Advice volunteer volunteer jobs in Dunstable, central bedfordshire

Health Professional Education and Engagement Manager

Bowel Cancer UK is the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. We’re determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. We support and fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.

We currently have employees working across four nations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we’re in a privileged position to be able to deliver our ambitious new strategy, On a Mission. There are huge challenges facing bowel cancer patients across the UK and our community needs us now more than ever. We’re building a strong and united team to bring us closer to a world where nobody dies of bowel cancer.

Job Summary

A key focus of our strategy is to reach and engage with as many people as possible, affected by and at risk of bowel cancer, by embedding our information and support services within NHS diagnostic, treatment and care pathways. As Health Professional Education and Engagement Manager you will play a central role in helping us achieve this. With a focus on developing networks in primary care and developing existing relationships with CNS’s and secondary care health professionals, you will work across the UK to understand the needs of these stakeholders and identify ways in which we can support them. You will lead the development of our health professional education programme, combining live education events with online learning modules.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and at Bowel Cancer UK we are committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Successful candidates may be subject to either a satisfactory basic, standard or enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) dependent upon the role.

Do you have a strong background in property management, including good landlord & tenant experience and an excellent understanding and knowledge of property law? Then join Shelter as an Estates Surveyor and you could soon be playing a vital role at the heart of our Property and Facilities team.

About Shelter

A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change, with individuals, in communities, across society, and leading the way to a safe home. We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

At Shelter we are united by our purpose to defend the right to a safe home. Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. We believe that to win that fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement for change. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, fair, equitable and transparent.

We have committed to combat racism both within and outside Shelter and welcome you on our journey to becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.

About the team

Our Property and Facilities team is responsible for ensuring Shelter’s estate is fit for purpose and fully compliant for its staff, volunteers and clients. We provide a full range of professional services, including acquisitions, disposals, rent and lease negotiations, rating, estates management, building surveying, strategic planning, budgeting, compliance, health & safety and facilities management. We also support all office and shop relocations, refurbishments and planned maintenance projects, while our portfolio comprises one freehold head office property in London, 24 leasehold offices and around 90 leasehold shops across England and Scotland.

About the role

You will be responsible for all property related matters across Scotland and England for our diverse portfolio. That will involve making regular site visits, with occasional overnight stays. As well as ensuring all lease events are managed and actioned and properties are safe, maintained and fully compliant, we’ll also rely on you to assist with the development and implementation of robust policies, processes and systems to help manage the estate in an efficient and cost-effective manner. In short, it’s an incredibly varied role that will see you make a real difference in how Shelter’s commercial estate is managed.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

Role Specifics

You’ll need a degree level qualification in a surveying/property related discipline and full RICS membership. You’ll also need a good understanding of the planning process and building regulations approval system. The confidence to lead and manage multiple projects effectively and ensure they’re delivered on time and on budget, from inception to completion, is important too. Self-motivated, capable of working both unsupervised and as part of a team, and with a positive ‘can do’ attitude, providing solutions, giving sound property advice and negotiating effectively with a variety of key stakeholders comes naturally to you. What’s more, you have good computer literacy skills and are comfortable working with spreadsheets and data.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

To find out more about the role and the benefits of working for Shelter please visit our website. Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

About Young Roots

At Young Roots, we want to see a compassionate and welcoming society for young refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. We work alongside young people seeking safety in the UK, building trusted relationships, providing practical and emotional support and promoting young people’s rights and power.

Our youth clubs and casework are transformative for young refugees, allowing young people who have fled danger, had traumatic journeys and who are often here alone, to find community and connection, have a space to be a young person and access support in addressing a whole range of practical challenges they face. We also draw on our evidence from working every day with young refugees and asylum seekers to call for change to the laws and policies which are harming young people. 

The role

We’re looking for an experienced and collaborative Head of Finance to lead our financial management, planning, and governance.

This is a senior and influential role, sitting on our Leadership Group and working closely with the CEO, Trustees, and Finance Committee. You’ll provide clear financial insight to support decision-making, ensure strong financial stewardship, and help us plan sustainably for the future.

You’ll take ownership of the full finance function, supported by an Internal Operations Officer who manages day-to-day transactional processing.

What you’ll do

• Lead financial planning, including budgeting, forecasting, and cashflow management
• Produce clear, high-quality management accounts and financial analysis
• Support strategic decision-making through strong financial insight and modelling
• Ensure robust financial controls, systems, and compliance (including audit, SORP, and statutory reporting)
• Partner with colleagues across the organisation to support budgeting, funding bids, and full cost recovery
• Oversee payroll and financial operations, ensuring accuracy and efficiency
• Contribute to organisational strategy as part of the Leadership Group

About you

You’ll be a confident and values-driven finance professional who enjoys working collaboratively and making complex information accessible.

You’ll bring:

• Significant experience in a senior finance role within a charity or not-for-profit
• Strong knowledge of charity finance, including SORP, restricted funding, and compliance
• Experience producing management accounts, budgets, and forecasts for non-finance audiences
• The ability to influence and support senior leaders with financial insight
• A proactive, hands-on approach with strong attention to detail

A professional accountancy qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) or equivalent experience is desirable.

This role is designed as a part-time position (28 hours/week) with flexibility around how hours are worked. We are a hybrid organisation, with the option to work remotely or from our London offices (Croydon or Brent). We ask that ideally you attend at least one in-person team day per month in London.

We offer a supportive, inclusive working environment and the opportunity to play a key role in a mission-driven organisation making a real difference.

To Apply:

To apply, please submit your CV alongside a personal statement by the closing date outlining how you would be a great fit for the role.

Your personal statement should be no more than 800 words, answering the following questions:

1. What is your motivation for working with Young Roots? (100 words)
2. What is your motivation for applying for this role specifically? (200 words)
3. What skills and experience would you bring that will enable you to be successful in this role?  Please ensure you refer to the essential criteria on the person specification and provide examples to demonstrate how and where you meet the criteria. (500 words)

Please submit your application via Charity Jobs.

No agencies, please.

Closing date: 14th April

Interview date: 20th April

Young Roots recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equity and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those who can face disadvantage in employment, such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals and people with disabilities. As an organisation that supports refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, we particularly welcome applications from people within these communities. We offer a guaranteed interview for those with lived experience of the asylum system and those with disabilities, where they meet the essential elements of the person specification. If aspects of the application process create barriers to you applying and you’d like any adjustment to the process or you’d like an informal discussion or advice on your application, please get in touch. We would also like to alert you to the existence of organisations which support people from under-represented groups to access employment, who can advise you on applying for this role. For example, Scope, Young Women’s Trust and Experts by Experience.

