Service manager volunteer jobs in Knottingley, west yorkshire

Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?   

Do you have experience of successful delivery of safeguarding strategies and initiatives?  

Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard through a profound commitment to safeguarding, protection and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults? 

Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.  

We have an exciting opportunity for a Designated Safeguarding Lead to join our team to Act as the expert organisational designated safeguarding lead (DSL) for all work 

covering children, young people (CYP) and adults in equal measure. Your role will be homebased but may require you to travel to locations such as hospitals and care homes nationally to meet with stakeholders; therefore, a suitable home internet connection is essential.

About us  

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.  

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.  

About you 

You will have at least 2 years’ experience of working as a Designated Safeguarding Lead with line management responsibility, developing, implementing and evaluating of CYP and Adult safeguarding policies, procedures, and training programmes, reflecting current legislation and best practices.You will also have demonstrable experience in leading, managing, influencing diverse teams on safeguarding, focusing on developing a positive culture and promoting continuous professional development. 

You should have experience in managing complex safeguarding cases, including conducting risk assessments, deciding on immediate actions, and coordinating with external agencies and key stakeholders. 

How will you make a difference? 

You will be called upon internally and/or by external bodies as a source of organisational expert knowledge. 

You will provide leadership and accountability for the advancement of safeguarding best 

practices. 

You will work resourcefully and collaboratively across agencies and adapt child protection systems to address risks in diverse social environments as part of a contextual safeguarding approach, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of young people, vulnerable groups and adults alike.

Benefits  

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service  

5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution  

Salary sacrifices pension scheme  

Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary)  

Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc  

24/7 Employee Assistance programme  

Access to remote counselling service  

Paid Disability Leave  

Paid compassionate Leave  

Home Working Allowance   

How are staff supported to work remotely?  

VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community.  

When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs).   

VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach.  

Equality and Diversity 

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential. 

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. 

About Action Duchenne 
Action Duchenne supports, empowers and equips every DMD community in their journey from diagnosis and beyond.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a muscle wasting condition for which there is no cure, but we journey alongside communities to empower them and provide information for them to make informed decisions. Action Duchenne has a team of passionate, supportive staff who are keen to do more for families living with Duchenne and has a number of staff with direct lived experience. 

At Action Duchenne, values are more than words—they shape how we work and interact every day. For this role, we are looking for a team member who can reflect our values: 

• Supportive – Actively assist colleagues and stakeholders, fostering a culture of collaboration and reliability. 

• Empathetic – Approach challenges with understanding, considering the impact on people internally and externally. 

• Respectful – Ensure all communications and decisions uphold dignity and fairness, especially when handling sensitive matters. 

• Community Focused – Make decisions that strengthen our community, ensuring all activity supports inclusive engagement and shared purpose. 

• Inclusive – Promote accessibility and equity, ensuring everyone feels valued and heard. 

The Events Officer will embody these values in every aspect of planning, delivering and evaluating events. 

What we offer: 

• 24-hour confidential Employee Assistance helpline 

• Private health insurance 

• Flexible hours 

• 5% employer pension contribution 

Main Purpose of the Role 
This new role aims to support the design, coordination and delivery of Action Duchenne’s events portfolio, including the Annual Community Summit, regional meetups, workshops, and online events. The role will ensure smooth operational delivery, high‑ quality participant experiences, accessible information, and effective logistics‑ and supplier coordination. 

This role contributes directly to our organisational impact by ensuring families, young people, professionals and partners have access to engaging, supportive and well managed events. This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who enjoys a challenge, is incredibly organised with excellent project management skills, close attention to detail, creativity and a passion for supporting every DMD community. 

 Specific Tasks 

1. Event Coordination and Logistics 

• Support the planning and delivery of the Annual Community Summit, working closely with the Chief Scientific Officer, Director of Fundraising and Communications, and wider team. 

• Coordinate logistics for in‑person and online events, including venue liaison, catering, accessibility arrangements, equipment, travel, accommodation and schedules. 

• Ensure event details are accurately published and updated across relevant platforms (website, CRM, communications channels). 

• Manage registration processes for all events and ensure attendees receive timely, accurate joining information. 

• Support the organisation of regional meet‑ups and workshops, ensuring venues, facilitators and resources are in place. 

