Mental health link workers jobs in East of england

Working within Baobab's welcoming and dynamic admin team in our Therapeutic Community, the Engagement and Administrative Assistant is a dual role. In your Admin assistant role you will provide comprehensive administrative support to operational, research and advocacy teams. In your Engagement Assistant role, you will lead on developing a successful programme of youth activities at the Baobab Centre (as Baobab Youth Activities Coordinator) and will focus on prioritising young people’s engagement in advocacy and research.

ABOUT GROWTH

GrowTH is a Christian charity in Tower Hamlets, working with local churches to house and empower people experiencing homelessness to start a new life. Through shelter, advocacy, and supported housing, we create environments where people are welcomed, listened to, and supported as part of a community. Our aim is not only to meet immediate needs, but to help each person rediscover their self-worth, unlock their potential, and encounter the transforming love of Jesus.

SUMMARY OF SUPPORT & HOUSING MANAGER

The Support & Housing Manager is a management role responsible for leading frontline staff, overseeing the quality of frontline support, and ensuring GrowTH’s Housing Project and wider support work operate safely, effectively, and in alignment with GrowTH’s purpose: enabling people experiencing homelessness to receive an excellent quality of holistic support in the practical, emotional, and social areas of their lives – as well as to encounter Jesus and experience genuine life transformation.

The role ensures that services not only function well operationally, but consistently deliver on GrowTH’s mission, promise to people, and values – supporting individuals to move from crisis towards stability, community, and restored identity.

ABOUT FRONTLINE SERVICES

GrowTH’s Frontline Services are:

1. Night Shelter (church based, rotating model)

2. Housing Project

GrowTH’s Frontline Staff currently are:

1. Night Shelter Advocate Workers (x2)

2. Housing Worker (x1)

As GrowTH develops its new Hub model, the Support & Housing Manager will play a key role in ensuring that the Night Shelter, Housing Project, and wider support functions operate as part of one joined-up pathway. Through effective management of frontline staff, the role will help create a culture in which staff are developed in their roles, work closely together, share insight appropriately, collaborate around complex cases, and ensure that guests and residents experience consistent support as they move between different parts of GrowTH’s work.

 RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Operational Oversight of Frontline Services

The S&HM will oversee the quality and consistency of support delivered across GrowTH’s frontline services, including support provided to Night Shelter guests through the Advocate Workers, while holding direct management responsibility for the effective running of the Housing Project.

1. The S&HM ensures frontline services consistently embody GrowTH’s promise by creating an environment where individuals are welcomed with dignity, experience belonging, are supported to move forward, and have opportunities to explore the Christian faith.

2. Managing the effective running of Frontline Services through monitoring the quality and consistency of support delivered by staff using the following: Line Management reports (monthly); statistics; casework files; support plans; move on plans; resettlement processes and regular calls to referral agencies and churches to gather feedback on GrowTH staff.

3. Manage and support frontline staff in resolving operational issues and practical service delivery challenges.

4. Holding a small, focused frontline caseload, alongside their wider management responsibilities. This will include direct casework with a limited number of guests and residents, particularly within the Housing Project, where additional management input, continuity of support, or more complex casework is required. The S&HM will also work alongside frontline staff on complex cases, support plans, move-on planning, key meetings, and periods of increased frontline need, modelling high-quality, relational, well-recorded and appropriately boundaried support. This casework involvement should also be used to model good practice, strengthen casework quality, and support the development of frontline staff in their roles.

5. Manage and support frontline staff to improve the quality and effectiveness of guest and resident move-on by:

o Monitoring referral levels into services

o Monitoring move-on pathways and move-on discussions

o Assist frontline staff in identifying system blockages (e.g. move-on, referrals) and facilitating solutions to unblock them.

6. Ensuring consistency and clarity in how frontline services operate

7. Ensure GrowTH accommodation is safe, well maintained, and compliant with all relevant requirements.

8. Ensuring appropriate boundaries and expectations are maintained

2. Overall Management and Oversight of the Housing Project

The Support & Housing Manager will hold overall responsibility for the safe, effective, and mission-aligned running of GrowTH’s Housing Project, which currently provides accommodation for 16 residents. Working closely with the Housing Worker, the S&HM will ensure that the project provides stable, affordable, well-managed accommodation alongside clear, tailored support that helps residents move towards independence, community, and long-term housing stability. Responsibilities include:

1. Providing overall day-to-day leadership and management of the Housing Project, ensuring it operates safely, consistently, and in line with GrowTH’s values, policies, and purpose.

