Community jobs in Oswestry, shropshire

Today, 12 children and young people will be diagnosed with cancer. We’ll stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.  ​

• Directorate: Innovation, Policy & Systems Change
• Reporting into: Associate Director of Research, Learning and Systems Change
• Colleagues reporting into role: No direct reports at present. However, coaching and managing of volunteers and/or consultants is expected. 
• Location: You can be home-based anywhere in the UK, with travel for meetings. You can also choose to work from our Bristol or London offices.
• Closing date: Monday 8 June at 12 midday
• Interview dates: Monday 15 June and Tuesday 16 June (please tell us in your application if you cannot attend interview on one of these days)

Change lives in a life-changing career

When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.

The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. And that impact can be felt by entire family. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer.

We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise well-being. And we stop at nothing to make their voices heard and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time.

About the role

We’re looking for a Head of Research & Evidence to join our ambitious Research, Learning & Systems Change Team. 

Young Lives vs Cancer has a strong and growing commitment to changing the system for children and young people with cancer, and their loved ones. Our North Star vision and Time is Now Strategy focus on influencing how the wider system works – from services and policy to practice on the ground – so that families get the support they need.

The Head of Research and Evidence sits in the Research, Learning & Systems Change team, within our Innovation, Policy & Systems Change Directorate. The role is responsible for ensuring our work is grounded in strong, credible and useful evidence, and that learning is actively used to shape decisions, practice and change across the system.

This is a leadership role within a small but ambitious team. You will set direction and provide thought leadership, but you will also be hands on – designing, commissioning, managing and using research alongside colleagues and partners.

Building trusted relationships and using evidence to influence thinking and action are central. You will work with colleagues, children and young people, families, and partner organisations (such as the North Star Cancer Collective) to learn, strengthen credibility and create change.

This role is subject to a Criminal Record Check. In the event of a successful application, a Basic Criminal Record Check will be completed. A previous conviction is not necessarily a barrier to employment. We encourage qualified applicants to apply, and we will consider each case individually.

What will I be doing?

No two days are the same at Young Lives vs Cancer. So, summarising your ‘day to day’ isn’t easy. You’ll work as part of a strong internal team, collaborating closely with colleagues across the organisation and with key external partners to generate, use and apply evidence that supports learning, influence and system change. Here are some of the main things you’ll be doing, but you’ll find more details in the job description and pack:

• You’ll be setting the direction for research and learning, leading a clear and purposeful research programme focused on the psychosocial experiences of children and young people with cancer. You’ll ensure research is high‑quality, ethical and impactful, including commissioning work with partners and contributing to research funding bids.

• You’ll be understanding needs and experiences to grow a strong, credible evidence base, building and using robust evidence on need, inequality, impact and progress to inform strategy, services, policy and system change. You’ll ensure children, young people and families meaningfully shape research and that insight is shared in clear, practical ways.

• You’ll be providing system insight and leadership, analysing how the system works, identifying trends and pressures, and using evidence to guide where change is most needed. You’ll build trusted relationships across the voluntary sector, NHS and research community, sharing learning and strengthening our credibility and influence.

• You’ll be turning learning into action and influence, helping teams apply research to real‑world practice and supporting testing, learning and improvement over time. You’ll put feedback and learning loops in place and assess how research‑informed change is affecting practice and outcomes.

What do I need? 

Diverse perspectives and unique skill sets are at the heart of Young Lives vs Cancer. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet the criteria and person specification fully. Your potential is what matters most to us, and we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment to help you develop.

The key skills we’re looking for in this role are:

• Experience leading and delivering research, including setting direction, choosing methods, commissioning or carrying out research, analysing data, and ensuring high quality and ethical practice.

• Strong research and analytical skills, with confidence working with both qualitative and quantitative data and evidence, and turning insight into practical action.

• Experience using evidence to support change, such as shaping strategy, influencing policy, improving services or supporting system change.

• Experience working across organisations, building trusted relationships with colleagues, partners, and where appropriate, children, young people and families.

• Ability to communicate complex research clearly and accessibly to different audiences, in writing and in conversation.

