Communications and advocacy manager jobs

Rethink have an exciting opportunity to work for us delivering the new Connect to Work Individual Placement and Support (IPS) programme within County Durham. We are looking for an Employment Specialist to support individuals with health conditions, mental health difficulties, a disability or complex barriers to employment to gain, retain, or return to employment, following the IPS principles. You will also engage with and support local employers to enable work to be sustainable for individuals and by bridging workforce needs with local people. The roles will involve travelling around your allocated area to meet individuals in need of support offering a person centred approach and engaging with local employers who have workforce vacancies. You will work closely with and within healthcare settings and as part of a wider partnership of organisations to deliver the programme across the region.

Connect to Work is part of the National Get Britain Working strategy which is a new government funded programme. Within County Durham the initial programme is based upon the IPS model which looks to support people who would like to gain employment by delivering tailored support to move into the right job quickly and support to maintain employment.

The available role is a part time post (0.5 FTE – 17.5 hours per week) with days and times to be worked open to discussion and agreement with the successful candidate. This post is for a fixed term until 31st March 2028, with the possibility of an additional 2 year extension once funding is confirmed. There may also be the option to increase working hours as the programme progresses and referrals increase. A Driving licence and car are essential to carry out this role.

To Apply please fill out the application questions and upload your up to date CV detailing your knowledge, experience and reason for applying.

ABOUT THE CLINK CHARITY

The Clink Charity, founded in 2009, aims to prevent and reduce reoffending through training, rehabilitation, and support. We deliver hospitality and horticulture training behind the prison walls and in the community by creating an environment where our students are supported to gain the skills, confidence and qualifications they need to rebuild their lives.

Since that time, we have trained approximately 5,000 people in prison and delivered 2,600 City & Guilds qualifications in a variety of hospitality and food courses.
What makes The Clink so unique is our post-release support and mentoring programme that rehabilitates an offender back into society through assistance with health and mental health issues, housing, employment, family connections and friendships.

The charity operates an award-winning fine-dining restaurant open to the public inside HMP Brixton, training kitchens in the prison estate, horticulture projects at HMP Send and HMP Erlestoke, a commercial bakery in Brixton, and a bespoke delivery service, Catered by Clink.

Additionally, Clink Events is our social enterprise catering business with food produced by the women in HMP Downview and also in an additional kitchen at Herne Hill and then served by alumni on front of house at some of the best venues in London including: the Guildhall, the Science Museum, Cutty Sark, Kew Gardens and the Camden Roundhouse. In 2024, across 218 events, The Clink fed 36,000 people.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Support and Employment Worker will provide a high quality and responsive mentoring and advocacy service which creatively addresses the needs and risks of our students and graduates to enable them to avoid further offending and to obtain and maintain employment upon release.

Our students and graduates will come from multiple prison sites across the London and the South East region, so careful diary management, logistical planning and travel are key components of the role.

This is a flexible role, mostly based at HMP Brixton, but will also include travelling between

HMP Downview and HMP Send multiple prisons and our Clink Training Café site in Herne Hill, with some working from home and managing a community caseload of graduates who have been released.

The Support and Employment Worker will develop action plans with each student in prison to support them in obtaining employment upon release and also in developing independent living skills to work towards their long-term goals and aspirations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Support and Employment Worker at The Clink, you are responsible for:

•Mentoring, supporting and being the point of contact for students and graduates as they transition from our hospitality and horticulture training programmes in prison and in the community for up to 12 months.

•Working with and supporting people in prison and students prior to and after release from prison, or from graduation in our community café, to empower them in finding and maintaining accommodation, employment and a drug-free, offence-free lifestyle.

•Building relationships with Clink Chef Trainers, HMPPS Resettlement and Employment Teams, HMPPS Officers and Governing Teams in the prison and all parties invested in the training, support and employment of our learners.

•Working with students and graduates to identify their needs and risks, and to identify short and long-term goals.

•Motivating and engaging students and graduates and to provide practical and emotional support.

•Liaising with employers to secure opportunities for our students and for continuity of employment for graduates upon release.

•Supporting people dealing with drug and alcohol problems and to make referrals to other services as required.

•Undertaking risk assessments for each student, to recognise changes in risk level and take appropriate action.

•Maintaining case records and report on students' progress to external agencies and for our own Clink records on Clink Connect, our CRM system.

•Working in partnership with the team to enhance overall delivery of the service.