Young Roots is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. We take this duty very seriously.

Our work is underpinned by policies and procedures which promote safe working practices. We have a framework of training and supervision which everyone is expected to comply with and systems for monitoring, quality assurance and gaining service user feedback. On joining you will be expected to be part of this approach to safeguard our service users.

We are looking for a committed and proactive Safeguarding, Complaints and Assurance Officer to play a vital role in strengthening our organisational governance and ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and satisfaction of the people we support.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our charity at a pivotal time and help shape best practice, champion learning, and support continuous improvement across safeguarding, complaints management, and organisational assurance.

About the Role

As our Safeguarding, Complaints and Assurance Officer, you will:

Safeguarding

• Act as the central point of contact for all safeguarding concerns
• Coordinate referrals, maintaining accurate and compliant records
• Support staff in recognising and reporting concerns
• Liaise with statutory agencies such as local authorities and police
• Monitor trends and escalate risks appropriately

Complaints Management

• Lead and oversee the end‑to‑end complaints process
• Ensure fair, consistent, and timely resolution
• Conduct or support investigations
• Maintain clear, auditable complaint records
• Communicate professionally and transparently with complainants

Assurance, Risk & Continuous Improvement

• Provide assurance that risks are identified, recorded, and managed
• Produce regular reports for senior leaders and trustees
• Support internal audits and external inspections
• Analyse data to identify themes and embed organisational learning
• Contribute to policy development and staff training

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Highly professional, organised and confidential in their approach
• Able to work independently and make sound judgements
• Compassionate, proactive and committed to our charity’s values
• Confident in communicating with a wide range of stakeholders
• Skilled in analysing information and producing clear reports

Essential experience:

• Managing safeguarding concerns in a charity, public, or regulated setting
• Handling and investigating complaints
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation
• Experience with risk management and assurance processes

Desirable experience:

• Working within the charity or voluntary sector
• Supporting audits or regulatory inspections
• Training or qualifications in safeguarding, social care, law, or investigations

About Life:

Life is a national pregnancy support charity that helps over 60,000 people a year. Through our services, we help people – whoever they are – to meet pregnancy or pregnancy loss with courage and dignity so they can flourish.

Our services include

• Supported housing and community support
• Counselling and skilled listening
• Free pregnancy tests and baby supplies

Our values

All our work is underpinned by the following universal human values:

• Humanity – All people are special and equal
• Solidarity – We’re with you and for you
• Community – We’re better together
• Charity – Doing good for one another
• Common good – Building a better world

Information about the role:

For further information, please see the attached job description.

Please note, driving licence and own vehicle are required.

Salary: £30,000 per annum

Hours: 30 hours per week, Monday – Friday

Location: Home based but there is a requirement to be based in The Midlands

Benefits

At Life we are passionate about providing our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. As well as ongoing development and training, we offer our:

• Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time hours)
• Birthday Leave (applicable after 1 years service)
• Extra annual leave for long term service
• Company Pension Scheme
• Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge

Safeguarding and Equality

Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.

Responsible To:  Conservation Manager Wales
Location:  Home based, with frequent travel around the project site in the Alun Valley, Vale of Glamorgan, S Wales.
Salary:  £28,148 - £32,519 plus 8% employer pension contribution
Hours: Full time, 37 Hours Per Week (1 FTE)
Contract:  Fixed term contract ending 31st August 2027
 
Natur am Byth! is Wales' flagship species recovery programme. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), Natural Resources Wales, Welsh Government, Welsh Government’s Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme, Arts Council Wales and Esmee Fairbairn, Natur am Byth unites nine environmental charities to deliver the country’s largest natural heritage and outreach programme to save species from extinction and reconnect people to nature.

The High Brown Fritillary is the UK’s most threatened butterfly species, with a single colony remaining in Wales, where it is restricted to Old Castle Down and Cwm Alun in the Vale of Glamorgan. As such, the species is highly vulnerable to extinction and is a priority for targeted action through Natur am Byth! as one of a small number of single species focal projects. This post focuses on delivering surveys, monitoring and habitat improvements for High Brown Fritillary in the Alun Valley alongside wider species actions contributing to Natur am Byth! in South Wales. 
 
Job Purpose 

•  Deliver agreed conservation outcomes for the High Brown Fritillary single species project within Natur am Byth! in the Vale of Glamorgan. Lead on the delivery of survey and monitoring work, habitat management, volunteer coordination and liaison with graziers, landowners, farmers, partners and contractors to achieve the necessary habitat management outcomes. 
• Work closely alongside the High Brown Fritillary Project Officer focused on the community engagement outcomes of Natur am Byth!, which complement the conservation outcomes. With volunteering and community engagement a critical part of delivering species recovery and ensuring its legacy, close communication and collaboration is essential to deliver this role effectively. 
•  Deliver targeted habitat management activities and conservation advice, survey and monitoring for wider species outcomes within South Wales. 

 
Main Responsibilities

• Lead conservation action targeting High Brown Fritillary within the Alun Valley through liaison with internal and external partners and stakeholders (including private landowners, commoners, land managers, and NRW). 
• Coordinate and manage site-wide habitat monitoring and assessment for High Brown Fritillary to ensure management activities are delivering successfully. 
• Deliver site advisory visits providing specific ecological advice on habitat management for butterflies and moths to benefit threatened species as part of wider site management objectives.
• Manage targeted habitat improvements for High Brown Fritillary and Adder in the Alun Valley through supervision of habitat management contracts and coordination and delivery of volunteer work parties. 
• Organise and deliver a series of conservation workshops to share and promote good practice in grazing and habitat management techniques for threatened species. 
• Lead and collate GIS mapping of species, habitat and project activities to support project reporting, activity planning and ongoing monitoring. 
• Maintain good working relationships with key landowners & commoners,  securing all relevant permissions to undertake appropriate land management where required and engage them in Natur am Byth! events and outcomes.
• Review Natur am Byth! project objectives and schedule and revise actions to maximise impact for species and key stakeholders for an effective project legacy. 
• Manage the conservation elements of the project budget alongside your line manager, and maintain administrative systems to ensure effective delivery and evaluation of the project.
• Ensure effective health and safety procedures are in place for all participants, including staff, public, volunteers, project partners and other BC staff. 
• Promote and publicise the work of the project through events, presentations, print and social media. 
• Contribute to conservation delivery for species within Natur am Byth! and Butterfly Conservation’s wider work within South Wales in agreement with your line manager.

