Are you ready to take on a key development role in a charity that is making a real difference? Southampton City Mission (SCM) is offering an exciting opportunity for a knowledgeable and proactive Communications Officer. Working alongside our senior staff team to deliver a dynamic external communications strategy, this is a new role with the opportunity to shape how the charity relates to partners, supporters and the general public across the city.
You will be responsible for delivering an effective communications plan that increases awareness and engages key audiences in the city, to strongly support SCM’s current projects. Developing compelling story telling pieces and creating content for our website and social media to showcase the organisation’s impact; we are looking for an individual who will drive forward change and quickly engage with key stakeholders and churches. Working alongside the CEO, Head of Operations and Project Managers, and playing a pivotal role in helping to equip churches to support and love those in need across our city, we are offering the opportunity for flexible, hybrid working for this role.
If you are a natural, experienced communicator and passionate about working for a faith-based charity that is growing and evolving, this is the perfect role for you. Your input will help drive change in both the charity and the city we serve.
Apply now. An application pack, including full job description and person specification, can be downloaded from our website.
The closing date for applications is 01 April 2026
SCM is committed to keeping children and adults at risk safe and to equal opportunities.
A DBS check will be required for this role and applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the right to work in the UK.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
About the role
The Side-by-Side project supports children in care and care leavers to have the same opportunities as those who have not experienced care.
For many young people, navigating the care system and especially the transition to leaving care can be complex, isolating, and overwhelming. Too often, care-experienced young people are expected to face adulthood before they are ready, without the safety nets of family, friends, and community networks that many of us take for granted.
The project provides a mentoring and befriending service, offering consistent, trusted relationships that help young people feel less alone, build confidence and life skills, and navigate key life changes as they move towards independence.
Side-by-Side supports young people with a range of needs, including those who may be at risk of exploitation, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, and young people living with identified mental health challenges. The project is guided by strong safeguarding practice, built on trust, and delivered through trauma-informed, person-centred approaches.
As a Community Engagement Worker, you will work directly with young people through engagement sessions, group activities and co-designed initiatives. You will also work alongside volunteers, supporting them to safely and effectively engage with young people. This role does not involve acting as a young person’s key worker or holding a caseload. Instead your focus is on enabling connections, strengthening community networks and creating opportunities for young people to thrive across Hertfordshire, Luton and Bedfordshire.
About you
We are looking for a compassionate and motivated individual, to work 21 hours per week that has strong local knowledge and a commitment to community-based support. You will be confident working directly with care-experienced young people, including those who may be at risk of exploitation, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, and young people living with identified mental health challenges.
You will live in or have strong connections to Hertfordshire, Luton, or Bedfordshire, and be confident working across these communities.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Build community links: develop relationships with local venues, services, and partners to support young people and Side-by-Side activities.
- Support volunteers: recruit, train, and guide volunteers, helping them signpost young people to relevant services.
- Engage young people: deliver activities, gather feedback, and support co-designed initiatives to ensure young people shape the services they receive.
- Live our values: all work is guided by trust, reducing loneliness, providing practical and emotional support, and delivering person-centred approaches.
How to apply
In your application, you will need to evidence, using specific examples, how your skills and experience meet the criteria laid out in the person specification, within the job description attached.
For further information and to apply, please visit our website.
Employee benefits
We offer the following employee benefits:
- 26 days, increasing to 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time)
- Occupational sick pay (subject to completion of qualifying period)
- Enhanced pay for family friendly leave
- Free parking at some of our offices
- Employee assistance programme
- Group stakeholder pension scheme
- Access to BHSF health cash plan
- Cycle to work scheme
- Support and supervision from your line manager
- Learning and Development opportunities
Safeguarding and Compliance
NYAS operates robust safe procedures to ensure the protection of the children, young people and adults at risk we work with. To comply with NYAS’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, references and a Digital Risk Assessment.
In accordance with UK immigration law, NYAS is required to ensure that all prospective candidates have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. Therefore, proof of eligibility to work in the UK will be required as part of the recruitment process.
We reserve the right to close the advert early should the right candidate be found before the closing date.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
At NYAS, we listen to what children, young people and vulnerable adults want. We empower them to have their voices heard.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.