2. Administration and Operational Delivery 

• Maintain clear and accurate administrative systems, including event checklists, timelines, risk assessments and evaluation forms. 

• Track planned expenditure and ensure costs align with budgets, escalating issues where necessary. 

• Prepare and maintain event collateral (slides, handouts, resources, signage), ensuring accessibility and brand consistency. 

• Provide administrative and practical support during events (both online and in person), including setting up webinar sessions and coordinating pre and post event meetings internally. 

3. Stakeholder and Supplier Management 

• Liaise with venues, suppliers, speakers, exhibitors and partners to ensure high quality event delivery. 

• Develop positive working relationships with internal colleagues to ensure a joined-up programme across support, communications and scientific teams. 

• Provide excellent customer service to participants, responding promptly and sensitively to enquiries, access requirements and logistical questions. 

4. Community and Engagement Support 

• Collaborate with Support Team colleagues to ensure events reflect community needs and priorities. 

• Support the promotion of events through the Communications Officer, ensuring timely provision of copy, event information and updates. 

• Encourage and support attendance from families, young people, professionals and community partners. 

5. Data Management, Monitoring and Evaluation 

• Ensure accurate data entry in CRM systems (eTapestry or similar) for attendee lists, engagement tracking and follow up actions. 

• Collect and analyse feedback, producing short evaluation summaries to inform future planning. 

• Track attendance, trends and logistical improvements, contributing to quarterly reporting. 

6. Risk, Compliance and Quality Assurance 

• Support event risk assessments and ensure compliance with safeguarding, accessibility and GDPR guidance. 

• Ensure that content and delivery meet Action Duchenne’s quality standards and reflect the needs of families affected by Duchenne. 

NB This is not an exhaustive list, the role holder will be asked to carry out additional tasks as required for the Team’s successful service delivery. Such tasks will always be reasonable and broadly in line with current knowledge levels and skill sets. 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 

• Event logistics prepared within agreed timelines 

• Accurate event information published and updated within required timeframes 

• Participant satisfaction and engagement measured through surveys 

• Conference and event attendance targets met 

• CRM data entry completed within 2 working days of events 

• Budget expenditure tracked monthly with minimal variance 

• Effective delivery of regional and online events aligned with pre-agreed schedule 

Person Specification 

Knowledge & Experience 

Essential

• Experience organising in person events from start to finish for over 300 attendees. 

• Experience liaising with suppliers, venues and speakers. 

• Experience with CRM/data entry, with close attention to detail. 

• Experience organising and hosting remote events. 

• Understanding of hybrid events. 

Desirable

• Experience in the charity sector. 

• Knowledge of Duchenne or similar life-limiting conditions. 

Skills & Abilities 

Essential

• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust, motivate teams and develop positive relationships with beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and external partners. 

• Understanding of the importance of safeguarding around events. 

• Exceptional communication skills. 

• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines. 

• Analytical and data literate, able to interpret performance data, identify trends, and use insight to drive improvement. 

• Skilled in problem solving, with a proactive, solutions focused approach. 

• Ability to be assertive while maintaining empathy, particularly when supporting teams dealing with emotionally complex situations. 

• Digital proficiency including Microsoft Office, CRM systems and digital communication tools. 

Attributes 

Essential

• Emotionally intelligent, reflective and able to manage sensitive issues with empathy and professionalism. 

• Values driven, compassionate and committed to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by long term or life-limiting conditions. 

• Resilient and adaptable, able to navigate complexity. 

• Creative, dynamic and innovative, with the ability to take ideas from concept to delivery. 

• Demonstrable commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. 

• Personally, and professionally, responsible with high standards of integrity and accountability. 

• A sense of humour and the ability to bring warmth and humanity to the role. 

Closing date: 25 May 2026 at 9am, with first round, online interviews aiming to take place in week commencing 8th June. 

Shine supports a community of over 15,000 members living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, including 5,000 children and young people (0–25).

You will be delivering high-quality support and creating opportunities for children and young people living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and their families/carers. Supporting Shine members to lead healthy, independent, and fulfilling lives by improving condition management and fostering connections within the Shine community. 