•Maintaining a professional approach that enhances the reputation of the charity.

DESIRABLE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience of prisons and/or the criminal justice system. This can be lived experience.
• Experience of working with a variety of client groups both in custody and in the community, including men, women and 16-25-year-olds.
• Experience of working with young people in gangs and/or at risk of exploitation and county lines.
• Experience of working with neurodivergent people and those with disabilities and additional needs.
• Experience and skill in using a trauma informed approach with vulnerable people who present a risk of harm, including knowledge of mental health issues, drug and alcohol use and offending behaviour.
• Experience in setting up a strong employer network and using this to support our graduates into employment post-release.
• Experience referring to other services and using a multi-agency approach.
• A level of numeracy sufficient to carry out tasks such as budgeting with clients, calculating benefit entitlements and understanding rent arrears.
• An understanding of safeguarding issues and PREVENT Duty and the ability to assess risk in consultation with line manager.
• Some knowledge of the benefits system and ability to deal with housing agencies and landlords
• Driver with clean licence.
• IT literate - will need to maintain records about our students on our in-house CRM system and complete assessments for HMPPS.
• Able to adopt a supportive, confident and motivating approach to the client group.
• Willing to engage in training and development of your own knowledge and skills.
• Able to pass a prison security clearance.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Confident and resilient personality, with the strength of character to work in complex prison settings and with highly vulnerable people.
• Perseverence and tenacity — a desire to see our students be successful and to advocate strongly on their behalf which often requires a relentless optimism.
• Highly organised and efficient person - able to juggle multiple responsibilities, manage your own time and schedule, and be a consistent source of support for our beneficiaries.
• A strong networker - your key responsibility will be to manage stakeholders in the prison, in probation, in other third sector support groups, and with employers to advocate for our students to have the chance of quality employment outcomes.
• An assertive communicator - you will need to be patient, kind and compassionate and to communicate with our students with sensitivity and clear expectations.

REPORTING LINES MANAGEMENT EXPECTATIONS

You will report directly to the Support Lead for London and the SE, the Executive Leadership Team, but also work closely with the Operations team in the prisons and related Clink project leads in the community.

GENERAL CLINK CHARITY INFORMATION

All staff are expected to:

• Comply with all current legislation
• Comply with all prison operational policies
• Comply with The Clink Staff Handbook
•  Undertake such other duties within the scope of the post as may be requested by your Manager

Special Requirements:

• Must be able to pass prison security vetting process to be able to draw keys.
• Must have a valid driving licence .

Benefits:

• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Free meals on duty when based in a restaurant or visiting for business

HOW TO APPLY

If you would like to apply for this post, please send your CV and a supporting statement (maximum 2 sides of A4) to Lizann Barnwell.

In your supporting statement you should ensure that you try to address the desirable criteria set out in the person specification for the role. Make sure you give evidence which shows how you meet the criteria, not just telling us that you did it.

Interviews will be arranged on a rolling basis for this role, so early applications are encouraged. The deadline for applications is Friday 6 Feb at 0900.

We do not send individual acknowledgment of applications due to the high volume we receive, and we will only contact candidates who are shortlisted for an interview. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, your application has not been successful on this occasion.

If you would like an informal chat about this role, we can offer a call with a member of The Clink Team. Even if you feel you do not meet some of the criteria listed above, we would still welcome applications from passionate candidates who are keen to make a difference.

Appointment process

Applicants who have demonstrated that they meet the desirable criteria set out in the person specification will be contacted and interviews arranged on a rolling basis.

Interview

If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to a selection process. A panel of two or more, including the recruiting manager conducts all interviews. If there are any special arrangements associated with the selection process e.g. tests or presentations, you will be informed accordingly.

Interview outcome

If you are invited to attend an interview, you will be informed either verbally or in writing of the outcome. The successful candidate will have the decision confirmed in writing as an offer of employment. Unsuccessful candidates will be offered the opportunity for feedback.

References

If you are successful in your application, you are asked to provide us with the details of two referees. We only contact referees with your permission after an offer of employment has been made.

All offers of employment are conditional upon the receipt of references that are satisfactory to The Clink Charity, verification of right to work in the UK and where applicable, verification of qualifications and Disclosure and Barring Service (where required).

Personal information

The personal information that you have supplied will only be used for recruitment and selection purposes. You should refer to the Privacy Notice on our website, which sets out how The Clink Charity will deal with the personal and sensitive data you have provided in your application form and supporting information.

