expertise, grant scheme development, and stakeholder engagement. You’ll work closely with landowners, forestry agents, farmers, community groups, and partner organisations to enhance woodlands for ecological, economic, and social benefit.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading woodland management projects, from planning to on-the-ground delivery
• Providing trusted technical advice on forestry and woodland management
• Preparing Forestry Commission Woodland Management Plans
• Developing and managing a woodland management grant scheme
• Engaging with landowners, farmers and stakeholders to promote best practice
• Delivering workshops to build skills and confidence in woodland management

About You

We're looking for someone who combines forestry expertise with strong project management and communication skills. You’ll thrive when coordinating multiple partners and enjoy supporting others to improve woodland health and resilience.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

We believe a diverse team creates stronger, more resilient outcomes. We warmly welcome applications from under‑represented groups in forestry and the environmental sector, including people from minority ethnic backgrounds, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those from lower socio‑economic backgrounds.

We operate a blind shortlisting process to ensure fairness and focus on your skills and experience. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Any questions or if you’d like to have an informal discussion before applying, please email Jack McCrickard, Woodland and Nature Recovery Manager on the email address provided in the job pack on our website.

Intended interviews during week commencing Monday 9 March 2026.

We will inform all applicants of the outcome of your application but we may not be able to provide individual feedback to all applicants.

We are looking for a new colleague to be a part of the Housing team in London making sure our customers receive a professional and high quality service.

In this busy role you'll use your knowledge and skills to resolve a range of housing management challenges including anti-social behaviour, housing and neighbourhood issues, contract related breaches or changes, fraud and safeguarding.

You'll manage your own caseload and build effective working relationships with external agencies.

As a Housing Officer at SNG you'll make a big difference to people's lives within an experienced, supportive and supported team.

What you'll need:

• The ability to proactively manage a complex caseload 
• Strong communication skills with previous experience of working with customers in a demanding environment.
• Experience in providing an Excellent customer service, contributing to us achieving a 90% customer satisfaction rate
• Previous experience, or a knowledge of delivering housing management services
• Experience of using computer systems, for example Microsoft Office
• The ability to establish, develop and maintain effective working relationships with all work colleagues, contractors and partnering agencies

What you need to know:

You will be joining our team in London based in the Wembley office.

You'll be working with our customers in Brent.

The role is permanent, and you'll be working full time (37 hours a week).

The starting salary is £35,000 - £40,000 depending on your experience.

A basic DBS check will be completed if you are successful.

As a part of the SNG team some of your benefits will include:

• 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays (with an extra day every year up to 30 days)
• Chance to buy or sell holiday as part of our flexible benefits package
• 3 additional Wellbeing days and 2 paid volunteering days
• Generous matched pension scheme up to 12% and Life cover at 4x salary 
• Enhanced maternity/adoption pay 
• Enhanced paternity pay - 6 weeks full pay (after 26 weeks' service)
• Options for private medical insurance, dental insurance and critical illness cover
• Wellbeing discounts, including Gym Memberships and access to a 24/7 virtual GP services

If you are a looking for a demanding and interesting new role where you'll work collaboratively to make a real difference to our communities, we would like to hear from you.

Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, with around 300 people diagnosed every day. The Macular Society is the only charity determined to beat the fear and isolation of macular disease with world class research, and the best advice and support.

To support people affected by macular disease now, the Macular Society provides a range of support, information and services. Our research programme is focused on finding new treatments and a cure to Beat Macular Disease forever.

If you have excellent customer service skills, good telephone manner and experience of taking a large volume of calls we’d love to hear from you.

As Supporter Care Officer, you will be the first point of contact for our supporters, donors, members and the public, ensuring they have a positive experience. You will handle enquiries via phone, email and post, processing payments and maintaining accurate records. You will input data and use your IT skills to work with our database as well as Microsoft Office 365, predominantly Word, Outlook and Teams. You’ll have proven experience in a customer care role, handling a large volume of calls, and used to multi-tasking in a busy, fast paced office environment.

In return we provide a great working culture. 26 days annual leave, rising to 27 after one year’s service, the ability to buy or sell annual leave, supportive family policies, and 6% pension contribution.