This role will focus on children and young people (0–25), you will be primarily working within the Children, Young People and Families team. However, there will be occasions when you will work across age groups to ensure the best outcomes for our members. 

The role is home-based but you will be required to attend regular clinics in London including GOSH (Great Ormond Street Hospital). Other travel across Southern England including Bristol, Devon and Hampshire may be required. There will be occasional travel required across wider areas and nationally including attendance at events, conferences and meetings at our head office in Peterborough. 

Benefits: 

• Competitive salary: Review due April 2027 

• Regular working hours, and no shift work (some very occasional weekends or evenings)   

• 3% pension contribution 

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with additional discretionary leave between Christmas and New Year 

• Additional annual leave awarded for ‘long service’ 

• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave 

• Broadband allowance for home-based roles 

• Life insurance after 12 months’ employment   

• Access to our Employee Support Programme and Mental Health First Aiders  

• Support to learn and develop  

How to apply  

Shine is a Disability Confident employer and will offer guaranteed interviews if a disabled applicant meets the minimum criteria for the job.  

If you would like to discuss the role please email Gill Valentine, Deputy CEO, to arrange a convenient time for a call.  

To apply please submit your CV and supporting statement, which should outline your interest and explain how you meet the role criteria.

*Please note applications without a supporting statement will not be accepted* 

We understand that you may wish to use AI tools to help you with some aspects of your application, but we do expect tailored applications which are personalised to your experiences and not generic applications which are completely AI generated. We encourage candidates to be transparent about AI usage in their applications.  

Closing date:  Monday 17th May 2026 at 11pm  

Interviews:  Tuesday 26th May 2026  (Virtual) 

Please note: we reserve the right to interview suitable candidates before the closing date, therefore we encourage applications as soon as possible.  

Please see full details on the Job Description and Person Specification document below and on our website.

You will provide appropriate emotional and practical 1-to-1 support to (those who identify as) women and non-binary people involved in sex work and those who are sexually exploited, who often experience stigma and face barriers to accessing services. This role will specifically focus on those who are experiencing DV, support will include addressing housing needs. You will be enabling people to access support and navigate services, You will be working in partnership with other agencies and making appropriate referrals for people to access other services to support their wider needs. You will contribute to wider team responsibilities including outreach, drop in and duty.

Youth Outreach Practitioner – South Yorkshire  

Salary: Up to £32k 

Hours: Full time 

Location: Sheffield or Doncaster

Contract: Permanent 

WE STAND FOR CHILDREN, THEIR CHILDHOODS AND THEIR FUTURES - WILL YOU? 

Around the world hundreds of thousands of children struggle to survive on the streets. In many countries, they have become an accepted issue in society, deprived of access to the most basic services and they experience extreme harm before and during their time on the streets.

Wherever they may be in the world, they face violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. 

Founded in 1996, Railway Children has dedicated over a quarter of a century to developing outstanding practice and services for street connected children. With projects in the UK, India and Tanzania, we aim to reach these children as soon as they are in danger and intervene before an abuser can.  As we embark on our new strategy to 2030, we have ambitious plans to ensure no child is left behind, wherever we work. 

The role 
We are looking for a Youth Outreach Practitioner for our South Yorkshire team and are keen to receive applications from those living in and around Sheffield or Doncaster.  You’ll be part of a dynamic team delivering Railway Children’s programme in the UK, in partnership with British Transport Police (BTP).  

As a Youth Outreach Practitioner, you’ll play a key role in keeping children safe from harm by engaging in patrols to identify and safeguard young people (aged 10-17) at risk of criminal and sexual exploitation, county lines, missing from home, homelessness or family breakdown.  

You will also work closely with our Youth Practitioner, supporting a number of young people who have been identified or referred for 1-1 direct support.

Both aspects of the role will involve working directly with young people and their families to reduce risks, as well as building strong relationships other social care, Police, third sector agencies and local services in the area.  

Your base would be at Sheffield or Doncaster Railway Station with regular travel between these stations plus Barnsley and Rotherham stations and working across these boroughs. This role does involve working regular unsociable hours including evenings and weekends.   

 About you 

You will have experience of successfully engaging and supporting young people and families as well as working in an outreach or similar setting, in a creative and engaging way with young people with a range of needs and vulnerabilities.    