EDI

We welcome all applicants and are keen to enhance our team to reflect the diversity of the UK and the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disabled people, those from LGBTQIA+ and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and those experiencing other forms of marginalisation, as they are underrepresented at this level. In addition, as this role works directly with people in prison and those at risk of offending, those with lived experience are encouraged to apply.

Accessible recruitment

The Clink Charity is committed to making our recruitment process and workplace accessible to all. If you are an applicant with a disability and/or have any specific needs or adjustments that you would like us to consider, at application, interview, or appointment stage, please make us aware in your application.

Are you passionate about bringing people together to create change? As Community Fundraiser at New Citizens’ Gateway, you will inspire local communities, faith groups and supporters to stand alongside refugees and people seeking asylum. Your work will directly fund vital services that offer safety, dignity and hope to people rebuilding their lives in the UK. From energising community-led events to growing individual giving, you will turn compassion into action and ensure our work can reach even more people in need. 

Benefits included: 

- Generous 26 days annual leave to support a healthy work–life balance (excluding Bank Holidays)

- 6% employer pension contribution to help you plan for the future

- A friendly, inclusive and supportive team culture

- Meaningful work that makes a genuine difference to refugees and asylum seekers

- Regular supervision and ongoing support in a collaborative environment

- Flexible working approach, including occasional community and event-based work

This role is perfect for someone who believes in the power of community, thrives on connection, and wants their work to make a visible, lasting impact. Interview Date: 12/02/2026

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Community Engagement Practitioner to play a pivotal role in our Enfield VCS service.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

You will work as part of a multidisciplinary NHS team alongside clinicians, social workers, and community partners to support adults with moderate to severe mental illness. Holding a caseload of service users, you will act as their key contact, contributing to care planning, monitoring progress, and supporting safe discharge using the RiO clinical records system. Together with service users, you will develop person-centred recovery plans focused on social goals and community integration, building strong therapeutic relationships through trauma-informed and strength-based approaches. You will help individuals access local resources, attend appointments, and engage in wellbeing activities, peer support, and psychoeducational groups. Collaboration is central to the role, as you will liaise with statutory and voluntary organisations, attend clinical meetings and community events, and advocate for recovery-focused, jargon-free communication. You will ensure accurate documentation, uphold safeguarding and health & safety standards, and actively participate in supervision, training, and professional development.

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

Here's what the team will be looking for

We are looking for someone with NVQ Level 4 in Care (or equivalent) or at least two years' experience in a mental health setting. You will bring a strong understanding of mental health issues, recovery, and co-production principles, alongside experience of working collaboratively with professionals, services, and communities. Knowledge of care planning, risk assessment, recovery tools, and the Mental Health Act is essential, as are excellent communication, relationship-building, and group facilitation skills. You should be confident using IT systems, resilient and adaptable, able to work independently or as part of a team, and committed to person-centred, trauma-informed practice.

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Community Engagement Practitioner to play a pivotal role in our Haringey Volunteer Community Service in Haringey.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

This role involves working within a multidisciplinary NHS team to support adults with moderate to severe mental illness by holding a caseload of service users and serving as their key contact throughout care planning, progress monitoring, and discharge, using the RiO system. The post-holder collaborates with individuals to develop person-centred recovery plans focused on social goals and community integration, building therapeutic relationships through trauma-informed, strength-based approaches. They support access to local resources, appointments, wellbeing activities, and peer or psychoeducational groups, while promoting recovery-focused, jargon-free communication and advocating for co-production and integrated care. Liaising with statutory and voluntary organisations ensures smooth service navigation and warm handovers, while active participation in clinical meetings and community events helps represent both Hestia and the Community Mental Health Team. The role also requires accurate documentation of all support activity, adherence to safeguarding and health and safety procedures, and engagement in supervision, training, and continuous professional development.

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

The ideal candidate will hold an NVQ Level 4 in Care or possess at least two years' experience working in a mental health setting, with a strong understanding of mental health issues, recovery principles, and co-production. They will have a solid grasp of care planning, risk assessment, recovery tools, and relevant legislation such as the Mental Health Act. The role requires excellent communication and relationship-building skills, alongside the ability to facilitate groups effectively. Candidates must be confident using IT systems, including electronic case management tools, and be able to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. A commitment to person-centred, trauma-informed practice is essential, as is resilience, adaptability, and the ability to maintain professional boundaries. Desirable attributes include lived experience of mental illness or secondary care services, peer support training, familiarity with local resources, and skills in training, mentoring, report writing, presentations, or multilingual communication.