Macular Society is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application

• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability in the covering letter/application email

• Where the minimum (essential) criteria have been met, we will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and welcome applications from all parts of the community, in particular people with lived experience of sight loss.

Please see attached for the Job description, cut off date and interview dates.

Inclusive & Blind Recruitment Statement:

In line with Caudwell Youth’s recruitment policy, we operate a blind recruitment process to help ensure a fair and unbiased selection. At the initial application stage, we ask all candidates to submit only a CV and a covering letter (maximum 1 side of A4) 

Please use your covering letter to explain why you are interested in this position and to explain how your experience, skills, or achievements enable you to meet the person specification and support your application.

Your anonymised cover letter to this question will be the only information shared with the interview panel for the blind shortlisting process, so we encourage you to make it clear and impactful.

Should you be shortlisted for an interview, you will then be invited to fill in our full application form.

We value equity, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities.

ABOUT US

Not all young people have the same opportunities in life. Caudwell Youth exists to level the playing field for young people at risk. We support young people up to 25 years, who face real challenges in their lives. They may experience mental health challenges, be leaving care or be at risk of exploitation or offending.

We provide person centred support through volunteer-led mentoring for up to 18-months, alongside a targeted intervention programme called Shaping Futures for high-risk young people. Founded by the philanthropist John Caudwell in 2022, we now support young people across Milton Keynes, Hertfordshire, Slough, Buckinghamshire, and Luton.

Over our first 3 years as a charity, our work has consistently achieved exceptional outcomes for at-risk young people. 95% reduced offending behaviour, 64% reduced their exploitation risk, 83% reported improvements in their mental health and 45% had moved into education, employment or training. When a young person makes progress, families and communities benefit too. In fact, economic analysis shows that for every £1 invested in our programme, we save the public purse £6.05.

Unfortunately, demand for our service far outstrips supply, meaning we have often had to close our waiting lists. Whilst the risks and challenges young people face continue to grow. We currently support around 400 young people. The driving ambition behind our forthcoming strategy is to reach more.

To achieve this we are setting out to develop and expand our programmes. To become a national charity. We will do this working with at-risk young people, empowering them in everything we do. Our ambition to support more at-risk young people is shared with them.

OUR VISION: A brighter future for at-risk young people.

OUR MISSION: Empowering at-risk young people to shape their own future through mentoring and youth-led support.

Purpose of Role:

Provide strategic leadership on all Caudwell Youth’s external communications, ensuring they are effective in driving engagement and delivering our strategic goals.

Responsible as part of the Senior Leadership Team for the overall leadership of Caudwell Youth. Promoting the mission, vision and values of the charity, and the development and implementation of our strategic plan.

Key Duties:

Corporate leadership

• As part of the Senior Leadership Team work with the Board of Trustees to: develop and progress the organisation’s strategy, set and manage the organisation’s budget and ensure risks are managed effectively
• Lead by example, instilling a values-led and inclusive culture, with strong youth involvement

Commnications

• Lead on brand strategy, developing the brand to become more youth-led, reviewing our visual identity, core messaging, content and channels.
• Be responsible for digital strategy, leading development of our website and social media channels.
• Be responsible for our CRM, maintaining good data practices and delivering timely, integrated communications to our key audiences.
• Lead the development of communication plans, storytelling, assets and content; increasing the proportion of content created and delivered by young people.
• Provide the framework and support for youth participation in communications activities, working effectively with the Operations teams.
• Work with young people to identify influencers and celebrity/ambassador support to raise awareness and support our brand values.
• Lead proactive and reactive media engagement; including crisis communications with support from the CEO and John Caudwell’s PR team.
• Ensure our brand and communications convey a powerful case for support; working with the Fundraising team to create compelling donor communications to recruit and engage challenge participants and donors.
• Develop and deliver marketing strategies for volunteer recruitment to enable our mentoring programmes to grow.
• Gather and share the views and experiences of young people to influence change, building policy and campaigns activity as resources allow.
• Oversee the production of digital, printed and physical assets as required.
• Lead and manage the Communications team effectively, supporting development to maximise performance.
• Ensure effective processes and analytics are in place, reporting to SLT and the Board of Trustees on KPIs

​Administration

• Manage the Communications budget
• Be responsible for our marketing software, including CRM, and adhere to data retention schedules.
• Act as Data Protection Officer for Caudwell Youth
• Undertake and identify training as required and take a positive approach to personal development.
• Undertake any other reasonable tasks deemed necessary.