 
General

• Promote BC’s values (Excellence, Passionate, Inspiring, Collaborative) ensuring they are adopted in all aspects of the role.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required and commensurate with the grade of post.
• Undertake all duties and responsibilities in compliance with the rules and regulations encompassing equal opportunities to help foster a diverse workforce.
• Work in accordance with BC’s policies, procedures, and codes of conduct
• Actively participate in on-going professional development activities.

 
Candidates must have the right to work and be resident in the UK.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early before the advertised closing date and time.

Closing date: 7 April 2026, 9am
Interviews will be held on 16 April 2026
 
Teitl Swydd:  Swyddog Cadwraeth Natur am Byth! 
Yn atebol i:  Rheolwr Cadwraeth Cymru
Lleoliad:  Gartref, gan deithio'n aml o amgylch safle'r prosiect yn Nyffryn Alun, Bro Morgannwg, De Cymru.
Cyflog:  £28,148 - £32,519 ynghyd â chyfraniad pensiwn cyflogwr o 8%
Oriau: Llawn amser, 37 awr yr wythnos (1 FTE)
Contract:  Contract tymor penodol yn dod i ben ar 31 Awst 2027
 
Natur am Byth! yw rhaglen flaenllaw Cymru ar gyfer adfer rhywogaethau. Caiff Natur am Byth ei ariannu gan Gronfa Dreftadaeth y Loteri Genedlaethol, Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, Llywodraeth Cymru, Cynllun Cymunedau Treth Gwarediadau Tirlenwi Llywodraeth Cymru, Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru ac Esmee Fairbairn, ac mae’n dod â naw elusen amgylcheddol ynghyd i gyflawni rhaglen treftadaeth naturiol ac allgymorth fwyaf y wlad i achub rhywogaethau rhag difodiant ac ailgysylltu pobl â natur.
 
Y Fritheg Frown yw'r glöyn byw sy’n wynebu’r bygythiad mwyaf yn y DU, gydag un gytref ar ôl yng Nghymru, lle mae wedi'i gyfyngu i Old Castle Down a Chwm Alun ym Mro Morgannwg. O'r herwydd, mae'r rhywogaeth yn agored iawn i ddifodiant ac mae'n flaenoriaeth ar gyfer camau gweithredu wedi'u targedu drwy Natur am Byth! fel un o nifer fach o brosiectau sy'n canolbwyntio ar un rhywogaeth. Mae'r swydd hon yn canolbwyntio ar gyflawni arolygon, monitro a gwella cynefinoedd ar gyfer y Fritheg Frown yn Nyffryn Alun ochr yn ochr â chamau gweithredu ehangach ar gyfer rhywogaethau er mwyn cyfrannu at Natur am Byth! yn Ne Cymru. 
 
Pwrpas y Swydd 

•  Cyflawni canlyniadau cadwraeth y cytunwyd arnynt ar gyfer prosiect rhywogaeth sengl y Fritheg Frown o fewn Natur am Byth! ym Mro Morganwg. Arwain ar gyflawni gwaith arolygu a monitro, rheoli cynefinoedd, cydlynu gwirfoddolwyr a chysylltu â phorwyr, tirfeddianwyr, ffermwyr, partneriaid a chontractwyr i gyflawni'r canlyniadau rheoli cynefinoedd angenrheidiol. 
• Gweithio'n agos ochr yn ochr â Swyddog Prosiect y Fritheg Frown gan ganolbwyntio ar ganlyniadau ymgysylltu cymunedol Natur am Byth!, sy'n ategu'r canlyniadau cadwraeth. Gyda gwirfoddoli ac ymgysylltu cymunedol yn rhan hanfodol o gyflawni adferiad y rhywogaeth a sicrhau gwaddol, mae cyfathrebu a chydweithio agos yn hanfodol i gyflawni'r rôl hon yn effeithiol. 
•  Cyflwyno gweithgareddau rheoli cynefinoedd a chyngor cadwraeth wedi'u targedu, arolygu a monitro ar gyfer canlyniadau rhywogaethau ehangach yn Ne Cymru. 

 
Prif Gyfrifoldebau

• Arwain camau cadwraeth sy'n targedu'r Fritheg Frown yn Nyffryn Alun trwy gysylltu â phartneriaid a rhanddeiliaid mewnol ac allanol (gan gynnwys tirfeddianwyr preifat, cominwyr, rheolwyr tir, a CNC). 
• Cydlynu a rheoli gwaith monitro ac asesu cynefinoedd ar draws safleoedd cyfan ar gyfer y Fritheg Frown i sicrhau bod gweithgareddau rheoli yn cyflawni'n llwyddiannus. 
• Cynnal ymweliadau cynghori ar safleoedd gan roi cyngor ecolegol penodol ar reoli cynefinoedd ar gyfer gloÿnnod byw a gwyfynod er budd rhywogaethau sydd dan fygythiad fel rhan o amcanion rheoli safleoedd ehangach.
• Rheoli gwelliannau wedi'u targedu i gynefin y Fritheg Frown a'r Wiber yn Nyffryn Alun trwy oruchwylio contractau rheoli cynefinoedd a chydlynu a darparu partïon gwaith gwirfoddol. 
• Trefnu a chyflwyno cyfres o weithdai cadwraeth i rannu a hyrwyddo arfer da mewn technegau pori a rheoli cynefinoedd ar gyfer rhywogaethau dan fygythiad. 
• Arwain a choladu gwaith mapio GIS ar gyfer rhywogaethau, cynefinoedd a gweithgareddau’r prosiect i gefnogi gwaith adrodd, cynllunio gweithgareddau a monitro parhaus y prosiect. 
• Cynnal perthnasoedd gwaith da gyda thirfeddianwyr a chominwyr allweddol, gan sicrhau'r caniatâd perthnasol i ymgymryd â gwaith rheoli tir priodol lle bo angen a'u cynnwys yn nigwyddiadau a chanlyniadau Natur am Byth!.
• Adolygu amcanion prosiect Natur am Byth! a threfnu a diwygio camau gweithredu i gael yr effaith orau posibl ar rywogaethau a rhanddeiliaid allweddol er mwyn sicrhau gwaddol effeithiol i'r prosiect. 
• Rheoli’r elfennau cadwraeth sy’n gysylltiedig â chyllideb y prosiect ochr yn ochr â'ch rheolwr llinell, a chynnal systemau gweinyddol i sicrhau bod y prosiect yn cael ei gyflawni a'i werthuso'n effeithiol.
• Sicrhau bod gweithdrefnau iechyd a diogelwch effeithiol ar waith i bob cyfranogwr, gan gynnwys staff, y cyhoedd, gwirfoddolwyr, partneriaid y prosiect ac aelodau staff eraill Gwarchod Gloÿnnod Byw. 
• Hyrwyddo a rhoi cyhoeddusrwydd i waith y prosiect drwy ddigwyddiadau, cyflwyniadau, cyfryngau print a chyfryngau cymdeithasol. 
• Cyfrannu at gyflawni cadwraeth ar gyfer rhywogaethau o fewn gwaith ehangach Natur am Byth! a Gwarchod Gloÿnnod Byw yn Ne Cymru mewn cytundeb â'ch rheolwr llinell.