2. Supporting and overseeing the Housing Worker in their work with residents, ensuring support plans, risk assessments, case records, move-on plans, and resident engagement are of a high standard.

3. Ensuring residents are welcomed, treated with dignity, and supported to make progress in practical, emotional, social, and spiritual areas of life.

4. Overseeing referrals into the Housing Project, including suitability discussions with the shelter/support team, referral partners, and prospective residents.

5. Ensuring that residents are appropriately inducted into the project, understand the expectations of their licence agreement, and are supported to sustain their placement well.

6. Monitoring rent, licence fee, service charge, arrears, and housing-related financial processes in liaison with the relevant administrative/finance staff, ensuring that residents are supported to keep payments up to date and that financial issues are addressed promptly.

7. Ensuring Housing Project properties are safe, well maintained, appropriately furnished, and compliant with relevant health and safety, fire safety, gas, electrical, and housing requirements.

8. Managing day-to-day operational relationships with key housing stakeholders, including landlords, housing associations, contractors, maintenance providers, and other relevant agencies, particularly in relation to repairs, lettings, inspections, safety checks, rent/service charge issues, property standards, and resident sustainment.

9. Ensuring that Housing Project policies, procedures, house expectations, and resident agreements are clear, up to date, implemented consistently, and reflect actual practice.

10. Overseeing resident support, including budgeting, benefits, employment, training, life skills, wellbeing, relationships, community engagement, and preparation for independent living.

11. Ensuring appropriate boundaries, accountability, and standards of behaviour are maintained within the Housing Project, responding to concerns, complaints, safeguarding issues, and breaches of expectations in line with GrowTH procedures.

12. Managing move-on planning for Housing Project residents, ensuring residents are supported to prepare for suitable accommodation and that links are developed with appropriate move-on providers and pathways.

13. Working with the Director to review and develop the Housing Project, identifying strengths, gaps, risks, opportunities for improvement, and future development needs.

3. Staff Leadership, Performance, and Development

Ensure frontline staff are supported, effective, and accountable. Responsibilities include:

1. Line management of frontline staff

2. Performance management and addressing challenges in service delivery

3. The S&HM will model and cultivate GrowTH’s values within the team, ensuring that staff:

a. Demonstrate compassion and consistency in their work

b. Follow through on commitments to guests and partners

c. Take responsibility for delivering high-quality support

d. Work collaboratively as part of a unified team

4. Supporting staff in decision-making, particularly with complex or challenging cases.

5. Ensuring staff receive appropriate training and development

6. Building a healthy, collaborative, and mission-focused team culture

4. Faith 

As part of a Christian organisation, the Support & Housing Manager will:

1. Contribute to maintaining a Christ-centred culture across frontline services

2. Support staff to create environments of Christian community, care, and hospitality

3. Ensure accessible opportunities for guests to explore the Christian faith

4. Encourage staff to integrate GrowTH’s Christian ethos into their work in a way that is authentic and non-coercive

5. Other responsibilities

These include:

1. Being an active member of GrowTH’s Senior Management Team

2. Ensuring that safeguarding is embedded across all frontline services.

3. Participating in complaint resolution where appropriate

4. Escalating issues where necessary in line with organisational procedures

5. Ensuring frontline service procedures reflect actual practice on the ground

6. Supporting development of operational processes (e.g. referral pathways, service flow)

7. Occasionally representing GrowTH in external conversations where appropriate

About Us

We are an environmental charity with science at our heart. We help people to take action to protect the nature around them; by connecting them with it and giving them the tools they need to do so. We passionately believe in citizen science and are leaders in it. Our current focus areas include helping to create nature-friendly urban spaces, growing the impact of internationally known citizen science programmes such as Freshwater Watch, developing early career scientists and sharing learning internationally, and working with partners to advance the science, tools and thinking behind citizen science.

What we are looking for

Earthwatch Europe is recruiting a Director of Science and Impact. We are looking for someone with a deep understanding of the pressures facing our natural world and how citizen science and community action can help address these challenges, using high quality data, knowledge and practical demonstration to influence governments and corporations.

You will have a background in citizen science and an in depth understanding of current and future environmental policy trends and priorities.  You will be an experienced leader with excellent interpersonal skills and a track record of successful relationship and partnership development at all levels. You will have strong project and budget management experience, and you will be an exceptional strategic thinker with the ability to create and deliver effective strategies and action plans

Please see the full job description attached.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; Earthwatch is unable to support visa applications. 