Experience:

Essential

• Proven experience in senior communications roles.
• Sound leadership and team management experience, with the ability to manage and motivate teams to achieve targets.
• A minimum of five years’ experience in communications, media relations/PR, advocacy and/or marketing.
• Experience of involving beneficiaries in communications activities, preferably young people
• An good understanding of GDPR.

Desirable

• Experience of working on charity communications
• Knowledge or experience of fundraising practices
• Experience of policy and campaigns
• Experience of working with young people
• Lived experience that aligns with the young people we support

Skills:

• Ability to work strategically and collaboratively as part of a senior leadership team.
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for storytelling.
• An understanding of developing support journeys to promote engagement
• Proficiency in digital marketing and social media management.

We are an experienced team that are dedicated to improving the lives of the young people we support.

Benefits:

• Flexible working
• Hybrid – working from home with travel as required
• WPA Healthcare (including Employee Assistance Programme and extended counselling sessions)
• Group Personal Pension with a 5% employer contribution and Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• 25 days annual leave (FTE) plus bank holidays, plus charity closure between Christmas and New Year
• Extra paid day off on your birthday
• Paid day off for volunteering in your community
• Training opportunities to support your personal development
• Employee discounts on everyday goods and services
• Being part of a passionate and dedicated team

Caudwell Youth is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment, we undertake disclosure checks in accordance with the Codes of Practice for all. Having a criminal record will not automatically exclude applicants.

As an organisation supporting young people with care experience, with mental health and those at risk of criminal exploitation and offending, we are keen to receive applications from those with lived experience. For those who are care experienced, we will guarantee an interview.

We actively seek to bring diverse perspectives and experience, and especially welcome applications from disabled people and those from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic backgrounds and LGBTQ+.

The Opportunity:   

The Aspiring Professionals Programme Coordinator (APPC) role will be well-suited to someone who is focused on the best ways they can help the aims of the charity as well as those of our participants and partners. An APPC is responsible for supporting the delivery and development of the Social Mobility Foundation’s programme of activities for young people through their S5-6/sixth form and university years.   
The SMF offers in-person and online support and opportunities, so this role will involve providing virtual and in-person support to students and working with employers across the UK.

Key Responsibility Areas:
1. Project Delivery 

• Deliver key projects including recruiting and onboarding students, creating digital resources and student events  
• Support with programme pilots, scoping (and delivering on) new activity   
• Collaborate and build relationships with our employer partners, schools, and universities to support our young people in their applications for university, internships and graduate roles  

 2. Monitoring and Evaluation  

• Maintain accurate records across relevant databases, updating data accurately and in a timely manner  
• Contribute to evaluation for key work areas (residentials, events, internships etc), produce high quality evaluation reports where required.

3. Stakeholder Management

• Communicate to internal and external stakeholders in a timely and professional manner
• Proactively update external partners (i.e. employers) on your work areas, flagging risks in a timely manner with relationship managers
• Manage internal student queries and maintain consistent stakeholder (e.g. students) processes through regular communication

4. Activity Delivery  

• Coordinate planning and delivery of skills sessions, partner events, university visits, and other activities, both virtually and in person across the Social Mobility Foundation’s target cities across the UK  
• Create digital resources to support all provisions

Please see full job description attached for more details. 