 
Cyffredinol

• Hyrwyddo gwerthoedd Gwarchod Gloÿnnod Byw (Rhagoriaeth, Angerddol, Ysbrydoledig, Cydweithredol) gan sicrhau eu bod yn cael eu mabwysiadu ym mhob agwedd ar y rôl.
• Ymgymryd ag unrhyw ddyletswyddau rhesymol eraill yn ôl yr angen ac sy’n gymesur â gradd y swydd.
• Ymgymryd â'r holl ddyletswyddau a chyfrifoldebau yn unol â'r rheolau a'r rheoliadau sy'n cwmpasu cyfleoedd cyfartal er mwyn helpu i feithrin gweithlu amrywiol.
• Gweithio yn unol â pholisïau, gweithdrefnau a chodau ymddygiad Gwarchod Gloÿnnod Byw
• Cymryd rhan weithredol mewn gweithgareddau datblygiad proffesiynol parhaus.

 
REF-227 190

JOB TITLE:HR Coordinator

LOCATION:                        Great Horwood, Buckinghamshire (minimum 4 days in office per week)

SALARY: £35 - £40k per annum, depending on experience

JOB TYPE: Permanent, 5 days per week (37.5 hours)

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives.

We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving Medical Alert Assistance Dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease with our Bio Detection Dogs.  We have an exciting new opportunity to join this small, but ambitious charity that is a world leader in its specialist innovative field.

MAIN PURPOSE & SCOPE OF THE ROLE:

The HR Coordinator will provide specialist and proactive support to other departments within the charity to ensure organisational compliance in all relevant areas relating to HR.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Reporting to the People Engagement Manager, you will be supporting the Charity to set and deliver on its People Strategy. You will be responsible for providing operational HR services, advice, and guidance with a primary focus on HR transactions, employee relations management, engagement, recruitment and performance management.  You will identify, analyse and utilise HR data to inform decision making and identify more efficient ways of working.

Reports to: People Engagement Manager

ABOUT THE ROLE

• You will lead the development and implementation of a best practice approach to recruitment.
• You will advise managers on best practice techniques for monthly one-to-one meetings and annual appraisals to ensure staff feel confident to openly discuss challenges as well as successes.
• You will review and update our existing HR policies and procedures, ensuring they not only comply with current HR law but importantly promote best practice.
• You will also work with the senior leadership team to develop a set of organisational values that prioritise equality, diversity and inclusion and reflect best practice, ensuring these are then communicated to all staff, volunteers, and stakeholders.
• This is a rare opportunity to join a charity that wants to strengthen the support it provides to its staff and volunteers.

Responsibilities of the Role

• Maintain all HR policies and procedures ensuring they are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect relevant legislation and best practice.
• Ensure managers and staff are aware of and understand policies and procedures, communicate changes, and provide support to managers when interpreting policies as required.
• To work in collaboration with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team in leading Medical Detection Dogs towards our vision of becoming a staff-centric charity.
• Provide an efficient service to deliver HR transaction activities throughout the employment lifecycle, from offer to off-boarding.
• Provide support, guidance, and advice for managers in conducting and concluding employee relations cases, including absence, performance management, disciplinary and grievance cases, ensuring adherence to policy.
• Manage, maintain, and deliver the charity’s onboarding induction to new members of staff.
• Always maintain the highest levels of discretion and confidentiality.
• Be a role model within the charity demonstrating MDD’s values and behaviours at all times.
• Monitor completion of performance appraisals and one to one meetings, issuing reminders and offering support to managers as required.
• Coordinate and support the delivery of employee engagement surveys, including planning, analysis, reporting and follow up actions.
• Produce regular HR reports and people data metrics for the Senior Leadership Team (e.g. turnover, tenure, sickness absence trends, performance outcomes).
• Maintain and update the HR system (Breathe HR), ensuring employee records are accurate and up to date.
• Prepare and submit monthly payroll changes to the finance team in line with payroll deadlines.
• Manage staff benefits including the health cash plan, life assurance, pension scheme and long service awards.
• Produce and circulate internal HR communications such as staff newsletters, HR updates and policy changes.
• Coordinate and support learning and development activities, including booking and maintaining training records and delivering HR related training for managers and staff (e.g. one to ones, appraisals, HR systems).
• Assist in developing employee engagement initiatives.
• Contribute to wellbeing and inclusion initiatives.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• CIPD Qualified and a minimum of 3 years’ experience in a similar role or currently undertaking the qualification.
• Employee relations (e.g. performance, absence, disciplinary, grievance, redundancy, etc) case management in line with current UK employment legislation
• Management of end-to-end recruitment activity, supporting hiring managers and focussed on candidate experience
• Excellent interpersonal, networking and communication skills
• Experience of managing relationships with staff at all levels

Desirable

• Experience of reward and recognition practices
• Experience of managing and inspiring staff, including encouraging innovation and improving ways of working to build a resilient and high performing team culture that delivers results
• Effective organisation and administrative skills gained within HR
• Experience on use of HR database (BREATHE)

Knowledge & Skills

 

DESIRABLE

• Ability to work independently and under minimal supervision in a fast paced and demanding environment, exercising good judgement, and using own initiative.
• Ability to work supportively and effectively within and across teams and build good working relationships
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when appropriate
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office
• Highly effective written and verbal communication skills
• Good influencing and negotiation skills
• Strong people management skills with the ability to train and develop individuals and create a ‘one team’ ethos

Other Requirements

• A full current driving license
• Comfortable with dogs in the workplace/office

DIVERITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION

We are a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive Charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

 

Charity Values

All employees are expected to uphold the charity’s core values in their daily work. This includes demonstrating respect through open and considerate communication, fostering cooperation by working collaboratively, maintaining honesty in all interactions and ensuring fairness through just and transparent decision-making.