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

Description

Salary: £85k-£90K DOE

Hours: 37.5 per week

Reports to: Director of Policy and Oversight

Location: Harlow, Essex. Regular travel required to London and Scotland. Harlow is Easily commutable from London Liverpool Street or Tottenham Hale Station. We offer a free minibus service to/from Harlow Town Train Station as well as free parking and EV charging on site.

Extra Information: Open to conversation on hybrid, flexible and compressed working arrangements. Regular travel to London and Scotland is required including Government meetings.

About the role:

Lead the Scheme Oversight function to ensure the Motability Scheme consistently delivers choice, value for money and excellent customer service for disabled people. The role includes setting the Oversight strategy, developing the Scheme’s performance management framework, reporting on performance to internal/external parties and assisting/managing key stakeholder relationships across Motability Foundation, Motability Operations and Government departments. 

What you will be doing:

Policy and Planning: 

• Monitor UK Government policy and proposals with material impact on the Scheme; coordinate Motability’s position and implications for Oversight. 

• Lead annual Oversight strategy refresh and contribute to Motability’s Strategic Plan. 

• Chair (or deputise for Director at) Scheme Oversight governance forums and ensure well‑prepared agendas, papers and decisions flow to Governors and SOC. 

• Undertake ad hoc projects to develop Motability or Scheme services as required. 

Governance & Performance Monitoring: 

• Manage the contractual relationship between Motability Foundation and its service providers in a collaborative manner. 

• Own the Oversight performance framework (KPIs, targets, thresholds) and coordinate performance reporting activities to provide monthly updates to key stakeholders. 

• Lead operational reviews of Motability Operations’ delivery, commissioning deep dives where issues or opportunities are identified. 

• Sponsor customer satisfaction and experience measurement across Scheme services, ensuring findings inform improvements. 

Leadership: 

• Act as a liaison between Motability Foundation and Motability Operations, ensuring collaborative & effective oversight. 

• Own key relationships within the Motability Operations executive leadership, Motability Foundation 

• Board and key Government officials. 

• Build a high‑performing oversight team culture of openness, integrity, and collaborative challenge; set and monitor KPIs. 

Your experience:

Must haves:

• A successful track record at senior executive level. 

• Experienced in strategic planning and performance management within a customer focussed organisation. 

• Experience of working with Government departments or regulators. 

• Experience in negotiating and managing commercial contracts. 

• High level of financial and analytical skills. 

• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative performance standards. 

• Experienced in preparation of complex reports. 

• Awareness of current government including European, economic and business issues. 

• Strong communication skills, written, verbal, presentation. 

• Inspirational individual, passionate about customer service. 

• Strong planning skills. Commercially astute. Thoughtful. 

• High level influencing skills, with excellent team skills and the ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders. 

• Understands the importance of personal mobility for disabled people. 

Nice to haves: 

• Experience within automotive or consumer finance businesses. ·

• Previous experience with consulting or advisory role. 

• Understanding of consumer credit and the economics of car financing (leasing and hire purchase). 

If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience, we'd still encourage you to apply.

Benefits

Who are we?

We are building a future where all disabled people have the transport options to make the journeys they choose.

We fund, support, research and innovate so that all disabled people can make the journeys they choose. We oversee the Motability Scheme and provide grants to help people use it, providing access to transport to hundreds of thousands of people a year. We award grants to charities and organisations who provide different types of transport, or work towards making transport accessible. We also carry out ongoing research, in partnership with disabled people and key stakeholders in the industry, to inspire innovations that continue to champion accessible transport for all.

Why choose us?

We want working for the Motability Foundation to be the best career move you’ve ever made. When you join the Motability Foundation you will join a group of people who are supportive, innovative and motivated to improve the lives of our beneficiaries.

We value everyone’s unique qualities and celebrate having a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture where everyone feels safe to be their authentic selves. This is embedded into our values, Collaborative, Respectful and Evolving.

We bring our people together through our People Forum, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Forum, Social Squad and our Wellbeing Champions and our employee Spotlight Awards help us recognise the excellence and dedication of our staff.

We are proud to be recognised as Disability Confident Leader, have attained Platinum Level Award for Investors in People and are members of the Business Disability Forum.