Earthwatch is committed to making any adjustments we can for short-listed candidates, to facilitate participation in our interview process. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS check and other due diligence checks, given the nature of this position within the charity.

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

Role Description

Working closely with colleagues and project partners, the Volunteer Manager will lead the recruitment, training, development and management of volunteers across the Cathedral and Abbey site as part of the Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The postholder will develop and implement a comprehensive volunteering strategy, ensuring volunteers are recruited safely, supported effectively and equipped with the skills to deliver a wide range of roles. The role will promote an inclusive volunteering culture, strengthen partnerships and ensure volunteers make a meaningful contribution to the Cathedral, the Abbey site and the wider heritage project.

About Our Volunteers

Volunteers are at the heart of Cathedral life and make an invaluable contribution to worship, welcome, learning, heritage, visitor engagement and events. Current volunteer opportunities are wide and varied, including Bell Ringers, Guides, Flower Arrangers, Shop Volunteers, Learning Volunteers, Sunday Morning Coffee Volunteers, St Ed's Singers, Gardeners, Young Families Volunteers, Servers, Events Volunteers, Vergers and Welcome and Information Volunteers. The Volunteer Manager will support these established teams while developing new opportunities as the Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project progresses.

Key Responsibilities

Volunteer Strategy and Leadership

• Develop, implement and review the Cathedral's Volunteering Strategy.
• Lead the development of a sustainable volunteer programme.
• Ensure volunteering reflects sector best practice and supports the Cathedral's strategic objectives.
• Build strong working relationships with volunteer team leaders and provide ongoing support and guidance.
• Act as the primary point of contact for volunteers.

Recruitment, Induction and Volunteer Management

• Lead the recruitment, induction and ongoing management of volunteers across a wide range of roles.
• Ensure all volunteer recruitment complies with Church of England Safer Recruitment principles, including references and DBS checks where required.
• Develop and maintain volunteer role descriptions in partnership with volunteer team leaders.
• Maintain an accurate volunteer database, matching volunteers' skills and interests with organisational needs.
• Produce, maintain and regularly review the Volunteer Handbook.
• Receive volunteer feedback, concerns and ideas, escalating issues where appropriate.

Training and Development

• Design, coordinate and deliver volunteer induction, training and ongoing development programmes.
• Identify opportunities for volunteers to develop new skills.
• Ensure safeguarding and mandatory training remains current and accurately recorded.
• Regularly review volunteer practices to maintain high standards of service and visitor experience.

Inclusion, Engagement and Communications

• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility throughout the volunteer programme.
• Develop recruitment approaches that encourage applications from underrepresented communities and remove barriers to participation.
• Implement an effective volunteer communications plan to keep volunteers informed, engaged and recognised.
• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications Manager to promote volunteering opportunities and celebrate volunteer achievements. Key Responsibilities

Partnership Working

• Work collaboratively with partners including English Heritage, Historic England, West Suffolk Council and local organisations to ensure a consistent and positive volunteer experience across the Cathedral, Abbey and wider heritage site.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with community organisations across the region.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Budget Management

• Collect, monitor and analyse volunteer data, including volunteer numbers, hours and feedback.
• Support project evaluation and reporting requirements for the Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project.
• Produce regular reports identifying trends, achievements and future opportunities.
• Prepare and manage the volunteer budget, monitoring expenditure and reporting against forecasts.

Visitor Experience

• Ensure volunteers contribute to an outstanding visitor experience for all users of the Cathedral, including worshippers, pilgrims, tourists and event attendees.
• Support volunteers in presenting a welcoming, professional and inclusive image of the Cathedral in all interactions with visitors and stakeholders.

General Responsibilities

• Demonstrate commitment to the Cathedral's values, mission and inclusive culture.
• Work collaboratively with clergy, staff, volunteers and the wider congregation.
• Comply with all organisational policies relating to safeguarding, health and safety, equality, data protection and other statutory requirements.
• Work flexibly, including occasional evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays. Time off in lieu will normally be provided, with overtime payable for agreed external events where applicable.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required by the Chief Operating Officer.

Person Specification

Essential Qualities

• Managing volunteers across a range of roles using recognised best practice.
• Developing and implementing volunteer strategies, policies and procedures.
• Recruiting, inducting, training and supporting volunteers.
• Working successfully with paid staff and volunteers. Monitoring, evaluating and reporting on projects or programmes.
• Developing partnerships with community organisations, charities or public bodies.
• Leading teams within a visitor-focused environment.
• Line management, partnership working and stakeholder engagement.
• Working with diverse communities and promoting inclusive participation.

