Independent mental health advocate jobs in East of england

£37,000 per annum.
Fixed term contract until 30th April 2027.
Happy to talk about flexible working such as part-time working or flexible working hours.
 
ABOUT US
 
Somebody goes missing in the UK every 90 seconds. Missing People exists to ease the heartache experienced by those missing someone, and to help people who are away from home find their way back to safety. Our vision is for every missing child, adult and family left behind to find help, hope and a safe way to reconnect. We are a non-judgemental, highly skilled team of staff and volunteers working for everyone who needs us. We provide free, confidential support, help and advice by phone, email, text and live chat.
 
Missing People’s Policy and Research Team is a small team with a big impact, both within the charity and externally. We aim to create local, regional and national change to improve the response to missing people. We work in an evidence-based way, centring the experiences of those who have been or are affected by missing. As the Policy and Public Affairs Manager, you will lead work to influence improvement in the response for missing children, adults and their families at a national and local level.
 
THE IMPACT YOU WILL HAVE
 
Make a national impact on the lives of missing children, adults and their families.
 
Joining our Policy and Research Team, you will help influence local and national policy, ensuring that the voices and experiences of missing people and their families are heard at the highest levels. Your work will directly shape how the UK understands and responds to missing people — and will help protect those at greatest risk of harm. You will learn from and work with people who have been missing, and people who have reported a loved one missing, to shape workplans and to call for change.
 
You will act as Co-Secretariat for the APPG for Missing Children and Adults, and build relationships with key stakeholders in government, parliament, the police and safeguarding agencies, finding ways to engage and motivate policy makers to better understand the issues affecting missing people and their families, and to make positive changes.
 
You will become expert in the issue of missing, including the risks that cause people to go and the harm they experience while away. This will also involve monitoring the policy landscape for opportunities to influence changes in the response to missing people, and provide expert insight and guidance to help shape improvement.
 
You will represent issues facing some of the most marginalised and vulnerable communities. This might include people who face sexual or criminal exploitation, people experiencing mental health problems or people who face discrimination in the response they receive from statutory services when they seek help in relation to the issue of missing, amongst others. This will sometimes include engaging with and challenging professionals in organisations and systems that exist with embedded discrimination.
 
ABOUT YOU
 
You will have:
 
• Right to work in the UK.
• Previous experience of working in a policy or public affairs role;
• Experience of successfully influencing change at a local and/or national level;
• Experience of building and maintaining relationships with politicians and other policymakers, including quickly building rapport and establishing trust;
• Experience of working with Parliamentarians in All Party Parliamentary Group/s
• Experience of sensitively representing complex issues in communications with professionals or the public, particularly issues which impact on marginalised people;
• An understanding of political systems across the UK and how to influence policy within those systems;
• Knowledge of missing or linked issues, for example mental health, care experience, exploitation, homelessness, or adult social care;
• Understanding of the experiences of marginalised communities and how to ensure that those who are marginalised are included and given the opportunity to influence change;
• Proven ability to communicate complex information in a clear manner to different audiences, including some information that might challenge existing perceptions and perspectives;
• Able to work autonomously, with proven ability to move projects forward when working independently.
 
WHAT WE OFFER
 
Working for Missing People means living our values. It’s a place where people are encouraged to ‘let fly’ so you can ‘make things happen’. We know you’re more than just a job title, and ‘be human’ is an important value here. Missing People is an independent charity that relies on donations.
 
For further details, please see attached job description/person specification and letter to applicants.
 
HOW TO APPLY
 
Please include your CV and a brief supporting statement that demonstrates how you are a good fit for this role. We look forward to receiving your application. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert early if we receive sufficient applications, so please apply promptly.
 
Closing date: 23:59 on 22 March 2026
Interviews: 30/31 March 2026
Start date: 28th April 2026
 
You may have experience of the following: Public Affairs Lead, Policy Manager, Policy and Advocacy Manager, Government Relations Manager, External Affairs Manager, Policy and Campaigns Manager, Political Engagement Manager, Stakeholder Engagement Lead, Public Policy Advisor.
 
