Centre Support Assistant

Centre Support Assistant

Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Part-time, 22.5 hours per week, some evening and weekend work may be required

We are committed to paying the Real Living Wage.

About Us

Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer. Together, we can change this.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a charity dedicated to funding research so that you and those you love live longer healthier lives, free of cancer.

Thanks to supporters, the charity funds vital cancer research and pioneers innovative new services for people with cancer. These life-giving medical breakthroughs are helping more people survive cancer – in Yorkshire, and beyond.

As an inclusive employer, our aim is to ensure our workforce reflects the rich diversity of our region. We believe a diverse workforce is vital to us taking action to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer more effectively in Yorkshire. We offer equal opportunities regardless of race, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnerships.

The Benefits

We offer all employees a wide range of benefits including an enhanced contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service), flexible working arrangements, private medical insurance, enhanced maternity leave, career progression, learning and development, wellbeing initiatives, offices within walking distance of Hornbeam Park train station, free onsite parking and a whole lot more.

We’ve got a strong set of values that inform everything we do and we’re looking for people who are aligned with these. As our Donations Sorting Assistant, you will put people in Yorkshire at the heart of everything you do, unite with colleagues and other organisations in this cause, and dare to think big and bold to make positive solutions happen.

The Role

We are currently looking for two Centre Support Assistants to join our Retail, Services and Operations team.

The role will be interesting and varied and will provide support across departments to ensure the centre is able to operate efficiently and effectively 7 days a week. We recognise that this a varied role and all appropriate training will be provided, to ensure you possess the knowledge to effectively operate as part of all our customer facing teams, as well as within our donation centre.

Reporting to the Centre Manager, as Centre Support Assistant, your primary role will be to provide a professional and warm welcome to the Yorkshire Cancer Research Hornbeam Centre. You will undertake administrative tasks to support the delivery of the Active Together Harrogate service and the smooth running of the centre. You will also provide cover across our Donation Centre, Delivery Team, Café and Hornbeam Shop as required.

Specifically, you will:

• Help create a welcoming, professional atmosphere and deliver high standards of customer service for all donors, customers and supporters.
• Establish good working relationships with all visitors to the centre.
• Show responsibility for personal health and safety and security, and that of others in the conduct of the role.
• Take ownership of all workplace areas ensuring a high standard of presentation, cleanliness and functionality throughout.
• Respond to and report safeguarding concerns in line with Yorkshire Cancer Research safeguarding policy and procedures.
• Communicate in person, by phone or in written communication to provide information about the Active Together service and wider charity.
• Support Active Together service users to navigate the service and sign-post to approved educational, health and wellbeing resources as necessary, ensuring information is up to date.
• Process referrals and questionnaires, handle eligibility queries and bookings, working closely with the Service Manager and delivery team to ensure consultations and classes are appropriately booked.
• Follow all policies and procedures to contribute to the smooth running of the Donation Centre.
• Ensure donations are sorted and stored appropriately and in-line with Yorkshire Cancer Research procedures.
• Accompany a member of the team to carry out deliveries and collections of furniture and goods across Yorkshire, to and from shops and customers, including disposal of waste materials.
• Assist in all aspects of running our café at Hornbeam Park, including opening and closing procedures, food production, preparation of hot drinks, till operation and cleaning tasks.
• Assist in all aspects of running our shop at Hornbeam Park, including merchandising, till operation and cleaning/tidying tasks.

About You

To be considered for this role, you will need:

• To ideally be educated to GCSE standard including Maths and English.
• To have previous experience in a customer facing role and a high level of commitment to customer care is essential.
• To have proven administration experience and experience of maintaining accurate records is essential.
• To have high computer literacy with comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, especially Word, Excel and Outlook. 
• To be up to date with safeguarding and confident in raising any concerns. 
• To have a good knowledge of GDPR requirements and how to apply them is essential.
• To enjoy delivering excellent customer service and customer/supporter interaction.
• To be happy to work independently and ask for support where this is needed, but also like to both work with and support colleagues as part of a team working towards a common goal. 
• To have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with an ability to use active listening skills, and write professionally and appropriately for a range of diverse audiences.
• To have strong organisational skills and a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• A willingness to complete our pre-employment checks (to be undertaken once the role is offered and accepted) which include:
• A check on your employment history by seeking two references
• A check on your eligibility to work in the UK as per the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006
• A DBS check

Please note, this role is not eligible for a visa sponsorship.

Application

Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Claire Wooldridge, Head of People, before 18 June 2025. Please read our privacy notice before applying.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a responsible and flexible employer. We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity.

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact us via our website.