Jobs for the Disability sector in Wakefield
External Communications Manager
Salary: £40,000–£42,000 FTE
Hours: 30 hours per week
Location: Remote, with regular travel to FitzRoy services, team and stakeholder meetings as agreed. The role requires attendance in London once per month and applicants must be able to commute to services in Norfolk, Nottingham and Hampshire.
Reports to: Head of Communications
Directorate: Business Development and Partnerships
FitzRoy is a national charity supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs to live lives rooted in choice, meaning and happiness.
We are strengthening our external voice and looking for a confident, perceptive and warm communicator to help more people understand FitzRoy’s expertise and impact and increase our influence.
This is a moment of change for social care. We want to play a more active role in shaping its future, ensuring the people at the heart of it are seen, heard and involved in the decisions that matter.
About the role
As External Communications Manager, you will help build FitzRoy’s profile and reputation by identifying the stories, insight and opportunities that show what good support looks like in real life.
You will work closely with the Head of Communications, fundraising, business development and operational colleagues to turn external communications priorities into practical plans, content and opportunities.
This is a delivery role with real influence. You will be expected to bring ideas, advise colleagues, shape practical plans and turn opportunities into action.
What you will do
You will:
- develop proactive external communications activity that raises awareness of FitzRoy’s work, expertise and impact
- spot opportunities for FitzRoy to contribute constructively to sector conversations
- identify realistic opportunities for media, sector press, partner or local coverage
- gather stories, photos, video and quotes that help people understand what good support looks like in real life
- use social media, website content, audience insight and analytics to strengthen FitzRoy’s external profile
About you
You may come from charity communications, PR, journalism, public affairs, stakeholder communications or another external communications background.
You do not need to have worked in social care before, but you will need to be interested in people, willing to learn quickly and able to handle stories about people’s lives with care, respect and good judgement.
We are looking for someone who is:
- an excellent writer and editor
- confident developing clear, accessible content for different audiences
- warm, curious and able to build rapport quickly
- able to spot strong stories, ideas and opportunities
- confident creating social media and website content shaped by audience insight
- comfortable working independently and managing competing priorities
- able to think strategically about audiences and influence, while being practical about what can be delivered in a small team
- confident gathering content including photos, videos and quotes
- willing and able to travel to FitzRoy services and meetings as needed
A full clean driving licence and access to a car for work travel are required, as some services are not easily accessible by public transport.
Working at FitzRoy
You will join a small, friendly communications team with big ambitions. This role will suit someone who enjoys a mix of planning, writing, relationship-building, story-gathering and hands-on delivery.
You will help us show the difference good support makes – and help ensure the voices, experiences and achievements of people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs are seen and heard.
How to apply
To apply, please submit your application and a covering letter.
We do not expect your covering letter to address every point in the person specification. We would like you to tell us:
- what interests you about this role and FitzRoy
- three things you would bring to the role
- a piece of communications work you are proud of and why
- how you approach using social media, website content and audience insight to build external profile
- how you would approach telling stories about people’s lives with care, respect and good judgement
If you are using AI tools to write your application, please use them with caution. We are looking for your own voice and writing style.
Our vision, mission and values guide us each step of the way, and are as important now as when the charity first began. Our vision A society where p
Train high quality assistance dogs by providing support and appropriate training throughout all stages of the dog's development using positive and reward-based training methods.
Make a tangible difference and build meaningful partnerships in your community.
About Canine Partners
At Canine Partners, we breed, train, and support expert assistance dogs to create loving, life-changing partnerships with disabled people. Across the UK, we support people with a variety of physical disabilities and their families, carefully matching them with a dog that suits their needs, personality, and lifestyle.
Our dogs bring confidence and independence, love and companionship, reducing reliance on carers and giving people the freedom to live life their own way.
The Role
Position: Dog Trainer
Hours: 22.5 hours per week
Location: Homebased covering West Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, East Sussex and Kent
Travel: This role will involve regular travel within the geographical area which you will cover (Kent, London and parts of Surrey and East Sussex). Travel is usually by car however there may be some use of public transport (e.g., to London). Occasional regional travel and overnight stays.
You'll play a vital role in training assistance dogs to a high standard whilst supporting volunteers, partners and the wider team to ensure the health, wellbeing and successful placement of the dogs throughout their working career.
What You'll Be Doing
- Train Canine Partners dogs at all stages of their training, using positive and reward-based training.
- Tailor training programmes to suit individual partner needs during the matching process.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for all dogs in training.
- Deliver partnership placement courses, supporting both the partner and dog through the transition.
- Participate in volunteer recruitment activities, including events, social media campaigns and community outreach.
About You
- Strong practical and theoretical experience in dog training and behaviour.
- Ability to handle and train dogs at all ages, using positive and reward-based training methods.
- ABTC-ATI or similar qualification could be beneficial but not essential. If you do not have a qualification, the willingness to complete it.
- Good communication and coaching / teaching skills.
- Good self-motivation and initiative.
- ICT skills, Microsoft Office, Salesforce (desirable but can offer training), email, internet etc.