A relevant qualification in an appropriate discipline in working with children and families, community or youth work or equivalent experience is desirable. Alongside this relevant training in safeguarding and/or issues relevant to vulnerable young people and families is essential.    

You will need to have experience of providing front line support to safeguard some of the most vulnerable young people in the UK.   

Experience of developing productive relationships/partnerships with a variety of organisations such as 3rd sector group, local services and statutory services such a social care to support the needs of vulnerable young people and families is a must.   

A full person specification can be found in the job pack.  

For further information about this post and working for Railway Children, including how to apply, please visit our website.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates with a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experience. 

Railway Children is committed to safeguarding anyone who comes into contact with us and implements a range of policies to ensure only those suitable to work with vulnerable groups are employed. 

Closing Date: Sunday 10th May at 5pm 
 
1st interviews are scheduled to take place on Wednesday 20th May 2026 
2nd interviews are scheduled to take place on Tuesday 2nd June 2026 

You will provide appropriate emotional and practical 1-to-1 support to (those who identify as) women and non-binary people involved in sex work and those who are sexually exploited, who often experience stigma and face barriers to accessing services. You will be enabling people to access support and navigate services,  You will be working in partnership with other agencies and making appropriate referrals for people to access other services to support their wider needs. You will contribute to wider team responsibilities including outreach, drop in and duty. 

To provide appropriate emotional and practical support to women in the sex industry and/or those who are being sexually exploited with a specific focus on those who are homeless and experiencing domestic violence and abuse. The women we support require intensive practical and emotional support as well as support navigating health and other social care or criminal justice systems. The women will have poor mental or physical health, experience with homelessness and of the criminal justice system, are often victims of sexual and/or domestic abuse and many are homeless. This post specifically will include a focus on domestic violence, sexual exploitation, sexual violence and housing. Working within a harm reduction ethos prioritising women’s safety and wellbeing, the intensive personalized supported will help women to access other services making appropriate referrals for women who wish to make changes, including exiting/transitioning out of sex work. You will be responsible for ensuring that women with varying needs are supported effectively throughout their pathway of support with Basis and partners, advocating for and with the women you are working with including where necessary challenging stigma and judgement women face.

This is an exciting opportunity to join GamCare as we continue to expand and develop our Online Support Services. To support this expansion, we are seeking an Online Support Team Leader to oversee and lead a growing remote team delivering vital digital support to individuals affected by gambling harm.

The role 

You will be responsible for overseeing the delivery and development of GamCare’s Online Support Services, which currently include online appointments, email support, chatrooms and forums, and a self-guided online support programme.

You will lead a remote team of Online Support Practitioners within the wider Helpline service, ensuring consistent, safe and effective support is delivered across all digital channels.

Key responsibilities 

·Managing the daily operational delivery of Online Support Services, ensuring high-quality support and adherence to agreed KPIs

·Providing line management for Online Support Practitioners, including supervision, team meetings, rota planning, and managing leave and cover

·Advocating for and promoting Online Support Services internally and externally to improve accessibility and awareness

·Supporting the ongoing reporting and evaluation of GamCare’s Online Services

·Identifying opportunities for service development and contributing to the design and implementation of improvements

About you 

This is a key leadership role for someone with experience delivering support services to vulnerable or complex individuals, alongside experience of supervising, coaching, mentoring or managing staff or volunteers. You will also bring a strong commitment to person-centred, non-judgemental practice.

You will be a confident communicator, comfortable working collaboratively across the Helpline service, and able to balance operational leadership with empathy, support and clear decision‑making – particularly when managing complex or high‑risk contacts.

Strong IT skills are essential, including experience working with digital platforms, CRM systems or call-handling tools.

About Us

Founded in 1997, GamCare is the leading provider of information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling harms. We operate the National Gambling Helpline, provide treatment for anyone who is harmed by gambling, create awareness about safer gambling and treatment, and encourage an effective approach to safer gambling within the gambling industry.

Benefits You Can Enjoy

·33 days basic annual leave entitlement per annum (pro-rated for part-time colleagues) including bank holidays which increases with service

·A generous Pension Scheme - we contribute 6% and you contribute 2%

·Discretionary company sick pay from day one of service

·Employee Assistance Programme – 24-hour support
For further details and to apply please click the apply button.