Person Specification:

We need someone who will demonstrate our organisational skills-based competencies - as listed below: 

1.  Leadership
2.  Communication
3.  Adaptability
4.  Professionalism 
5.  Decision-making

Technical knowledge, understanding and experience required:

• Basic Microsoft Office, particularly Microsoft Excel  
• A basic understanding of the barriers young people face in accessing university and particular careers  

Ways of working:

• Most of our work is office based, but you will spend a lot of time collaborating with other teams and clients via email, telephone and other communications channels such as Teams or Zoom.  
• This role requires you to attend staff residentials for students on our Programme. This means that during the summer period (Jul – Aug) you will be expected to stay overnight on-site (in the UK - exact location to be confirmed closer to the time) for a period of up to two-weeks, help run the residential and be responsible for the welfare of the young people involved.

Travel:

• Some travel, to other offices and other locations, will occasionally be expected. 

Benefits:

• 36/37 days' annual leave (England & Wales and Scotland respectively - includes bank and public holidays), with 3 of these days reserved for the annual end of year office closure
• Cycle to Work Scheme
•  5% Salary sacrifice pension scheme with enhanced matching employer contributions
• Employee Assistance Programme available to staff and their family
• Flexible work options such as hybrid working, flexitime, part-time
• Regular staff team building and business planning “away days”

About Us:
We are a values-driven organisation committed to improving the lives of adults with complex needs. Our specialist Day Service provides a supportive, person-centred environment where everyone can thrive.

The Role:
We’re looking for a compassionate and organised Transition and Placement Coordinator to support adults as they move into our Day Service. You will coordinate personalised transitions and placements, liaise with families, carers, and external agencies, and work closely with our multidisciplinary team to ensure each individual receives the support they need.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement personalised transition plans.

• Coordinate pre-placement visits, trial periods, and placement allocations, including transport.

• Maintain accurate placement records and funding agreements.

• Organise reviews and adapt plans based on feedback.

• Act as primary contact for families, carers, and professionals.

• Build strong relationships with schools, social care, healthcare providers, and funders.

• Promote the Day Service and support smooth referral pathways.

Person Specification:

• Excellent communication, organisational, and advocacy skills.

• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams.

• Proactive, detail-oriented, and flexible to changing needs.

• Strong relationship-building and coordination skills.

• Experience with complex needs and adult transitions desirable.

• Proficient in record-keeping and IT systems.

• Person-centred, passionate, and a team player.

Why Join Us:

• Make a real difference in the lives of adults with complex needs.

• Be part of a supportive, collaborative, and values-driven team.

• Work for an organisation that values innovation, person-centred care, and inclusivity.

• We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

Marketing & Communications Officer

Location: Central London

Salary: £30,000 per annum plus London Weighting

Contract Type: Permanent, full-time, office based with some travel out of the office base

The Marketing and Communications Officer will play a key role in delivering Deafblind UK’s marketing and communications activity, helping to tell powerful stories, grow brand awareness, and strengthen engagement with people with lived experience, supporters, funders, and the wider public.

Working alongside the Head of Marketing & Communications, the postholder will act as a proactive and trusted collaborator, supporting teams across services, fundraising, volunteering and operations. This role is not only about delivering day-to-day communications; it will also play a key part in our next stage of growth—bringing energy, creativity and new ways of thinking to help us expand our influence and impact.

This is an exciting opportunity for a collaborative, proactive content expert to play a hands-on role in shaping our voice and impact.

Responsibilities

Content & Campaigns

• Research, write and publish engaging content across multiple channels (website, social media, email, press, print).
• Create photo and video content.
• Develop case studies and human-interest stories that bring Deafblind UK’s work to life.
• Support the planning and delivery of national campaigns (e.g. Deafblind Awareness Week, annual conference, fundraising appeals).
• Produce and schedule content using tools such as Hootsuite, Mailchimp and Canva (or similar).
• Internal Business Partnering
• Act as a responsive and proactive marketing partner for internal teams, building strong relationships with colleagues across the organisation.
• Understand the goals and priorities of internal stakeholders, translating them into effective communications outputs.
• Respond promptly to requests for marketing and communications support, prioritising, managing resources advising and guiding colleagues to achieve the best outcomes.
• Coordinate internal communications and updates to ensure all staff and volunteers feel informed and inspired by Deafblind UK’s work.