Knowledge and skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Ability to influence, motivate and build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively within a heritage, commercial and place of worship environment.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

Personal Attributes

• Understanding of the Cathedral's role as a place of worship, welcome, heritage and community engagement.
• Flexible approach to working hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Collaborative, approachable and committed to excellent visitor and volunteer experiences.
• High Emotional Intelligence

Desirable Qualities

• Experience within a cathedral, church or heritage organisation.
• Background in heritage, tourism, hospitality or the cultural sector.
• Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• Awareness of the ministry, mission and civic role of the Church of England and its cathedrals

Job Title: Fundraising Manager

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £40,000

Hours per week: 28 hours 4 days per week

Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays (Pro Rota)

Role Description

The Senior Fundraising Manager will play a key strategic role in supporting the mission and ministry of St Edmundsbury Cathedral by developing and delivering a diverse range of fundraising activities, with a particular focus on Trusts and Foundations, major funding opportunities, donor stewardship and the growth of sustainable income.

Working closely with the senior leadership team, the role will identify and develop new funding opportunities, build strong relationships with Trusts and Foundations, and lead the preparation and submission of high-quality funding applications and reports. The postholder will also oversee the Cathedral’s Patron and donor relationships, legacy and regular giving activity, and provide strategic oversight of major fundraising events and initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Legacy and Appeals

• Support and develop the Cathedral’s legacy giving strategy, helping to encourage and secure gifts in wills.
• Work with colleagues and volunteers to develop appropriate legacy communications and stewardship activity.
• Provide strategic support for the delivery of fundraising appeals, including the biennial ‘Gift Day’.
• Review and evaluate fundraising appeals, identifying opportunities to improve engagement and income.

Trusts and Foundations

• Develop and implement a Trusts and Foundations fundraising strategy to increase income and diversify the Cathedral’s funding base.
• Research and identify new Trusts, Foundations and other institutional funding opportunities aligned with the Cathedral’s mission, ministry and strategic priorities.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective Trusts and Foundations, ensuring effective stewardship and ongoing engagement.
• Lead the development and submission of high-quality funding applications, working with colleagues across the Cathedral to gather relevant information, budgets, impact measures and supporting evidence.
• Maintain a comprehensive pipeline of funding opportunities, applications, deadlines and outcomes.
• Ensure funders receive timely, accurate and engaging updates on the impact of their support.
• Develop compelling cases for support and funding proposals for a range of projects and priorities.
• Support colleagues with grant applications where appropriate, providing guidance on funder requirements, application development and reporting.
• Monitor changes in the funding landscape and identify emerging opportunities for the Cathedral.

Donor Acknowledgement and CRM Management

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records in the fundraising CRM database, Donorfy, including donation history, communications and engagement activity.
• Ensure appropriate systems and processes are in place for effective donor stewardship and relationship management.
• Produce reports and analysis from Donorfy to support fundraising planning, decision-making and income monitoring.
• Ensure donors and Patrons are thanked and acknowledged appropriately and in a timely manner, including personal correspondence and letters from the Dean where appropriate.
• Use donor data and insight to identify opportunities for increased engagement, retention and income.

Planned and Regular Giving

• Work with the Planned Giving Committee to develop and implement a strategy for increasing regular giving.
• Develop communications that encourage supporters to become regular givers.

Patrons and Donors

• Manage and develop relationships with existing Patrons and key donors, ensuring high standards of engagement through regular communications, including e-newsletters, invitations and other appropriate engagement activities.
• Oversee the delivery of the Cathedral’s Patron events, including the Patrons’ Carol Service, Spring Trip and Summer Garden Party, working with colleagues to ensure events are delivered to a high standard.
• Monitor Patron membership, renewal dates and income, ensuring effective processes are in place for timely renewal communications.
• Work closely with the Finance Department to ensure Patron income and donations are accurately recorded and reconciled.
• Develop and implement strategies to grow the Cathedral’s Patron network and strengthen relationships with existing supporters.
• Identify opportunities to deepen donor engagement and develop supporters towards increased giving and longterm involvement with the Cathedral.