Benefits

• Sick Pay
• Health Cash Plan
• 26 days holiday, increasing with service
• 5% Employer Pension Contribution
• Free On-site parking
• Life Insurance   

Help shape the future of income generation at Alopecia UK. This newly created role offers a rare opportunity to build and lead fundraising at a small but ambitious national charity.

We are looking for a strategic and hands-on Senior Fundraising Manager to lead our next phase of income growth. As our first dedicated fundraising leadership role, you will develop and deliver a multi-year income strategy, strengthen existing income streams, and identify new opportunities to diversify and grow our fundraising.

Working closely with the CEO and colleagues across the organisation, you will play a central role in helping Alopecia UK reach more people affected by alopecia and ensure the charity’s long-term sustainability. This role offers the chance to combine strategy with delivery, innovation with implementation, and to see the direct impact of your work.

If you enjoy building, testing and growing income in a collaborative and mission-driven environment, we would love to hear from you.

Why this role matters

This is more than a fundraising leadership role. It is about shaping the financial sustainability of Alopecia UK, embedding a confident and ambitious income culture, and ensuring our impact is communicated with clarity, integrity and inspiration.

The successful candidate will help ensure that more people can access support, that our voice grows stronger, and that our mission is sustained for the long term.

Role description: Senior Fundraising Manager  (Full recruitment pack and application process is attached below.)

• Salary: £45,000 per annum, pro rata.
• Hours: Part-time (22.5 hours per week, flexible, during normal UK working hours we would consider a contract with fewer hours for the right candidate.  All of our team work Monday mornings to ensure connectivity.)
• Contract type: Permanent
• Report to: Chief Executive
• Home-based: This role will include occasional national travel for team meetings.

Strategic leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of a multi-year income generation strategy aligned to Alopecia UK priorities.
• Work across the organisation to ensure fundraising activity is fully integrated with operational delivery, partnering closely with the finance, communications and delivery managers to align plans, resources and messaging, and to ensure shared initiatives are realistic, coordinated and achievable.
• Translate insight from your experience and our recent fundraising strategy review into clear, achievable plans.
• Set and monitor ambitious yet realistic income targets across income streams.
• Responsibility for achieving the fundraising targets and other fundraising-related performance indicators.
• Embed a positive fundraising culture across the organisation.
• Manage and review all fundraising income and expenditure budgets.

Income growth & diversification

As a part-time role within a small charity, the postholder will need to carefully prioritise income-generating opportunities alongside stewardship and relationship management. In year one, a key focus will be establishing effective donor pathways through the rollout of our new CRM, ensuring supporters experience clear and meaningful journeys with the charity. Alongside this, the Senior Fundraising Manager will assess and determine which early opportunities for growth should be prioritised. While areas such as community fundraising, digital campaigns and regular giving are likely to offer early potential, the postholder will lead decisions on where to focus effort and investment to generate the strongest returns.

• Leverage and optimise existing community and public fundraising activity to increase income and supporter numbers.
• Develop and grow new revenue streams, to potentially include digital fundraising campaigns, regular giving, trusts and grants, and legacy giving.
• Lead creatively and intellectually on compelling campaigning initiatives that drive engagement and income.
• Provide excellent stewardship to ensure funders and partners feel valued, engaged and motivated to continue their support.
•  Widen our existing corporate partnerships programme by building mutually beneficial partnerships to deliver income, awareness, and engagement opportunities.

CRM

• Support the design and rollout of our first CRM system, working closely with the Finance & Operations Manager to design fit-for-purpose donor journeys and pathways, establish meaningful reporting frameworks and ensure data supports excellent stewardship and strategic decision-making.
• Use CRM data and financial information to track performance, analyse trends and adjust strategy as required.

Data & impact

• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, including ICO guidance, GDPR and the Code of Fundraising Practice.
• Work closely with the Finance & Operations Manager to ensure our data meaningfully represents organisational outcomes.
• Translate impact data into powerful, succinct and persuasive communications or compelling cases for support.

Mind BLMK works across our communities to support positive mental health and wellbeing. Working closely with a range of partners, we offer a number of activities from our wellbeing centres and local venues to make a difference to the mental health and wellbeing of people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, and our aim is to make sure that no-one has to face a mental health problem alone.

Job title: Lived Experience Facilitator - Service User Network (SUN)
Post no: 660
Working base: Mind BLMK - Luton Wellbeing Centre
Area covered: Bedfordshire and Luton (SUN offers a combination of online and face to face groups)
Hours: 21 hours per week. Monday – Friday
Working pattern: Tuesdays 9.30am – 5.00pm (7 hours) Remaining 14 hours to be negotiated depending on service need (within the hours Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 5.00pm)
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £25,147.00 per annum FTE (£14,272.62 per annum actual for 21 hours per week)

About the Service User Network (SUN)

The SUN is an open access model of community-based facilitated group peer support for people experiencing complex emotional needs associated with complex trauma and/or a diagnosis of ‘personality disorder’. The SUN aims to help people develop effective ways of coping, reduce emergencies and improve access to appropriate services.

Those accessing the SUN may or may not have a formal diagnosis of personality disorder. Group members will have experienced longstanding emotional difficulties, isolation and may demonstrate patterns of behaviour that may not be helpful in the longer term.

About the Role

Fundamental to creating empowerment and engagement in the SUN Project is the therapeutic community principle, that the effectiveness of the service depends upon engaging group members in the task of running, delivery, development and evaluation of the service. The utilisation of SUN members’ own resources and expertise is integral to the SUN model of peer support.

SUN Facilitators will have their own lived experience of complex emotional needs associated with a diagnosis of ‘personality disorder’ and will be able to demonstrate their recovery journey. They will work closely with mental health practitioners from ELFT (East London NHS Foundation Trust) to deliver regular Service User Network (SUN) groups in different community-based locations in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire or Luton. Full training in the SUN model, and weekly supervision by a Psychotherapist / Psychologist, will be provided for all team members.

Facilitators will work to develop and support the therapeutic community principle of the SUN model and the effectiveness of the service through engaging group members in the task of running, delivery, development, and evaluation of the service. The utilisation of SUN members’ own resources and expertise is integral to the model of peer support upon which the SUN groups are based.

SUN facilitators will have regular supervision and support in this role along with appropriate training.