• A collaborative way of working, with strong people skills, curiosity and a learning mindset, and a clear commitment to equity, inclusion and anti‑oppressive practice.

What will I gain?

For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:

• Flexible working: we’re open to working hours outside of 9 - 5 and we can talk through your flexibility requirements at interview stage
• Well-being, Thinking & Growth Days: four days a year to to step back from the day-to-day and focus on your own learning and development
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Great family/caring leave entitlements
• Enhanced pension
• Access to our employee savings scheme

To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.

We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.

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 AI 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 tell us about your skills and experiences in your own voice.

Accessibility

We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.

To hear more about this role, please sign up to one of our informal drop in sessions taking place at 12:30pm on Tuesday 26th May and 17:30pm on Monday 01st June.

#ShowTheSalary #NonGraduatesWelcome

Money & Energy Adviser
FTE salary: £28,000 FTE
Pro rata salary: £18400 (23 hour week)
Home-based, with travel as required
23 hours per week
Fixed term maternity cover till 31 Dec 26 (subject to external funding)

About the role
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced welfare benefits advisor with a passion for sharing knowledge and supporting vulnerable people.

This post is providing maternity cover until 31 December 2026 – or until the early return of the substantive postholder.

With around 4 in 10 beneficiaries, we support seeking help with financial difficulties, this is a pivotal role for Kidney Care UK.

You will be working remotely providing income maximisation and energy advice and support for kidney patients in the UK, supporting them to achieve better financial security. Working closely with Patient Support & Advocacy Officers, provide informed and compassionate support to provide excellent outcomes for our beneficiaries.

Our external partners – British Gas Energy Trust have committed to fund our Money and Energy Service until March 2027. We anticipate confirmation by December 2026 whether funding will be extended beyond March 2027.

This role is made possible thanks to the support of British Gas Energy Trust.

About Kidney Care UK
Around 3.5 million people in the UK live with chronic kidney disease, and one million of them don’t know that they do.
Since 1975, Kidney Care UK has been at the forefront of supporting people with kidney disease. From our early days when we campaigned to introduce donor cards in the UK, we have worked hard to support and represent the interests of everyone affected by kidney disease.

About the Money & Energy Advice Service
The Money & Energy Advice Service (MEAS) provides information and support for welfare benefits and income maximisation and promotes awareness of efficient energy use. Working closely with Patient Support officers, MEAS provides specialist knowledge and directly supports clients to achieve sustainable financial outcomes. The service was established in 2023 with the support of British Gas Energy Trust and is embedded as a valued element of the many ways Kidney Care UK supports people affected by kidney failure.

What we offer
 

Working at Kidney Care UK is incredibly rewarding and you will see the life-changing impact that the charity has on kidney patients and their families:
• Flexi-time – we are flexible about start and finish times, and flexible about your location.
• Annual and Christmas leave – we offer 25 days annual leave for full time employees plus bank holidays. We also close for three days between Christmas and New Year, and you don’t need to take this from your annual leave allowance.
• Pension – you’ll be eligible for and auto-enrolled into a pension scheme where your employer will contribute 8% of your salary.
• Health cashback plan – ability to claim back a wide variety of routine medical treatments.
• Employee Assistance Programme – access to a wide variety of support including counselling, health resources and advice.
• Cycle2Work scheme

Join Addiction Family Support

Addiction Family Support is the leading UK-registered charity supporting adults affected or bereaved by a loved one's harmful use of alcohol, drugs, or gambling.

The role: Family Support Worker (Bereavement)

As a Family Support Worker at Addiction Family Support, you will be responsible for delivering a range of services to provide crucial emotional and practical assistance to individuals bereaved (and affected) by the loss of a loved one due to addiction. Through both individual and group support, you will offer a compassionate and understanding presence, helping people navigate grief and loss in a safe and supportive environment.

Our service delivery takes place via several methods, including taking calls on our telephone Helpline, responding to emails through our email service and delivering remote 5-Step Method informed intervention to individuals and groups via an online platform.

Working patterns are flexible and you may be expected to work on a rota basis, and we would hope to be able to offer more hours per week in time when funding allows it.