Closing date for applications: 10th May 2026.

This post requires a DBS check.

GamCare are committed to offering the best support to people affected by gambling harms, as such we welcome applications from candidates with lived experience.

GamCare is an equal opportunities employer and doesn’t discriminate based on race, religion, gender, age, sexuality, gender identification, or physical ability. We are only able to facilitate visa sponsorship in very limited circumstances, so candidates outside of the UK or who don’t have the right to work in the UK need not apply.

Job Description

Key responsibilities:

1. Events Marketing

• To oversee the scheduling, production and distribution of promotional e-mails for our events. Liaise with comms team to promote events across AvMA media platform To work on the development of the events pages on the new AvMA web site. Ensuring event web pages are kept up-to-date. To carry out data analysis and web analytics to determine what people are responding to and to highlight the areas we may need to focus/re-focus.

Events Logistics & Management

• In conjunction with the Head of Events, to undertake the production and organisation of events, including inviting and liaising with speakers and arranging event logistics. Effective liaison with speakers, ensuring they have all the information required to participate in the event and providing deadlines for receiving their presentation and biography. To work on site at events as required and run smaller events on your own. Duties will involve setting-up and administering registration, liaising with the venue, greeting speakers and exhibitors, dealing with enquiries from delegates and making sure the event runs smoothly. Production of the online conference documentation, to include speaker presentations.

Research & Event Development

• Help identify and research potential subject areas on which we may want to run events. Keep a close eye on the medico-legal events sector market and other events taking place. Help identify potential new sponsors and exhibitors for our events.

Events CRM

• Develop a sound understanding of AvMA’s new CRM, ensuring we optimise it for the efficient and effective marketing of events.
• To assist if/as required with bookings and booking queries for AvMA’s events.

Other

• To support the Events Department’s quality initiatives and to suggest continuing improvements where needs arise.
• To undertake other duties commensurate with the post as may be required.
• Deputise for the Head of Events when necessary 

Person Specification

Essential:

1. An understanding of, and commitment to, the values and objectives of AvMA.
2. Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop effective and positive working  relationships with a wide range of individuals and organisations.
3. Highly motivated self-starter with the ability to manage and prioritise workload and meet targets.
4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Confidence in liaising with speakers, sponsors and delegates.
5. Experience of organising events and on-site management of events, including in-person and online events/webinars.
6. Marketing copy writing ability, proof-reading skills, outstanding attention to detail.
7. Experience of using e-mail marketing platforms (e.g. Dot Digital) and social media to promote events and maintaining event web pages.
8. A high level of IT and digital literacy skills, including Office 365, Microsoft Dynamics and Adobe  In Design
9. Staying calm under pressure, a proactive and solutions focussed approach to problem-solving, ability to independently think on your feet.
10. Demonstrable commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Desirable:

• Experience of working within a charity.
• Experience of working in healthcare and legal sector events.
• Knowledge or experience of healthcare, the NHS or patient safety work.
• Understanding/experience of Search Engine Optimisation.

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy and numeracy levels amongst people in the criminal justice system?

We’ve made substantial progress in recent years, with improvements and expansions to our delivery model and significant growth in our staff team. In Spring 2026, we will launch our refreshed organisational strategy, which will shape our work over the next three years and beyond. To support this growth, we are recruiting for a full time National Director of Operations to lead our delivery across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and emerging community settings, with an ambition to reach Scotland. This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in scaling our impact and strengthening our presence across the criminal justice system and beyond.

As National Director of Operations, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for our learning programmes in prisons and community settings. You will ensure high‑quality, consistent and accessible delivery, overseeing a team of six Regional Managers and a wider workforce of around 65 staff, volunteers and over 2,000 peer mentors trained each year.

Working closely with senior colleagues, partner organisations and national bodies such as HMPPS, you will drive programme excellence, innovation and partnership working. You will also play a key role in new business development, operational strategy, contractual delivery and ensuring we can reliably demonstrate the impact of our work.