Entitlements/benefits:

• 25 days (pro rata) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Auto-enrolment NEST pension scheme (employer contributes 3%, employee contributes 5%)
• Optional Health Plan
• Discounts available through Blue Light Card & Tickets for Good
• In-house and external Learning and Development as appropriate for the role.
• Flexible Working On request (in line with Mind BLMK policy on Right to Request Flexible Working)

If you have a passion for working in mental health and possess the required skills, we would love to hear from you.

Closedown: Monday 13th April 2026 at 5:00 pm
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if enough suitable applicants apply
Start date: ASAP

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Mind BLMK has been committed to the Mindful Employer charter and the Disability Confident Employer Scheme since 2008.

Please note: Mind BLMK follows Safer Recruitment practices and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Therefore all our roles are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

No agencies please.

Education & Development Manager
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 35 hours per week Monday to Friday
Location: SIA House, Milton Keynes, MK6. We offer hybrid working with the expectation of three days per week in the office.
Salary: £41,911 per annum

Thank you for your interest in joining our special charity!

About Us

The Spinal Injuries Association is committed to a singular vision: a fulfilled life for everyone affected by spinal cord injury.

Everyone has a right to live a fulfilled life and that means the life they choose, a life that has the same opportunities as everyone else. We are the expert guiding voice for life after spinal cord injury.

About the Role

This role leads the development and delivery of the Spinal Injuries Association’s (SIA) training, learning and professional development offer. The successful candidate will manage the delivery of high‑quality programmes that strengthen the knowledge, skills and confidence of professionals supporting people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Key responsibilities include expanding SIA’s existing training offer, creating advanced and tailored learning packages for a range of audiences across health, social care, education, the voluntary sector and wider community partners. Programmes are delivered through flexible formats — online, in‑person and hybrid — and adaptable to different organisations’ CPD requirements.

A core part of the role will be to manage the ongoing development and improvement of SIA’s Knowledge Hub, ensuring it remains current, accessible and aligned with best practice. This includes enhancing content quality, identifying gaps, and ensuring the platform supports both SIA’s training programmes and the wider SCI community.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with Spinal Cord Injury Centres, major trauma centres, district general hospitals and external providers to maintain strong sector relationships and uphold SIA’s reputation as a trusted source of expertise. Strong organisational, creative and project management skills are essential to coordinate complex schedules and drive forward SIA’s learning and knowledge offer.

Benefits:

• Annual leave: 28 days per holiday year plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days after two years of service (pro-rated for part time employees)
• Access to Group pension scheme (6% employer contribution)
• Access to Group life assurance scheme
• Access to Healthcare cash plan
• Access to discounted gym membership
• Access to Employee assistance programme (EAP)
• Employee volunteer days
• Free car parking at SIA House
• Investing in our people – all members of staff are encouraged to discuss their development plans and aspirations with their line manager. A budget is available for talent development

This post will play a critical role in achieving our ambitions. We hope that the role inspires you and we look forward to receiving your application.

Closing date: Tuesday 7 April 2026, 9am
First round Interviews: 22 April 2026, at SIA House, Milton Keynes
Second round interviews: 29 April 2026, at SIA House, Milton Keynes.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

At SIA, we value diversity. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment as we believe diversity fosters a more innovative, creative, and caring culture.

We are striving to create a culture that fully represents all the communities we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, family or parental status, or disability status.

Disabled candidates who meet the standard job criteria will be offered a guaranteed interview. Fully remote working considered for the right candidate.

No agencies please.

The Woodland Trust is looking for an Engaging Communities Officer to join our exciting Sherwood’s Living Legends project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. A development grant has been awarded by Heritage Fund to help the Woodland Trust progress the project over 18-months to apply for a 5-year delivery stage grant. If this application is successful, the project will safeguard the future of ancient and veteran trees in Sherwood Forest and reconnect communities with this iconic landscape. This is a fixed term contract for 18-months, with the potential for an extension. 

The Role: 

• Lead the community-focused development of Sherwood’s Living Legends, shaping how people connect with the cultural, historical and ecological significance of ancient and veteran trees. 
• Co-create imaginative engagement approaches with consultants, using storytelling, heritage and local myth to inspire urban and rural communities. 
• Define target audiences and craft compelling key messages that will underpin the project’s delivery-stage communications. 
• Promote the project across the Sherwood NCA through social media, local press, PR events and creative outreach activity. 
• Ensure engagement plans are inclusive, accessible and responsive to the needs of diverse communities and participants. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, community groups, landowners and Woodland Trust teams to support joined-up project development. 
• Monitor and evaluate engagement activity, gathering insight and data to inform project design and future delivery. 
• Represent the project internally and externally, sharing successes and supporting alignment with wider Woodland Trust communications. 

The Candidate: 

• Experienced in coordinating and delivering varied community events, including consultations tailored to different audiences and locations. 
• Confident leading groups outdoors, with experience engaging children, schools and community participants in nature-based activities. 
• Skilled in partnership working, able to collaborate with volunteers, community groups and external organisations to achieve shared outcomes. 
• Strong communicator with excellent written, verbal and digital skills, including social media content creation and public-facing representation. 
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, with an understanding of how to design accessible and welcoming engagement. 
• Organised and proactive, able to manage multiple workstreams, prioritise effectively and work independently within a dispersed team. 
• Competent with IT systems, particularly MS Office and collaborative platforms such as Teams. 
• Professional, positive and adaptable, able to represent the Woodland Trust and partners with confidence and clarity. 
• The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Basic DBS Check, as part of our pre-employment screening. 

Benefits and Wellbeing: 

Joining our team means you’ll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer: 

• Enhanced Employer Pension 
• Life Assurance 
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options 
• Generous Annual Leave - 25 Days Plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d for part-time) 
• Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme 
• Enhanced Parental Pay 
• Employee Assistance Programme 

About Us: 

The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity.  We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees. 

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: 

To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees.

People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.  

Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application. 

Application Advice: 

For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, and CVs are redacted until after shortlisting is complete. Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role. Even if you don't meet every requirement of the role, we would encourage you to apply.

Acceptable Use - Artificial Intelligence (AI): 

We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools.

Apply Now: 

If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete. 

Interviews to be held on April 21st 2026.

HopeWorks is a community‑focused charity dedicated to improving the lives of the homeless, those in our supported accommodation, and those seeking resettlement in the UK. We are passionate about delivering high‑impact support and ensuring every pound we receive makes a meaningful difference. 