Digital Marketing

• Maintain and update website content and e-marketing, ensuring accessibility, accuracy and alignment with brand guidelines.
• Support the growth of Deafblind UK’s digital audiences, accurately and consistently tracking engagement and reach using analytics and insights and adjusting approaches accordingly.
• Measuring and reporting on digital outcomes, keeping up to date with best practices and new opportunities.
• Assist in the creation and delivery of paid digital activity (social and search).
• Ensure all communications adhere to accessibility and inclusion best practice.
• Media & PR
• Support media monitoring and maintain up-to-date media contact lists.
• Using strong news and political instincts to respond to media enquiries in coordination with the Head of Marketing & Communications.
• Help identify and prepare case studies, photography, and spokespeople for press opportunities.

Brand & Internal Communications

• Champion consistent use of Deafblind UK’s brand, tone of voice, and visual identity across all channels.
• Support colleagues to apply the brand effectively in their own materials and communications.
• Contribute to internal communications such as newsletters, intranet content and staff updates.

Events & Partnerships

• Assist in the planning and delivery of events, exhibitions, and partnership activations.
• Liaise with suppliers, freelancers, and creative agencies when required.
• Monitoring & Evaluation
• Track KPIs and engagement data, compiling regular reports on digital and media performance.
• Contribute creative ideas and insights to improve marketing effectiveness and internal collaboration.

Person Specification

Experience & Skills

• Significant experience in marketing, communications, or/and PR
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a flair for storytelling.
• Proven ability to manage relationships and provide high-quality support to internal stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of social media platforms, content scheduling, and analytics – and a proactive interest in adapting to trends and changes in best practice.
• Experience producing accessible and engaging content for digital and print channels.
• Organised and proactive, able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Commitment to equality, inclusion, and Deafblind UK’s mission.
• Familiarity with CMS (e.g. WordPress) and CRMs and email marketing tools (e.g. Mailchimp).
• Some experience with design tools (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar).

Personal Attributes

• Collaborative, responsive and relationship-focused, a natural team player who builds trust and supports others.
• Creative, curious, and adaptable, a self-starter who thrives in a small team.
• Passionate about making communications more inclusive and impactful.
• Positive, resilient, and solutions-focused.
• Commitment to our organisational values.

Closing Date: Monday 16th February

Final Panel Interviews: Wednesday 25th February

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Deaf Blind UK, please do not hesitate to apply.

As an interim Supervising Solicitor in Public Law, you will supervise and carry out CPAG’s public law legal aid cases, to benefit families and children in poverty. You will play an active role in managing CPAG’s legal practice and conduct high-profile public law litigation. 

We are looking for someone who is passionate about using the law to advocate for the rights of, and directly improve the lives of, families in poverty. The ideal candidate will be a solicitor (E&W qualified) with experience of conducting public law litigation and legal aid (publicly funded) work. You will be able to supervise the casework of colleagues, such as CPAG’s junior or trainee solicitor(s) and welfare benefit advisers. You may have experience of working with clients in vulnerable situations or with additional needs, for example, survivors of domestic abuse, refugees, disabled people or children and young people.

We welcome applications from individuals with the skills and experience outlined and we can be flexible about working arrangements. We operate a hybrid working system and would be happy to discuss any flexibilities required. CPAG is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion which you can read more about in the job pack. 

We welcome applications on a secondment basis.

For more information about this post and to apply download the Supervising Solicitor - Public Law (Interim)

Introduction and Purpose of the post: 

We are seeking an experienced, values-driven Clinical Services Manager to provide clinical leadership, operational oversight, and strategic development for our Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression service. 

You will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, high-quality, and culturally responsive psychological therapies, while supporting and developing a multidisciplinary clinical team. 

This role combines clinical leadership, service management, workforce development, and quality assurance, with a strong emphasis on inclusive practice and community accountability. 

Main duties and responsibilities: 

Clinical & Professional Leadership 

• Provide senior clinical leadership across the service, ensuring safe and ethical practice in line with professional, legal, and organisational standards. 

• Maintain oversight of clinical risk, safeguarding, and governance arrangements. 

• Promote culturally responsive, anti-oppressive, and LGBTQ+ affirmative clinical practice. 