A career with Motability Foundation can offer you so much more than earning potential, we pride ourselves in offering some fantastic benefits. Some of these include:

• 26 days annual leave, plus the option to buy/ sell up to five days.
• One wellbeing day for extra flexibility.
• Pension scheme - Up to 20%, including a 10% non-contributory contribution and matched contributions up to 5%.
• Life Assurance of four times your salary.
• Private healthcare through BUPA for you and your family, along with a Medicash Health Plan.
• Employee assistance programme: GP appointments, eye tests, flu vaccinations, sick pay and free gym and yoga sessions.
• Enhanced Parental Leave, including Adoption Pay.
• Free parking, EV charge points and a minibus service to/from the town centre and train station.
• Fresh fruit, breakfast snacks, and a Dress for Your Day dress code.
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow.

Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, and we aim to be an employer of choice for candidates with disabilities.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we have committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential. We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to perform their best when interviewing and when working with us, so if you require any reasonable adjustments that would make you more comfortable, please let us know so that we can do our best to support you.

To help us create an inclusive workplace we are committed to offering to interview every disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job. Some of our roles attract a high volume of applications and in some circumstances, we may need to limit the number of interviews offered to disabled and non-disabled candidates. 

We are seeking a collaborative and purpose-driven leader with a strong commitment to the welfare of livestock animals to lead and coordinate our technical operations and service delivery.

The ideal candidate will be highly organised, people-focused, able to inspire, manage and develop teams while delivering high-quality training, education, and advice services. 

The Technical Lead will manage the Humane Slaughter Association’s (HSA) operational and practical work to promote humane slaughter and transport of livestock (including farmed and wild-caught aquatic species) worldwide. They will lead a small team who undertake the operational work in the field, promoting humane methods for the transport and slaughter of animals killed for food and other products.

The successful candidate will join at an exciting period of growth and reorganisation for the HSA as we introduce online learning, grow and broaden our training and advice services and become an increasingly strong voice for practical improvements to the welfare of animals at slaughter. This is an ideal role for someone who is passionate about making real-world improvements to animal welfare using their technical knowledge and organisational skills.

About the HSA 

The Humane Slaughter Association is a unique charity which promotes the welfare of farmed animals ‘Beyond the Farm Gate’; at markets, during transport, at slaughter, and when animals must be killed in emergencies.

Our vision: A world where all farmed animals are transported and killed humanely.

Our mission: To advance and promote the use of humane methods for the slaughter, transport and killing of farmed animals through research and education. 

We do this by offering practical advice, training, and education to all those involved in transport, slaughter, or emergency killing of livestock animals, by funding scientific research to develop more humane approaches and advocating for evidenced-based change. Although we are based in the UK, the charity works worldwide to maximise animal welfare.

Job Description and Person Specification

Before applying, please read the HSA Technical Lead Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the role, criteria, application process.

The HSA requests no contact from agencies or media sales. 

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

We are working in partnership with a charity which offers free and confidential information, advice, counselling, support and advocacy for children and young people under 26 in Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth whose mission is to empower young people to reach their full potential.

The charity is now seeking to appoint a Director of Finance who will hold overall accountability for the financial leadership of the charity, with responsibility for both the strategic and operational management of the charity’s finances, including oversight of income growth through Fundraising and Development. The Director of Finance role leads on financial strategy, planning, and performance, ensuring robust financial management, high-quality insight, and long-term financial sustainability. With oversight of the finance team, the Director of Finance plays a central role in ensuring the charity is financially resilient, efficient, and able to grow and sustain its income in support of its mission.

The successful applicant will be a qualified Accountant (CIMA / CIPFA / ACCA / ACA or equivalent), consideration may be given to a part-qualified candidate with substantial relevant experience and possessing a desire to consider continuing towards full-qualification.

You will demonstrate:

• Experience and understanding of financial processes including budget management, forecasting, day-to-day income and expenditure processes, monthly reporting, and year end audit processes.
• Up-to-date knowledge of Charity regulations and relevant legislation and legal requirements
• Successful track record in working with a Trustee Board or other executive boards
• Ability to prioritise and organise own work and that of others to meet deadlines
• Experience of costing services/projects and producing comprehensive budgets

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Finance will make an active contribution to the organisation’s strategic direction, decision-making, and leadership, working collaboratively with colleagues to balance risk, opportunity, and impact.  The Director of Finance will have up-to-date knowledge of charity SORP regulations and requirements, a high level of IT competency, including the use of Microsoft Office, and excellent communication skills with a commitment to personal growth and development.  You will be a role model for the values of the Charity and ensure the needs of children and young people are at the heart of everything they do.