REF-227 168

Are you passionate about working 1-to-1 with young prison-leavers from a variety of backgrounds; many of whom are from marginalised communities, to help them lead more stable, rewarding lives?

As a Switchback Mentor, you will play a vital role in transforming the lives of young prison-leavers, helping them break free from the justice system and build stable, rewarding futures. You will be responsible for building your own caseload by engaging directly with young men in prison and providing intensive support after their release. In addition to working with those you meet in prison; you will also support Trainees referred to the programme after they have already been released.

Once on the programme, you will maintain regular contact with Trainees, meeting face-to-face at least once a week to help them navigate the challenges of being recently released from prison and work towards their goals. Most importantly, you will do this in a way that reflects Switchback’s core values: putting Trainees at the heart of everything we do, setting high expectations, and building authentic, supportive relationships that enable lasting change.

It is essential that Mentors can confidently and professionally engage with all Trainees who meet the eligibility criteria for the Switchback programme, providing them with the support and guidance needed to move forward positively.

What you’ll get when you work for us:

Switchback takes the development of Mentors very seriously. Switchback Mentors are the drivers of our impact, and we will help to build your expertise as a practitioner through our in-house training in our unique change model. This is complemented by a comprehensive training and supervision package including: regular psychologically informed 1:1 clinical supervision and group reflective practice sessions and an annual, individualised training budget. You will also join a structured progression pathway which can provide opportunities to further develop management skills and technical expertise, informed by your own learning goals.

Switchback understands the challenges and complexities faced by the young people we work with. To ensure Mentors can provide the highest level of support, we intentionally keep caseloads low. This allows Mentors to dedicate the time and resources needed to build strong, meaningful relationships and offer Trainees the intensive, tailored support they need to make lasting change.

Join MSF UK in this exciting new role. The IT Project and Change Manager will

• Support the ambitious growth agenda for MSF UK and Ireland, which will be underpinned by the implementation of new technology.
• Work closely with stakeholders across the organisation to ensure we delivery value from our investment in technology.
• Work closely with the newly formed change team to ensure that silos are broken down, and new processes developed to support technology implementation.
• be confident in enabling change using technology. You will need considerable experience in using both agile and waterfall methodologies to implement projects.
• Engage with stakeholders at all levels and support project boards and sponsors to navigate through issues.
• Work in a dynamic and agile IT team that will support you to be successful.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Mon-Fri

Duration: Permanent

Location: London - hybrid, 2 days per week in office (including Wednesdays)

Salary: £52,866.48 per annum - £64,614.57 per annum | Salary is offered in line with our pay framework and typically starts at the entry point of the band. Salary increases are considered annually and are subject to our appraisal and performance review process.

Job Purpose:

To lead the delivery of IT projects coupled with managing the impact of the changes.

Provide business analysis expertise to identify and implement solutions, and act as a trusted business partner to ensure IT systems meet the needs of stakeholders.

This role combines project management, change management, business analysis, and strategic collaboration to deliver impactful results.

About Play for Progress

This is an exciting moment for Play for Progress (PFP) as we celebrate our 10th anniversary and reflect on a decade of creative, therapeutic and community-building work with young people navigating the asylum system. Play for Progress is a Croydon-based charity dedicated to supporting unaccompanied young people seeking asylum, aged between 14 and 25. Through creative engagement, education, therapeutic support and community-building, we provide a space where young people can access opportunities, develop their skills, and find the support they need to navigate the challenges of displacement.

Our mission is simple but profound: to ensure that every young person who comes to us has the community to survive, the space to heal, and the stability to thrive. We are a small, close-knit team driven by a deep commitment to the young people we serve — and we are looking for an Admin Support Officer who shares that commitment.

The Role

This is a vital role at the heart of our organisation. As Admin Support Officer, you will be the operational backbone of Play for Progress — keeping our systems running smoothly, supporting our team to do their best work, and ensuring that the young people and partners who engage with us experience a professional, warm and well-organised charity.