Service Management & Development 

• Lead day-to-day operational management of the Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression service 

• Oversee access, waiting times, outcomes, and service performance 

• Use data, feedback, and community insight to drive service improvement 

• Contribute to service development, innovation, and funding or commissioning requirements 

Workforce Leadership & Supervision 

• Line manage clinical staff, including therapists, supervisors, and trainees 

• Ensure high-quality clinical supervision, reflective practice, and CPD opportunities. 

• Foster a supportive, psychologically safe, and inclusive team culture 

• Provide training, supervision, guidance, and consultation to other professionals who directly contribute to the formulation and treatment of individual patients, including those in other teams within the organisation.  

Equity, Inclusion & Community Engagement 

• Embed anti-racist, culturally informed, and LGBTQ+ inclusive frameworks across the service. 

• Work collaboratively with community organisations and stakeholders 

• Champion the voices and experiences of ACH, Global Majority, and LGBTQ+ service users 

Personal specification  

The remaining sections outlines what criteria will be used to appoint the suitable candidate.

Criteria are marked as (E) are essential and (D) desirable. (I) would indicate which criteria shall be evaluated at the interview. 

Experience, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities - Values and Motivations: 

Connected: Creating a compassionate and supportive community. 

• Ability to build trusting relationships with staff, service users, and external partners (E, I) 

• Experience of collaborative, multidisciplinary team working (E, I) 

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to engage sensitively across cultural, racial, and LGBTQ+ identities (E, I) 

• Commitment to reflective practice, supervision, and staff development (E, I) 

• Experience of engaging with service user feedback to inform service delivery (E, I) 

• Experience working in partnership with community organisations, voluntary sector, or grassroots groups (D) 

• Lived or professional experience working closely with ACH, Global Majority, and/or LGBTQ+ communities (D) 

• Experience co-producing services or pathways with service users and communities (D) 

Fair:  We strive for equity - no-one's needs should go unmet. 

• Strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in mental health services (E, I) 

• Understanding of structural inequalities and their impact on mental health and access to care (E, I) 

• Experience delivering or overseeing culturally responsive and LGBTQ+ affirmative psychological therapies (E, I) 

• Knowledge of safeguarding, ethical practice, and clinical governance frameworks (E, I) 

• Commitment to fair, transparent, and supportive people management practices (E, I) 

Introduction

East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) working with Mind CHWF and other voluntary sector partners is delighted to offer a secondment as a community connector to support the mental well-being of people with complex mental health and social needs in the Neighbourhoods in City & Hackney.

This is a new role and we are looking to work with individuals from the voluntary sector to help us co-design and test out the role.  You will help to shape the role, working closely with people in Neighbourhoods to reflect their strengths, interests and ideas for what matters to them about good mental well-being.

You will be a welcome member of the multi-disciplinary (MDT) mental health team, with day-to-day managerial and professional supervision provided within the team. You will also be able to access training and other staff support within ELFT during this time.

Background

In the autumn of 2019 ELFT was successful in securing funding from NHS England (NHSE) for community mental health transformation. It is one of 12 national pilot sites. City and Hackney, Newham and Tower Hamlets are all part of the ELFT pilot. The aim of the transformation is to develop a model of support for people with serious mental illness (SMI) that recognises complexity and social determinants over and above diagnosis, and supports them through a blended team of voluntary sector, mental health and primary care staff to connect better into a range of activities in their neighbourhoods. The new teams are organised around City & Hackney Primary care networks (PCNs) / Neighbourhoods, and will provide wraparound support for people with varying levels of need. These teams will develop a rich understanding of population mental health need, and work with individuals, families, and communities to develop capacity for self-management, and provide local treatment and support for individuals when they need it.

The teams include the new community connector role. This will be someone from the voluntary sector, well connected in the neighbourhoods and bringing expertise in wider social support and well-being. We are working with voluntary sector partners to design and test this role.

Responding to Covid 19

Since the Covid 19 emergency began in mid-March much of the transformation programme has had to be adapted. ELFT is keen that where the transformation can support the Covid 19 response it should continue. In particular the role of the community connector could be valuable during the Covid 19 emergency and recovery.