This role is subject to a DBS check, which will be carried out by the employer.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. 

If you feel you have relevant skills and experience, please submit your CV and supporting statement to Sandra Smith, via the Charisma Charity Recruitment website.

• Location: Southampton, hybrid working available 
• Closing date for applications: 15 February 2026

Please note that applications will be reviewed as they are received, we therefore encourage early applications as we may progress candidates to interview before the application deadline. 

• Client Interviews: w/c 2 March 2026

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Community Engagement Officer to play a pivotal role in our Haringey HVCS Service.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

This role involves working within a multidisciplinary NHS team to support adults with moderate to severe mental illness by holding a caseload of service users and serving as their key contact throughout care planning, progress monitoring, and discharge, using the RiO system. The post-holder collaborates with individuals to develop person-centred recovery plans focused on social goals and community integration, building therapeutic relationships through trauma-informed, strength-based approaches. They support access to local resources, appointments, wellbeing activities, and peer or psychoeducational groups, while promoting recovery-focused, jargon-free communication and advocating for co-production and integrated care. Liaising with statutory and voluntary organisations ensures smooth service navigation and warm handovers, while active participation in clinical meetings and community events helps represent both Hestia and the Community Mental Health Team. The role also requires accurate documentation of all support activity, adherence to safeguarding and health and safety procedures, and engagement in supervision, training, and continuous professional development.

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

The ideal candidate will hold an NVQ Level 4 in Care or possess at least two years' experience working in a mental health setting, with a strong understanding of mental health issues, recovery principles, and co-production. They will have a solid grasp of care planning, risk assessment, recovery tools, and relevant legislation such as the Mental Health Act. The role requires excellent communication and relationship-building skills, alongside the ability to facilitate groups effectively. Candidates must be confident using IT systems, including electronic case management tools, and be able to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. A commitment to person-centred, trauma-informed practice is essential, as is resilience, adaptability, and the ability to maintain professional boundaries. Desirable attributes include lived experience of mental illness or secondary care services, peer support training, familiarity with local resources, and skills in training, mentoring, report writing, presentations, or multilingual communication.

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

Reporting to: Service Manager

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: Baca office, Cambridge, England. The role may require regular travel to locations where Baca’s services are delivered.

Salary: £31,200 per annum for full time hours. Equivalent to £18,720 per annum for 22.5 hours. The role also comes with an allowance of £2,301 (pro rata) for Cambridge cost of living.

Working hours: 22.5 hours a week.

About Baca: Baca is dedicated to supporting young refugees aged 16 to 18. Our mission is to empower these young individuals to become positive, independent contributors to society. We are looking for a passionate and dedicated Creative Arts Therapist to join our team and lead the delivery of our arts therapy program.

Overall Purpose: To use creative therapy methods to help young people express their emotions, process their emotional wellbeing, and build inner resilience for a brighter future.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead therapeutic interventions using creative modalities (art, dance, drama, or music) to enhance young people's resilience and emotional wellbeing.
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team and external partners to deliver comprehensive support.
• Support young people in achieving outcomes such as increased personal safety, improved physical and emotional wellbeing, and greater engagement in education, employment, and social activities.
• Assess emotional health needs and recommend improvements, while sensitively challenging young people to develop positive routines and habits.
• Deliver therapeutic sessions (both 1-to-1 and group) in a safe and secure environment.
• Contribute to team discussions and refer young people to other mental health professionals as needed.
• Enable young people to express themselves creatively and culturally, fostering confidence and resilience.
• Ensure all young people are safeguarded from harm and supported to self-protect.
• Maintain session notes, therapy spaces, and materials, and handle administrative tasks.
• Participate in meetings, training, and professional development opportunities.
• Embrace and practice Baca's Vision, Mission, and Values in daily activities.

Personal Specification:

• A qualified art therapist registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) (or equivalent for your modality).
• Passionate about Baca's mission and values, and able to lead by example.
• Supportive, approachable, responsible, reliable, and personable.
• Organised, creative, practical, and able to manage a varied workload.
• Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills
• Ability to develop key external relationships and work well within a family-like organisational culture.
• Willingness to work flexible hours and travel across the UK as required.
• Enhanced DBS check required.
• Ability to drive/travel to all locations where Baca’s service is delivered .