The role is  hands-on, varied and  touches every part of the organisation. You will need to be highly organised, proactive and adaptable — someone who takes real pride in getting the details right and who understands that good administration is what makes good work possible. A genuine commitment to our mission and values is essential.

Key Responsibilities

General Administration

• Provide day-to-day administrative support across the organisation, ensuring smooth and efficient operations

• Manage and maintain organisational filing systems — both digital and physical — ensuring documents are accurate, accessible and up to date

• Draft, proof-read and format a range of documents including letters, reports, meeting papers and internal communications

• Handle incoming and outgoing correspondence professionally and promptly, including post, email enquiries and phone calls

• Support the scheduling and coordination of internal meetings and workshops, including preparing agendas and taking minutes

• Support HR administration, including contracts, onboarding, and maintaining records.

• Oversee the DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) process for staff, ensuring compliance with safeguarding requirements.

• Maintain staff training records and track compliance with mandatory training.

• Assist in recruitment processes, including posting job descriptions, coordinating interviews, liaising with candidates and onboarding

Programme & Operations Support

• Maintain and update databases and records relating to young people, sessions and outcomes, ensuring compliance with GDPR and data protection requirements

• Assist with the collection and recording of monitoring and evaluation data to support impact reporting

• Assist with the coordination of half-term projects, events and external activities as required

TO SEE THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE CANDIDATE PACK

Who You Are

• Highly Organised: You love keeping things running smoothly and efficiently.

• Detail-Oriented: You ensure compliance, record-keeping, and processes are all in top shape.

• Proactive & Reliable: You anticipate challenges and take initiative to solve them.

• Social Media Savvy: You understand how to use digital platforms to communicate impact and engage audiences.

• Compassionate & Aligned with Our Values: You believe in the power of creativity, community, and care to support young people who have faced adversity.

• Tech-Savvy: Comfortable using administrative tools, HR platforms, and databases.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Experience in office management, administration, or HR support roles.

• Strong knowledge of HR processes, safeguarding, and compliance (DBS checks, training records, etc.).

• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Experience managing social media platforms for an organisation or project.

• Comfortable working independently and as part of a hybrid team.

Desirable

• Experience working in a charity, arts, or community organisation.

• Understanding of trauma-informed practice.

• Familiarity with Canva, Mailchimp, Square Space, InForm, scheduling tools, and content creation for social media.

What We Offer

• A flexible, supportive and genuinely values-driven working environment

• The chance to be part of an organisation doing vital and meaningful work with young people

• 20 days annual leave pro rata, plus bank holidays

• Pension - 5% contributory pension scheme with 3% employer contribution 

• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements

• Regular supervision and access to professional development opportunities

• A warm, diverse and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Play for Progress is an equal opportunities employer. We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, and particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities and from people with lived experience of the refugee or asylum journey. We believe that a team which reflects the diversity of the young people we support makes us stronger and more effective in our work.

If you require any adjustments to support you through the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

We are looking for an experienced events expert who can plan, deliver and evaluate a diverse portfolio of impactful, high-profile events designed to inspire, engage and mobilise current MSF supporters and recruit new ones.

The Events Manager will lead the strategic planning, delivery and evaluation of diverse portfolio of impactful, high-profile events designed to inspire, engage and mobilise current supporters and recruit new ones. 

The post-holder will ensure that events align with MSF UK’s mission and values, while maximising engagement, awareness and return on investment. 

They will play a pivotal role in fostering relationships with key stakeholders and driving MSF UK’s supporter engagement strategies forward. 

They will collaborate across departments, manage budgets, and provide actionable insights to continuously improve MSF UK's public engagement efforts. 

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week, Mon-Fri

Duration: Permanent

Location: London - hybrid, 2 days per week in office (including Wednesdays and Thursdays) 

Salary: £46,784.49 per annum - £57,181.04 per annum | Salary is offered in line with our pay framework and typically starts at the entry point of the band. Salary increases are considered annually and are subject to our appraisal and performance review process.