The role requires an experienced operational leader with a deep commitment to improving outcomes for people facing disadvantage. You will bring:

• Senior leadership experience in a complex, multi‑site environment.
• A track record of delivering large-scale programmes and leading distributed teams.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem‑solving and relationship‑building skills.
• Experience working with statutory bodies or large public-sector partners (e.g. HMPPS).
• Excellent judgement, communication skills and the ability to influence at all levels.
• Understanding of the criminal justice system, safeguarding, or alternative education environments (desirable).
• A collaborative, inclusive leadership style aligned with Shannon Trust’s values.

We want to hear from applicants who are as committed to the cause as we are.

This is a home-based role but will require travel around the UK including overnight stays. This role is 5 days per week (35 hours) with working days/hours to be mutually agreed in line with business needs.

Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, paid volunteering days, discounts via Reward Gateway and an Employee Assistance Programme. The biggest benefit though is our culture – our people really want to work for the organisation.

We welcome job applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and do not routinely ask for details of any criminal convictions. This role does require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.

Interviews, which will be held online, are planned for the w/c 18th May.

As an integral member of the fundraising team, the Fundraising Administrator will support the delivery of a range of successful fundraising activity based around the centre, in order to maximise income for Maggie’s.   

As Fundraising Administrator, you will welcome and support visitors within the centre in their fundraising for Maggie’s as well as in the local community and ensuring they are motivated, informed and supported.  

This is a demanding role in a fast-paced environment where priorities change frequently.  
 

There will be a requirement to work irregular hours as well as some local travel. 

Please see the attached job description for further details.

Please note that interviews will take place on Wednesday 20th May in Maggie's Yorkshire.

We are seeking an exceptional leader to be our next chief executive, leading a respected and influential membership organisation at the heart of a thriving grassroots movement.

You’ll be working to build on the success we’ve seen and strong position and voice we have established for ourselves and our members, as a leading force for inclusive and sustainable transport and communities.

You’ll bring an impressive track record in values-based leadership, a proven ability to engage and inspire grassroots change-makers, strategic partners and policy-makers, and a deep belief in the importance of community-led change towards a sustainable, equitable future.

About us

Community Rail Network is a national not-for-profit organisation, which is in the process of applying for charitable status, supporting a growing ‘community rail’ movement, which helps communities get the most from their railways, promotes sustainable and inclusive travel, coordinates volunteering and place-making, and brings people together.

Community rail is made up of 77 community-based organisations, and around 1,300 station volunteer groups and other community-led initiatives around Britain. Their activities range from creative projects for young people, to advising train operators on service improvements, to building travel confidence among marginalised groups, to biodiversity projects at stations, to promoting greener tourism by rail.

Our enthusiastic team of 24 works from home in dispersed locations, but we come together regularly in person and online. We work collaboratively to support members, provide training, events and resources, run campaigns, and champion community rail and its insights. We believe in helping everyone reach their potential while having a good work-life balance.

About this role, and your main responsibilities

Our current CEO is moving on after nine years in role, leaving the organisation, team and wider movement in a strong and empowered position to deliver on the next phase of our development.

Your opportunity is to lead the organisation, and to deliver on our new five-year strategy setting an ambitious course for the future during a period of major transformation for our railways and the wider transport system. You will ensure that we are:

• clear in our identity and our independence, and seen as thought leaders in our field;
• are supporting our members and stakeholders to meet their changing and diverse needs; and
• ensuring the financial and operational resilience of the organisation in an environment that is undergoing a period of rapid change.

As CEO, you will lead a passionate and experienced senior leadership team with three direct reports, while working closely with and reporting into our Board, key partners and funders, and ensuing an engaging, empowering, tenacious approach across all we do.

Advocacy of community rail and its benefits will be high on your agenda, and you will be working closely across multiple stakeholders including UK and devolved national governments, regional and local authorities as well as forging collaborative partnerships with like-minded organisations.

Maintaining our community-centric ethos, you will need to ensure we're effective in enabling members to unlock greater value from the railways at a grassroots level, while drawing on their insights to affect wider change. With hundreds of member groups and organisations across Britain delivering life-changing, place-enhancing work, you will have a solid foundation to build on, to take community rail forward and expand our impact in the years ahead.

Last, but not least, you will be responsible for ensuring the strong and effective governance of the organisation, modelling our governing principles, values and behaviours, and ensuring that we have robust financial and resource management in place.