The role obviously needs to be different and we will work closely with the connectors and the voluntary sector to design and test out the role. The description here is intended as a starter for ten to give some idea about the shape the role might take.

During the Covid pandemic, the community connectors will be part of the ELFT community MDT team, making links to specific Neighbourhoods. Also the face to face work in terms of assessments, interventions, group work, partnership working may need to be carried out differently. The role will now include:

· providing support to service users by phone/virtually

· connecting service users to the fast developing range of Covid 19 resources in each neighbourhood and keeping the mental health and primary care teams up to date about these resources and how to refer people to the/access them. Including supporting the new Neighbourhood MDTs as these develop.

· developing a good knowledge of all the online resources in each neighbourhood and connecting service users and staff to these

· we will keep the option for face to face work and group work under review, depending on the government guidance on social distancing. As lockdowns are lifted there may be some possibility to offer this type of support

The following five design principles have guided our model development to date:

1. Service users and citizens will be active, equal partners: leading the design, implementation, governance, and delivery of our new mode

2. We will integrate mental and physical health, wellbeing and social care: our services will feel fully integrated to service users and carers

3. The right support in the right place and the right time: services will be delivered in the PCN footprint, and service users will not be “bounced around” services

4. A focus on what matters to service users: care planning will look beyond health goals to life goals and wider determinants of health; and we will work to connect people to each other and their communities

5. Evidence-based interventions: Service users will be confident that our services provide the latest evidence-based care, treatment and support.

The role

The Community Connectors will support individuals to connect within neighbourhoods, and use local assets to self-organise.

Who you will support

The post-holder will work closely with individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and/or personality disorders (PD), developing an understanding of complexity in order to provide the most appropriate support. Some of the service users you will work with will have been supported by community mental health recovery teams, seen in outpatients and are not care co-ordinated, so could be better supported by their local neighbourhood team. Other service users will be on primary care SMI registers and likely to benefit from additional support, but do not meet the thresholds for traditional secondary care. Other people might not be known to our services currently, and could benefit from the more personalised, local, holistic offer you will be developing.

Your approach

The ethos of this work will be recovery focused, move away from a traditional referral model, blur the boundaries between primary and secondary care, explore needs through complexity (rather than diagnosis), focus on a person’s strengths and assets, and focus on the wider determinants of health and wellbeing. This approach is as important as your experience and expertise. You will develop a strengths based biopsychosocial assessment, and supportive approach, and work with colleagues and local people to develop the MDT approach in its infancy. 

Although not exhaustive, below is a list of the skills and responsibilities that may be required:

Individual Support

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills. It is important that you listen to service users and carers to find out what is important to them, and that you build open, supportive and trusting relationships (working with the challenges of not meeting face-to-face, at least initially, due to the current Covid-19 public health crisis. We will keep the option for face to face work and group work under review, depending on the government guidance on social distancing. As lockdowns are lifted there may be some possibility to offer this type of support.)

· A strong sense of what factors influence health and wellbeing.

· The ability to assist service users in setting goals and making changes that are meaningful to them.

· You will conduct regular innovative and engaging sessions (currently with individuals, over the phone) in order to work towards support plan goals.

· You will ensure ongoing assessment and management of risks within an attitude of 'positive risk taking'.

· You will give people time to tell their stories and focus on ‘what matters to me’, build trust, providing non-judgemental support, respecting diversity and lifestyle choices.

· You will use health coaching and motivational interviewing techniques, identify barriers to people accessing services, and work with service users to overcome these. You will support people to identify the wider issues that impact on their health and wellbeing, such as debt, poor housing, employment circumstances and unemployment, loneliness, isolation and caring responsibilities.

· Where people may be eligible for a personal health budget, help them to explore this option as a way of providing funded, personalised support to be independent, including helping people to gain skills for meaningful employment, where appropriate.

Community Development

· You will act as the ‘glue’, linking people in with experts and local assets, and undertaking support work in partnership with external stakeholders to complement their interventions.

· You will stay up to date with the constantly developing environment, local offer, and national policies, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Significant experience in local statutory and/or voluntary sector services.