As our Finance Officer, you will play a key role in ensuring the smooth financial running of the organisation. You will be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, supporting budget planning, managing day‑to‑day transactions, and helping produce financial reports that support strategic decision-making. This role is perfect for someone who has finance experience in the charity sector, is highly organised, confident with IT packages, numbers and financial analysis, and motivated by the vision and values of HopeWorks.

What if your financial insight and partnership could help one of the UK's largest charities direct its resources where they make the greatest difference for people affected by dementia?

About the opportunity

As a Finance Business Partner, you'll work alongside budget holders across Alzheimer's Society, turning complex financial information into clear insights that support better decision-making. In a role where every pound matters in the fight against dementia, you'll help ensure our resources reach the places they can have the most impact, whether that's funding groundbreaking research, delivering vital support services, or campaigning for systemic change.

You'll build trusted relationships with stakeholders across the organisation, providing the financial analysis, challenge and support they need to navigate complexity with confidence. Through coaching and partnership, you'll help budget holders strengthen their own financial capability, so that sound financial thinking becomes part of how the Society operates, not something that sits only within Finance.

You'll be part of our Finance and Assurance directorate, where our vision is to be the Society's single point of truth. Working within the Financial Partnering, Planning and Analysis function, you'll be the dedicated finance partner for our Income and Engagement directorate, connecting Finance with the teams responsible for growing and protecting the Society's income. You'll translate their plans into sound financial frameworks that enable our mission rather than hold it back.

You'll already have or be open to developing a deep understanding of how fundraised, legacy and restricted income flows through the Society, and you'll use that specialism to add real value to the teams responsible for growing and stewarding our income.

About you

You're a finance professional with proven business partnering experience who understands that effective partnering means combining accurate numbers with clear communication, constructive challenge and a genuine interest in helping others see the bigger picture. You're comfortable working across boundaries, building relationships at all levels, and coaching colleagues to develop their financial confidence.

You'll have:

- A relevant professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), either fully or part qualified, or qualified by experience.
- Experience supporting business teams with budgeting, forecasting and month-end processes, including ensuring appropriate controls are in place and financial performance is communicated effectively and on time.
- A track record of applying analytical skills to provide financial advice that supports strategic decision-making.
- Experience of identifying and collecting feedback and other data to inform quality improvement and to monitor the performance of processes or tools.
- Good communication skills, with the ability to interpret financial information and present it in a way that tells a clear story.
- The confidence to challenge, negotiate and influence, while taking a balanced view that incorporates different perspectives.
- Experience working with ERP systems. Experience with Unit4 would be particularly valuable, though it is not essential.
- The ability to work independently and manage competing priorities, while knowing when to consult and when to ask for support.

It would be particularly valuable if you also bring:

- Experience partnering with income-generating, fundraising, marketing or engagement functions within a non-profit or charity setting.
- An understanding of restricted fund accounting and the financial management of legacy income.

What you'll focus on

- Partnering with budget holders across your assigned directorate to provide analysis, insight and recommendations that support effective, informed decision-making.
- Preparing financial reports, budgets, forecasts and business plans, and modelling financial data to support operational and strategic priorities.
- Supporting and challenging budget holders to identify risks and opportunities early, escalating appropriately and agreeing remedial action where needed.
- Strengthening financial knowledge and confidence across your stakeholder group through coaching, training and a partnership-based approach.
- Working collaboratively across the Finance team to design intuitive reports and analysis that meet the needs of colleagues across the Society.
- Advocating good accounting principles and helping to educate, inform and develop others within your directorate and the wider Finance team.
- Identifying cost saving or optimisation opportunities, working closely with colleagues in Procurement and Sustainability to realise these.
- Supporting Senior Business Partners in identifying key performance metrics and collecting routine feedback from partners across the Society to drive constant quality improvement.

You may also line manage a Finance Business Partnering Assistant, role-modelling a high challenge, high support culture where accountability, performance and development go hand in hand.

Are you ready to be a trusted financial partner, bringing both challenge and practical solutions to the people working to make life better for everyone affected by dementia?

Important Dates:

- Deadline for applications is Sunday 12th April 2026
- Interview invites issued Friday 17th April 2026
- Interviews taking place across W/C 20th April 2026

About Alzheimer's Society

Dementia is the UK's biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.

At Alzheimer's Society, we're the UK's leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding groundbreaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.

Together with our supporters, we're working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.

Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.  

We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society. 

Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people. 

Our hiring process

During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply.  Please also contact Alzheimer's Society Talent Acquisition Team via [email protected] for application support or any adjustments you might need.

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value it truly adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to showcase them in your own voice.

We try to avoid closing roles early where possible, however if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close earlier than the advertised closing date. Should this occur, we will aim to provide you with at least 48 hours' notice.

We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a Criminal Record Check at the relevant level. You can read more information via our Website.

Giving back to you

Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society. 

You can also visit our Working for Us pages, which give you more information about what it's like to be an employee at the Society.

JOB TITLE:                         Centre Based Assistance Dog Instructor (Maternity Cover) 

LOCATION:                        Based at our Centre in Milton Keynes, with travel up to 3 hours 

SALARY BAND:                 £26K - £32K per annum, depending on experience. Line management experience desirable.

JOB TYPE:                          Full time and Part time applicants considered. Fixed Term of 12-18 months 

REPORTS TO:                    Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme 

Medical Detection Dogs trains dogs to save lives. 

We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life-saving alert assistance dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK and collaborating with NHS Trusts and other researchers and Universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease.

We have an exciting new opportunity to join this small but fast-growing charity that is a world leader in its specialist innovative field. 

The Role 

We are looking for a passionate and driven person who has previous proven experience and skills working as an Instructor within an Assistance Dog organisation, who has worked with clients and partnerships. The role includes supporting both clients who have had a MDD dog placed with them and also our own dog applicants with their puppies and young dogs to ensure they receive the highest standard of socialisation and early training in terms of obedience, public access and developing an alert to the applicant’s condition, with the aim to reach an accreditable assistance dog partnership status. The role will also include carrying out client specific and odour training for MDD own dogs, placing these dogs with their new clients and looking after a number of established partnerships. This role would suit somebody residing up to an hour from our centre in Milton Keynes.  

Duties that encompass the role of an Instructor include:  

• Be the first point of contact for the allocated partnerships in your area. To provide guidance and instruction to applicants who have applied to the charity to have their own dogs considered for the training programme guidance and instruction on handling, behaviour and obedience and odour training as well as newly placed partnerships.

• Alongside the Instructing team, to run puppy classes, public access training, recall sessions in small groups for applicant own dogs that are in line with the charity’s quality standards and in accordance with timescales and targets. 