Skills, competencies and qualities

1. Exceptional leadership skills, including a proven ability to lead, develop and grow third sector organisations or multi-faceted teams delivering complex activities, projects and campaigns;
2. Excellent communication and external leadership skills: articulate, assertive, with the ability to work diplomatically and persuasively with stakeholders at all levels;
3. Experienced in acting as the public face of an organisation, such as through the media, public speaking and high-level meetings, and using evidence and storytelling to articulate and champion a cause;
4. Politically astute, with knowledge of and commitment to social inclusion, social justice and sustainability, and a sound grasp of the importance of public transport, sustainable travel, and community-led action;
5. A proven ability to influence policy and decision-makers, and to identify influencing opportunities, ideally in relation to community development, sustainability and/or transport, including sharing community insights;
6. A strong track record in income generation and development, building strong funder relationships and delivery partnerships, managing programme or organisational budgets and controlling expenditure;
7. Experience of working with and/or reporting to a board, ideally in a not-for-profit and/or membership context;
8. An empowering, engaging approach to leadership, management and change-making;
9. Resilient, pragmatic and determined, with the ability to work under pressure, seize emergent opportunities, manage risk, and support others dealing with competing priorities.

Other information

The role will involve extensive travel within Britain as part of building your profile and that of the organisation with central and devolved government in Scotland and Wales, and increasingly with the devolved regions of England.

There is flexibility on location given the requirement to travel and that your office will be home-based. You will need to travel to in-person quarterly team meetings (usually in London or West Yorkshire) and to Board meetings which alternate between online and London. It is expected that travel will be by public transport and easy access to the rail network is therefore required to ensure journeys can be made sustainably. 

This is a full-time position, 37 hours per week. We use a flexi-time system with core hours 10am-3pm, and are committed to being a flexible, supportive and understanding employer. This is a permanent position with a probationary period of six months. 

Benefits: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising up to 30 days, plus Bank Holidays, in line with long service); pension with employer contribution of 7%; and access to Employee Assistance Programme.

Successful applicants will need to provide proof that they have the right to work in the UK and provide two references.

Community Rail Network is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and Black, Asian and other minoritised groups, who meet with the skills and competencies for this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments for interviews as required.

Location: Remote (Based in England & Wales with occasional travel required)

Salary: £24,479 - £25,360 pro rata (£9,792 - £10,144 actual)

Hours of work: 14 hours per week 

Contract type: Permanent

Why work for Kids Matter?

• Generous annual leave – 25 days (plus bank holidays) per year pro rata, with time off between Christmas and New Year's additional to this allowance.
• Remote working contribution – receive £26/month pro rata towards the costs of working from home and/or using a co-working space.
• Access to coaching sessions, training opportunities and our Employee Assistance Programme (a confidential support service for staff).
• Flexible working across weekdays to suit your schedule.

About us

Kids Matter is one of the UK’s fastest growing children’s charities.

Our vision is to see every child in need raised in a strong family. Our mission is to reduce the impact of poverty on children through community-based parenting programmes.

Research shows that group-based early intervention parenting groups are the most effective way to support children in need. We train peer facilitators in local churches - the largest voluntary body in the country - to run our affordable, accessible and highly effective parenting programmes, written by Clinical Psychologists. They come alongside parents and carers, building long-lasting community in addition to encouraging confidence and learning positive parenting skills.

We value difference and diversity, and we want our workplace to be built on shared values of equality and mutual trust, with team members representing the wide range of backgrounds and experiences that exist within the UK. We therefore actively encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds and varied experiences, particularly those who are African, Afro-Caribbean, Asian or part of other minority ethnic communities, who have lived experience of the impact of low-income/low-support circumstances, and who are living with a disability or identify as being neurodivergent.

About the role

The Accounts Assistant role involves:

• Processing day-to-day finances, ensuring all bank accounts and transactions are reconciled and coded correctly on Xero at month end.
• Ensuring all income is accurately processed and recorded on Xero and our CRM system (Beacon).
• Generating invoices as required, inputting into Xero, and chasing outstanding payments
• Overseeing and managing the expense card system (Volopa), topping up individual cards as required and processing payments
• Supporting the Finance Manager in the planning and production of accurate annual budgets.
• Supporting the Finance Manager with preparing documents required for annual audit.