Why Join Us?

• Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable young people.
• Be part of a supportive and dynamic team.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.

How to Apply: If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of young asylum seekers and meet the above criteria, we would love to hear from you. If suitably strong candidates are shortlisted before the deadline, in-person interviews will take place immediately after shortlisting.

Join us at Baca and help us support young people to rebuild their lives and achieve their dreams!

Please note: We do not offer sponsorship for this role.

Working within the Potteries Moneywise Team

Casework – The post holder will conduct a full exploration of the client’s financial and holistic circumstances to provide robust advice specific to the client’s needs.

The advisor will be required to act for the client where necessary and communicate with third parties such as water providers, energy providers or the Local Authority to progress the client’s case.

 Advice will be delivered through a variety of channels including face-to-face (drop-in and appointments), telephone or digital channels and must conform to the Citizens Advice Quality of Advice standards and funder requirements.

The prospective advisor will be able to balance good quality alongside being able to achieve SLAs and KPIs in accordance with our contractual agreements.

Location: The Upper Room, St Saviour’s Church, Shepherd’s Bush, London W12
Hours: Part-time, 21 hours per week (3 days)
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £30,000 per annum (full-time equivalent), £18,000 actual for 3 days per week
Reports to: UR4Driving Service Manager

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About the Role

UR4Driving supports individuals who have experienced the criminal justice system, or are at risk of entering it, to gain their driving licence, rebuild confidence, and move towards independence. The driving licence is a powerful tool, opening access to employment, structure and self-worth.

As our Employment & Training Co-ordinator, you will be embedded within the UR4Driving team, helping participants make the most of their progress by supporting them into meaningful volunteering, training, or employment. Many of our participants face significant barriers including chaotic lifestyles, trauma histories, long-term unemployment, poor digital literacy, and limited formal education. This role is about building trust,offering practical support, and creating pathways that are realistic, motivating and sustainable.

You will offer a blend of structured 1:1 guidance and group workshops, developing individual action plans, and linking participants to volunteering and job opportunities. You’ll also work closely with other staff and external agencies to ensure a holistic approach to support.

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Key Responsibilities

1. Client Support & Employability Delivery

• Deliver 1:1 support to all UR4Driving participants, including two mandatory employment sessions per client
• Build trusted relationships with clients who may have complex needs or low confidence
• Provide practical guidance on CVs, job applications, interview skills, and disclosure statements
• Support job searching, training enrolment and digital access where needed
• Deliver regular group employability workshops (monthly or fortnightly)
• Ensure every client completes and logs 80 hours of volunteering, with support to secure placement.

2. Assessment & Action Planning

• Identify individual strengths, goals, and barriers (e.g. mental health, housing, welfare)
• Develop and monitor personalised action plans for employment, volunteering, or education
• Make appropriate referrals to wraparound support services (e.g. benefits, housing, clinical support)

3. Employer and Partner Engagement

• Develop relationships with local employers, volunteering bodies and training providers
• Promote the strengths and potential of UR4Driving participants to external partners
• Support a small number of participants into direct job, training or volunteering placements

4. Monitoring and Outcomes

• Use The Upper Room’s CRM system (e.g. Inform) to record sessions, milestones and outcomes
• Track attendance, engagement and progress across all participants
• Contribute to reports, case studies and service evaluation as required

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Person Specification

Essential

• Empathy, patience and the ability to build rapport with individuals with complex lives
• Experience supporting clients into employment, education or volunteering
• Knowledge of barriers faced by ex-offenders and vulnerable adults
• Excellent communication and motivational skills
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a caseload
• Must be able to independently design and adapt workshop content, resources and tools to suit the needs of the client group
• Confident with CV development, disclosure support, job search and basic digital tools
• Commitment to safeguarding, equity, and trauma-informed practice

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Desirable

• Experience facilitating group workshops or training
• Knowledge of local employment and training opportunities in West London
• Understanding of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and related guidance

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Why Join Us

The Upper Room is a values-led organisation committed to empowering those experiencing poverty, exclusion or injustice. You’ll be part of a supportive and motivated team, with opportunities for development and real impact.

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How to Apply

Please send your CV along with a covering letter (max 500 words) outlining why you’re interested in the role and what you’d bring to it. If you’d like to arrange an informal chat before applying, we’d be happy to speak with you.