Major Fundraising Initiatives and Events

• Provide fundraising leadership and strategic oversight for major Cathedral fundraising initiatives and projects as required.
• Support the delivery team of the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn Project, providing fundraising expertise and advice as required.
• Oversee the fundraising strategy and income generation associated with major fundraising events, including the Grand Nave Autumn Ball, ensuring that events have clear fundraising objectives and deliver against agreed targets.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues responsible for event planning and delivery, providing strategic fundraising direction, supporter engagement and stewardship.
• Ensure that income and expenditure associated with fundraising events and initiatives are accurately recorded and monitored.
• Evaluate fundraising activity and provide recommendations to maximise future income and supporter engagement.

Strategy, Planning and Reporting

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Cathedral’s overall fundraising strategy and annual fundraising plans.
• Set and monitor fundraising targets across relevant income streams, providing regular updates to senior colleagues and relevant committees.
• Use fundraising data, research and analysis to identify opportunities for growth and inform strategic decisionmaking.
• Prepare reports for senior leadership, Trustees and relevant committees as required. Work collaboratively across the Cathedral to ensure fundraising opportunities are identified and developed effectively.
• Ensure all fundraising activity reflects the mission, values and ethos of St Edmundsbury Cathedral and is undertaken with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
• Ensure compliance with relevant fundraising regulations, GDPR and data protection requirements, and best practice in donor stewardship.
• Support and develop a culture of fundraising across the Cathedral, encouraging colleagues to recognise and maximise opportunities for philanthropic support.

Person Specification

Essential Qualities

Qualifications

• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in fundraising or a related field.

Experience

• Significant experience in fundraising or income generation roles, with a proven track record of securing income and meeting or exceeding fundraising targets.
• Proven experience of developing and managing relationships with Trusts and Foundations and other institutional funders.
• Demonstrable experience of researching funding opportunities and developing successful grant and funding applications.
• Experience of managing donor relationships and delivering effective stewardship and engagement programmes.
• Experience of developing and delivering fundraising strategies across a range of income streams.
• Experience of managing or overseeing fundraising campaigns, appeals or events.
• Experience of using fundraising data and CRM systems to support donor management, reporting and strategic decisionmaking.
• Experience of monitoring and reporting on restricted and unrestricted funding.
• Experience of preparing funding reports and ensuring compliance with funder requirements.

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of Trusts and Foundations fundraising and the wider fundraising landscape.
• Good understanding of a range of fundraising income streams, including individual giving, Trusts and Foundations, major donors, corporate and community fundraising.
• Knowledge of fundraising regulations, GDPR, data protection and ethical fundraising practices.
• Understanding of budgeting, financial planning and monitoring in relation to fundraising.
• Understanding of effective donor stewardship, cultivation and relationship management.
• Knowledge of the principles and importance of legacy and regular giving.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce compelling funding proposals, cases for support, reports and donor communications.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build credibility and maintain positive relationships with funders, donors, Patrons and colleagues.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to identify and assess new funding opportunities.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines and funding applications effectively.
• Ability to use data and insight to inform fundraising decisions, monitor performance and measure impact.
• Ability to manage and maintain accurate records using a CRM system such as Donorfy.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and influence colleagues to support fundraising objectives.
• Ability to oversee and provide strategic direction to fundraising activities and initiatives.

Personal Qualities

• Highly motivated, proactive and results-driven.
• Strategic and creative thinker, with the ability to identify and develop new fundraising opportunities.
• Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and take responsibility for delivering agreed objectives.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and build effective relationships across the organisation.
• Resilient, flexible and able to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure.
• Professional, trustworthy and committed to the highest standards of integrity and ethical fundraising.
• Commitment to the values and mission of St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
• Sensitive to the Cathedral’s core mission as a place of worship, outreach, welcome and care.
• Willingness to work varying hours for fundraising activities and functions, including occasional evenings and weekends, as required.

Desirable

Qualities Qualifications

• Relevant professional fundraising qualification, such as a qualification from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising.

Experience

• Experience of working with high-net-worth individuals, major donors or philanthropic supporters.
• Experience of securing significant gifts or grants from Trusts and Foundations.
• Experience of fundraising within the Church of England or another faith-based organisation.
• Experience of working in a heritage, cultural, charitable or not-for-profit organisation.
• Experience of overseeing fundraising events or major fundraising initiatives.

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of the funding landscape relevant to heritage, faith, community or charitable organisations.
• Experience of public speaking and presenting to donors, funders, committees or other stakeholders.
• Knowledge of legacy fundraising and planned giving.
• Experience of using Donorfy or a similar fundraising CRM system.