· You will have a deep knowledge of City & Hackney (or a specific local area or demographic), what is available locally and how to signpost and support people (network creation, mapping).

· You will develop productive relationships with local partner organisations to improve service outcomes, and involve service users and carers in the design, development and delivery of the service.

· You will need to triage referrals and signpost to specialist support quickly where necessary, and deal with general queries to contribute to the overall smooth running of the neighbourhood team.

· Where appropriate, introduce people to community groups, activities and statutory services, ensuring they are comfortable.  Follow up to ensure they are happy, able to engage, included and receiving good support.

· Where appropriate you will connect people to each other through shared common interests and the need for mutual support.

· You will have the ability and drive to build networks with local community resources such as activities and services that may have an impact on health and wellbeing, and support individuals to access these. To be proactive in encouraging self-referrals, and connecting with all local communities.

· You will work in partnership with existing community navigation roles in City & Hackney.

Project Management

· You will monitor and record outcomes of all those accessing the service through the use of recognised assessment tools and outcome measures. With the wider team, you will gather and collate statistical and other information and data as required, reporting on activity and outcomes and ensuring effective qualitative and quantitative monitoring and evaluation of the services.

· You will help to develop and adapt this role as the societal circumstances we are operating under change (as the Covid-19 public health situation develops and/or social distancing is relaxed).

General

· You will reflect on practice and participate in team meetings, practice development forums and peer supervision. You will identify own training and development needs in conjunction with your Line Manager and participate in training opportunities.

· You will develop an awareness of local and national developments and best practice in this area of work and to attend relevant conferences, meetings and training events as required.

· You will adhere to organisational policies and procedures relating to risk and personal safety. You will refer all safeguarding issues in line with local policy.

· You will manage volunteers and other team members as required.

· You will identify issues relating to systemic challenges and disconnects, and report these to the Programme Manager, developing an eye for service improvement opportunities.

Person Specification

As a community connector, you will become a local expert, gathering and sharing information about local opportunities, activities, and support, bringing people together and supporting them to remain confident and independent in their everyday lives.

We are looking for community connectors with experience supporting with people with their mental health, with significant experience in statutory and/or voluntary sector services, knowledge of City & Hackney (or a specific local area or demographic), and strong interpersonal skills.

Skills and experience:

Person Centred

- Enjoys social interaction and the company of others.

- Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour. Is approachable and open-minded.

- Prefers working as part of a group or team.

- Has a practical and logical mind.

- Well organised and knows how to prioritise tasks. Able to plan own workload.

- Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments.

- Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication.

- Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide person-centred support in a non-judgmental.

- Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential.

- Experience of supporting people, families and care in a related role (including unpaid work).

- Experience of supporting people with their mental health, either in a paid, unpaid or informal capacity.

Community Development

- Commitment to reducing health inequalities and proactively working to reach people from all communities.

- Able to work from an asset-based approach, building on existing community and personal assets.

- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with people, their families, carers, community groups, partner agencies and stakeholders.

- Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals.

- Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity.

- Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude.

- Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviour.

- Demonstrates a desire for continuous professional development.

- Experience of working directly in a community development context, adult health and social care, learning support or public health/health improvement (including unpaid work).

- Experience of partnership/collaborative working and of building relationships across a variety of organisations.

Knowledge:

- Understanding of the wider determinants of health, including social, economic and environmental factors and their impact on communities and how adverse circumstances and structural barriers can affect people's relationships

- An understanding of the experiences of people who live with significant mental distress.

- Knowledge of community development approaches.

- Knowledge of IT systems, including ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports.

- Knowledge of motivational coaching and interview skills.

- Knowledge of voluntary and community services in the local neighbourhood.

Essential:

- Educated to GCSE level (or equivalent by experience).

- NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent.

- Significant experience in statutory or voluntary sector services.

- IT literate.

Desirable:

- Mental Health First Aid or willingness to work towards the qualification.

- Training in motivational coaching and interviewing or equivalent experience.

- University degree and/or professional qualification.

- Experience of delivering peer support groups.