- Full UK clean driving license and use of a vehicle for work that is suitable to safely transport a dog if required.
Most importantly, you will be passionate about the transformative impact that our assistance dogs provide to our beneficiaries.
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you are excited about this role, don't hesitate to apply! We welcome applicants who bring unique perspectives and would be delighted to hear from you. Please apply online with a comprehensive CV and supporting statement explaining how you believe you match the requirements of the role.
Please note if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close this advertisement prior to the closing date so apply now to ensure you don't miss out! Please be assured that we contact all candidates regarding the outcome of their application, this may take longer if we receive high volumes of applications.
Closing date: 5th July 2026
We recognise the benefit of diverse experience and welcome and encourage applications from all sections of the community. We are a disability confident committed employer.
REF-229 052
We will change the lives of disabled people using expertly trained dogs to improve physical, emotional and social wellbeing.



Support Coordinator
We are looking for an innovative, passionate, and professional individual with excellent interpersonal and organisational skills to join our Stroke Recovery Service based in Crewe.
This is an exciting opportunity to work with stroke survivors and their families to support them following a stroke.
Position: 000009 Stroke Association Support Coordinator
Location: Home-based – Crewe, Cheshire. However, extensive travel will be required as part of this role (may include team meetings or other work-related meetings)
Hours: Part-time, 21 hours per week
Salary: Circa £17,000 per annum (FTE circa £28,300 per annum)
Contract: Our services are contracted, we currently have funding for this contract until 31 March 2027
Benefits: 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (this will increase with service up to 30 days, full time equivalent) cashback and discount scheme, employee assistance programme, learning and development, pension scheme, Life Assurance, Eye Care vouchers, Long Service Award, Tax-free childcare, Health Cash Plan, Working Pattern Agreement, flexible working opportunities available.
Closing Date: Sunday 5 July 2026
Interview Date: 2 stage interview process – Thursday 9 July & Thursday 16 July 2026. Interviews will be held via video conferencing. Please let us know if this will present any challenges when you email your application.
The Role
Reporting to the Service Delivery Coach, you will have the ability to support stroke survivors to identify their goals. Using strong assessment skills and a person-centred approach enabling them to maximise their recovery and improve communication.
Key responsibilities will include:
· Supporting new stroke survivors and their carers from hospital discharge into the community.
· Provide personalised information, advice and support.
· Supporting stroke survivors to make informed lifestyle changes which will help them to prevent further strokes.
· Work collaboratively with NHS colleagues and other areas of the community to make a difference in the lives of people affected by stroke.
About You
You will have experience in:
· Experience/background in a caring profession, ideally supporting people with disabilities
· Excellent IT skills and an ability to maintain accurate records.
· An affinity with the values of the Stroke Association.
· A flexible approach and an ability to effectively manage a caseload.
This role requires extensive travel across a large geographical locality to visit people at home and in community settings. Candidates must be able to demonstrate how they can meet this requirement of the role
To fulfil the role, you must be a resident of the UK and have the right to work in the UK.
Applications
Please submit your CV, (including details of your current address), and a supporting statement of no more than two pages, demonstrating how you meet the person specification and what you bring to the role in terms of your skills and experience.
If you are applying under the Disability Confident scheme, please indicate this in your supporting statement, and in the main body of your email when applying for the role.
You will be able to view the role profile when you apply.
Stroke Association
Finding strength through support
The Stroke Association is the only charity in the UK providing lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families. We provide tailored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year. This support includes one-to-one and group support, funding vital scientific research into stroke prevention, acute treatment, recovery and long-term care, and campaigning to secure the best care for everyone affected by stroke.
We’re here for stroke survivors and their loved ones, from the moment they enter the new and frightening post-stroke world, supporting them every step of the way as they find their strength and their way back to life.
It’s only thanks to the generosity of our supporters and donors that we can provide vital support.
Stroke Association is driven by our ambition to improve the lives of everyone affected by stroke. This means we’re determined to create an equitable and inclusive workplace that benefits from the difference, and thrives on the diversity, of our people. Guided by Our approach to solving inequity in stroke, we are prioritising listening to, and learning from, lived experience across our charity.
We are working to improve the representation of this lived experience at all levels within the Stroke Association and we are eager to recruit applicants from a variety of communities and backgrounds. We are keen to receive applications from people affected by stroke, people of colour, members of LGBT+ communities, and disabled people because these identities and experiences are underrepresented and would add enormous value to how we work.
We are a Disability Confident employer, and we are making great progress focusing on flexible working, reasonable adjustments and access to work. Our charity has a variety of staff network groups and we're committed to continuously improving our diversity and inclusion efforts. If you have questions, or access needs, we’re happy to discuss any support and adjustments we can make throughout the recruitment process so that you’re able to contribute your best in a way that meets your needs.
You may also have experience in areas such as Care Coordinator, Stroke Support, Stroke, Care, Care Worker, Support Worker, Carer, Care Team Leader, Support Team Leader, Volunteering Manager, Volunteer Coordinator, Support Group, Support and Advice, Social Care, Carer Support, Support Service.
Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.