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Recruitment Process

• Stage 1: Panel interview focused on your experience, motivation and approach.
• Stage 2 (if shortlisted): A short presentation followed by further discussion. Full briefing provided in advance.

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Closing Date

Tuesday, 3rd February 2026

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We are recruiting for three fixed-term User Research Officer roles for our Digital Team. Two 23-month contracts and one 12-month contract.

This is an exciting opportunity to join The National Lottery Community Fund, and develop your skills as a User Research Officer within a multi-disciplinary team.

You’ll conduct user research to help us understand the needs of both the people who apply for our funding, and our colleagues who manage that funding. Your insights will inform the design of new systems and improvement of existing ones, ensuring that we make changes based on real user needs.

Working within our Digital Team, you’ll also have opportunities to collaborate with and learn from a thriving group of designers and researchers who love sharing knowledge and experience. We’ll offer you support to develop your research and design skills, and opportunities to take part in training and communities of practice.

You’ll need some practical experience of qualitative research methods, and of designing and running research. This could be from working in user research or user experience design. But we’d also welcome applications from people with similar experience from professional work, academic work, or study in fields like:

• human-computer interaction
• user-centred design
• psychology
• ethnography
• social research

The responsibilities of the job include:

• Designing and running user research to help us improve our existing digital services and design new ones.
• Recruiting participants for research.
• Analysing qualitative research data.
• Presenting findings to Digital team colleagues, and stakeholders from the wider organisation.
• Collaborating in a multidisciplinary team, and supporting colleagues’ design work by helping them understand what users need.
• Contributing to our user research and design community – taking part in team meetings and providing feedback on prototypes and other design work working in a collaborative and inclusive way.

Interview Details:

Interview Date: Virtual interview – 23rd or 24th February

Location: Hybrid working, anywhere in the UK. Choice of home or office working (offices in Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, or Newtown). Some in person meetings, including quarterly away days across UK locations.

We’ll talk to you about where you are based and your working pattern if you get the job.

We will be hosting a briefing session on: Tuesday 27th January 2026,  from 11am to 11:45am. To register or ask any questions please email us.

How to apply

Upload your CV in Word format and write a supporting statement of up to 1000 words. We'll use the following criteria to score your application – so you should show how you meet them in your supporting statement.

Essential Criteria:

• Passionate and knowledgeable about user-centred design, and digital ways of working.
• Experience of designing and running user research or other qualitative research studies, and a good understanding of when and how to use different research methods.
• Experience of analysing qualitative research, and turning it into clear insights that others can understand and use.
• Confident in explaining research findings to others, verbally or in writing.
• Good at collaborating, involving colleagues in research activities and contributing to shared planning.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of standing up for the needs and perspectives of users.
• A good understanding of inclusion and accessibility for digital services.
• Knowledge of agile working and the roles in a multidisciplinary digital team.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion  

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.  

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition.) 

The successful candidate will work within an innovative tenant-led partnership called Ageing Well in Place in Hulme (AWiPiH) which includes tenants and community groups; local and national charities; GPs; housing providers; and support from a local university. 

You will enable older and vulnerable people experiencing multiple disadvantage in high rise accommodation to 'age well in place' through one-to-one casework within a managed caseload and with supervisory support from a GP Fellow. You will work in collaboration with tenant committees; an Ageing Well Development Worker; the GP Fellow; and housing provider neighbourhood teams across two high-rise blocks. AWiPiH takes a preventative and proactive approach to wellbeing including health promotion, improved access to social care, housing adaptations, signposting on welfare rights, income maximisation and social participation. This role requires a person-centred and solution-focused approach to supporting people experiencing multiple and complex issues.

You will have a hybrid working arrangement including some working from home; some working based at a local GP practice; and on-site working across two neighbouring accommodation blocks in Hulme, central Manchester.

About You:

• You have a passion for enabling older/vulnerable people to live with dignity and independence in their own home.
• You are good at building trusting relationships with people while also maintaining boundaries and being mindful of your own levels of resilience.
• You are confident carrying out solution-oriented casework with people experiencing multiple-disadvantage amidst the current crisis in health and social care services.
• You are experienced in person-centred support planning and risk assessment.
• You are excited by the opportunity to work in collaboration with tenants, community groups, and charities, as well as with statutory service providers.

Please view our application pack and visit our website for more information.