You will need to be confident in your ability to provide support via a variety of remote and digital platforms, being able to respond to immediate requests for support. You will be an active and involved member of our team and contribute to all aspects of our work to help us achieve our strategic goals and work towards achieving our vision.

Responsibilities:

• Offer empathetic and non-judgmental structured emotional and practical support to those affected by the bereavement of a loved one due to addiction (via a Helpline and 5-Step Method informed one to one and group support).
• Provide or signpost information, literature, and resources to help individuals and groups manage grief and cope with their situations.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate bereavement support group meetings, creating a safe space for participants to share their experiences and provide mutual support.
• Follow guidelines and safeguarding practices - ensuring safeguarding concerns are addressed promptly and signpost individuals to additional services where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records in line with GDPR and the charity’s policies. 

Ongoing support

As a Family Support Worker (Bereavement), you will have access to regular supervision and peer support, ensuring you feel confident and equipped in your role. Development opportunities are available to help you grow in your position and enhance the support you provide. 

 Join our team of change-makers

Are you ready to make a difference? We're on the lookout for a vibrant, enthusiastic, proactive and collaborative individual with the right skills and experience to become part of our incredible charity.

Be part of something special

Our clients' continuous positive feedback speaks volumes about the impact of our work, and we take immense pride in it. Emilia Fox, one of our dedicated Patrons, stands with us in our mission.

Join an award-winning journey

This is your chance to become part of an award-winning charity where every day is an opportunity to contribute to the greater good. If you're seeking a dynamic environment filled with compassionate individuals dedicated to creating positive change, we invite you to apply or reach out with any enquiries.

The deadline for submitting applications is 5.00pm on Friday 29 May 2026.

Interviews will be held w/c 8 June 2026.

Join Our Team: Principal Property Litigation Lawyer

We’re excited to welcome a new Principal Property Litigation Lawyer to join our Legal team.

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.

Working Hours & Location

This role follows 37 hours, Monday to Friday working pattern. The vacancy will be offered on a remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces as and when required. 

Role Overview

The Principal Property Litigation Lawyer leads the provision of legal advice and management of property-related disputes arising from the Trust’s operational and investment property portfolio.

Key Accountabilities:

• Main conduct of property law disputes across the Trust’s operational estate (e.g. title, trespass, boundary disputes, rights and easements, restrictive covenants, rights of support and claims for nuisance) with adjoining landowners, tenants and other stakeholders.
• Contributing to the management of legal risk on property law disputes arising in the context of the Trust’s engineering, estates, utilities and business boating activity.
• Assisting Senior Lawyers in providing strategic advice to Senior Managers and the Executive regarding litigation risk to the Trust’s  estate and assets in the context of the wider estate and asset management strategy and programme.
• Taking forward high value disputes (both as claimant and defendant) in relation to Trust asset and infrastructure responsibility, with other public and third sector infrastructure owners, in the context of retaining wall and embankments, bridges, harbour, flood defence, water resources, highways and reservoir responsibility.
• Supervision of Property Litigation Lawyer and Paralegal, close working with Trust Claims Manager and coordination of external legal support, including Counsel.
• Working with the Senior Litigation Lawyer on property litigation matters involving boating and mooring disputes.

About you

You are a qualified solicitor (or equivalent) with property litigation experience, able to lead complex, high-value disputes independently. Strong track record in managing legal risk, advising senior stakeholders, and collaborating with internal teams and external advisers, with a pragmatic approach and commitment to health and safety.

Skills & Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor (or equivalent) with a minimum of 10 years‘ property litigation law experience gained in private practice or in-house.
• Proven ability to take a lead on conducting a heavy caseload of major property litigation with minimal oversight.
• Experience of leading strategic discussions on legal risk at a senior level.
• Experience of supervision and coordination of legal and expert teams, including Counsel.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across all levels and disciplines within the Trust and with external legal advisers and to participate effectively in meetings.
• Comply with Canal & River Trust Health & Safety policy and defined standards, report incidents, accidents and near misses. Assess the risks and make adjustments to work methods where appropriate. Ensure all equipment (PPE, plant, materials etc.) is appropriate for the task. 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. 

What We Offer

We offer an annual salary of £55,000.