• To also carry out support visits and home interviews for applicants and clients that have been allocated to you.  

• Regularly monitor progress of any young dogs and partnerships in training in your area and provide detailed, evidenced feedback to Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme.

• To carry out client specific training with any MDD owned dogs that have been matched, including the required odour scent training.

• Instructing, guiding and supporting new assistance dog clients in managing and handling a Medical Alert Assistance Dog effectively, via pretraining, placement training and aftercare visits.

• Supporting partnerships in training in successfully reaching an accreditation standard and in maintaining this standard throughout the life of the partnership.

• To support a number of established partnerships in the form of aftercare, refresher training and yearly re-accreditations, assisting further afield on occasions as required.

Responsibilities  

• To escalate issues and problems to the Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme as appropriate.

• To carry out scent assessments on any MDD dogs in socialising as and when required with the support of the rest of the Instructing Team.

• To plan, organise and deliver practical and theoretical training to clients, meeting their individual needs in line with agreed standards to include areas such as dog welfare, appropriate handling, commanding and overall management. This will involve working with the parents as Team Leader and child as Client and working with adult clients.
• Assess the team dynamics of the family & balancing the needs of all family members as well as those of the dog.
• Assess the individuals preferred learning style and amending as relevant to aid a client.
• To accompany the client into all regular environments that they will take the dog to, ensuring the dog behaves in an acceptable manner and that the client and others are aware and clear in terms of where they dog should reside and behave for e.g. public transport, place of work. To complete a check list of environments for any applicant own dogs in training who are on the programme to be assessed within.
• To support and advise clients in transferring the odour training from pot training and recognising alerting behaviours to establish real life alerting.
• To ensure all partnerships are in line with the ADUK regulations with regards to behaviour, obedience and welfare and branding.
• Due to the nature of the role, flexible working hours may be required in some instances to facilitate the effective delivery of the work e.g. working during the school holidays with school age clients.
• To monitor the correct and false alerting percentages of allocated partnerships via data analysis, advising where necessary until the correct alerting levels are achieved.
• To complete comprehensive reports and paperwork for any time spent with applicants or partnerships in training or established. Maintain accurate records by providing verbal and written information with agreed timescales about clients, dogs, applicants and apprentices as appropriate.
• To work alongside allocated partnerships with the aim of the partnership reaching an accredited standard and feeding back to the Interim Head of Assistance Dog Programme if there are any concerns that the accreditation cannot be achieved.
• To provide clients with appropriate aftercare services at regular intervals in their own homes in the form of annual visits, support visits or at refresher workshops run at the Centre to agreed standards.  This will include continual re-assessment of the dynamics of family and dog, formulating and training on appropriate solutions, as well as offering additional dog training advice.
• To deliver handling days as part of an applicant’s pretraining to include ‘Introduction to Assistance Dog’ ‘Advanced Handling’ and Family Handling.
• To scent train and seizure proof advanced dogs in preparation to be partnered with an adult or child client and ensure that applicant own dogs have received this at the earliest opportunity.
• To maintain the ongoing public access training with any advanced dog in scent training that has been allocated to them.
• To liaise with Independent Contractors as relevant.
• To provide support to the Charity’s public relations and fundraising functions as required, specifically in your area.
• To act as the ‘contact’ person for the assistance dog programme in relation to training policy procedures with clients and their families, other professional service providers and members of the public.  This will include on-going research and development of the project.
• As required, to liaise and provide support for Volunteers of the Charity.

Other 

• Share best practice with colleagues across the charity.

• Any other duties or tasks that are required to ensure the successful running of the Medical Alert Assistance Dog Department and the Charity overall.

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• High level of preparation, organisational and co-ordination skills
• Strong and clear teaching and instructing skills
• Experience of running puppy classes, carrying out public access training and recall sessions
• Able to develop training plans for any dogs in training under your care
• High level of self-motivation and planning
• Approachable, calm and empathetic to children and adults with debilitating and life-threatening conditions
• Happy to travel alone within the UK to visit any clients as necessary
• Willing to be on call for partnerships as and when required
• Willing to stay away from home in local accommodation when client locations are too far to travel back home
• Happy and able to have Medical Alert Assistance Dogs in training reside in your home
• Good team player, but equally able to work independently
• Positive, empathetic and calm attitude
• Able to embrace a constantly evolving organisation
• Flexible

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE 

Essential 

• Previous Assistance Dog Instructing and Dog Training experience
• Knowledge of AD(UK) and ADI regulations
• Law in relation to dogs 
• Knowledge of medical conditions relevant to puppies between 8 weeks and 2 years of age
• Knowledge of dog and human psychology
• Proven evidence and experience of dog handling and training skills
• Previous experience of teaching and instructing
• Sound dog training and dog behaviour knowledge
• IT literacy and report writing skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Teams, Zoom and SharePoint
• Full UK driving licence
• Pass a DBS (CRB) check due to regular contact with children

Preferable  

• Knowledge of debilitating medical conditions and understanding of how they can impact people, both physically and psychologically, particularly when they are unstable and fluctuating
• Previous knowledge of odour/scent training
• Previous line management experience 

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES ​

• Strong and clear teaching and instructing skills 

• Approachable, calm and empathetic to children and adults with debilitating and life threatening conditions 

• Able to embrace a constantly evolving organisation

• You should be supportive of the charitable aims of Medical Detection Dogs and capable of working as part of a team, as well as able to motivate yourself

• You should be adaptable and positively embrace change by not only being flexible towards the ideas of others but also putting forward ideas to colleagues. This will involve creativity in problem solving and making appropriate responses to new ideas and unexpected situations

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• You should be supportive of the charitable aims of Medical Detection Dogs and capable of working as part of a team, as well as being able to motivate yourself.
• You should be adaptable and positively embrace change by not only being flexible towards the ideas of others but also putting forward ideas to colleagues. This will involve creativity in problem-solving and making appropriate responses to new ideas and unexpected situations.

DIVERITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION

We are a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive Charity. Medical Detection Dogs thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Charity Values

All employees are expected to uphold the charity’s core values in their daily work. This includes demonstrating respect through open and considerate communication, fostering cooperation by working collaboratively, maintaining honesty in all interactions and ensuring fairness through just and transparent decision-making.

Finally, the successful candidate will also be expected to: 

• Hold a full UK Driving Licence 

• Provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK. 

• Undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check 

• Work some evenings and weekends 

• Be willing to travel to the Centre based near Milton Keynes