About you

Are you organised with good attention to detail? Do you have booking training or experience? Are you a Christian with an active faith in Jesus? Do you have a passion for Kids Matter’s vision of seeing every child in need raised in a strong family?

Then we would love to hear from you!

How to apply

You can apply for the Accounts Assistant position by clicking ‘Apply via Website’ and completing a copy of our online application form.

The deadline for applications is Monday 25th May at 4pm. All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.

We also ask for all applicants to submit an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, which will be sent to you to complete following the submission of your application. This form will be used for anonymous analysis to ensure our overall recruitment procedures are fair and transparent. It will never be viewed or used as part of the selection process. It is optional to submit this form.

If you would like any application/interview support or you need any reasonable adjustments throughout the application process, or if you would like an informal phone call to ask questions or discuss the role, please contact Katie Washington (HR & Systems Manager).

Please see the job pack for more details on the role and application process.

Job Description

Job Title: Digital Content Officer – SEND

Responsible To: Senior Parent Adviser - SEND

Team Membership: Helpline/IAS- (Information, Advice and Family Support Directorate)

Hours: 14 hours a week  

Salary scale:

Scale point 26
£32,168.00 FTE
£12,867.20 – actual (14 hours a week) plus £26.00 a month home working allowance

Contract: Fixed – until 31 March 2027

Location: Home based - UK

Job Purpose:

To write engaging plain English website copy on SEND law and related education law matters in England.

To help ensure the provision of quality information, advice and support to parent carers.

Main Duties: 

 To write quality plain English copy for the Contact website.

To review, edit and update existing SEND and education related copy on the Contact website.

To work with the education helpline team to identify and prioritise the information and advice needs of parent advisers and parent carers.

To write and develop content to respond to common SEND and related education law concerns of parent carers.

To help ensure our information and advice reaches more families by working with the comms team to promote our IAS through social media, and digital channels.

To build positive working relationships with colleagues, contributing to a culture of mutual respect, trust, and shared responsibility.

To respect diverse experiences and perspectives within the team and contribute constructively to problem‑solving and decision‑making.

Demonstrates awareness of education legislation, statutory guidance, and good practice in England.

A commitment to the provision of quality information and advice.

 General duties

In common with all Contact staff, the post holder will be expected to work in accordance with the aims of Contact and to observe the policy and procedures set out by the directors of the charity.

The post holder will be expected to assist with any reasonable duty at the request of the line manager for the post.

Staff will be expected to attend and participate in Contact staff meetings and the staff annual conference.

Staff will be expected to attend training events relevant to their specific responsibilities.

Staff will be offered supervision, support and annual review s incorporating their training needs.

Salary: £35,668 – £39,005 pro rata
Hours: Part-time (21 hours per week)
Contract: Permanent
Location: Home-based (with regular travel across Brentwood Diocese)

About the role

CAFOD is looking for a Community Participation Coordinator to grow engagement across the Catholic community in Brentwood Diocese.

You’ll inspire and support volunteers, build strong relationships with parishes and clergy, and increase participation in CAFOD’s work to tackle poverty and injustice.

Working as part of a regional team, you’ll help deliver plans that drive volunteer engagement, fundraising, and community action.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver participation plans across Brentwood Diocese
• Recruit, support, and retain volunteers
• Build relationships with clergy and key diocesan stakeholders
• Support fundraising, campaigns, and community engagement
• Monitor activity and adapt plans based on insights

About you

• Experience working with and managing volunteers
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills
• Organised, proactive, and able to work independently
• Comfortable using data to track and improve performance
• Committed to the value of volunteering and social justice

Additional information

• Home-based with significant travel (access to a car required)
• Some evening/weekend work (TOIL provided)
• Part of a flexible regional team (occasional wider travel) 

The full job description is available on CAFOD's careers page 

CAFOD is a welcoming, supportive workplace committed to a safe, inclusive culture where everyone is respected. CAFOD will make reasonable adjustments at every stage of the recruitment process to ensure candidates with disabilities or individual needs are fully supported. 

Safeguarding for Children and Vulnerable Adults

CAFOD recognises the personal dignity and rights of children and vulnerable adults, towards whom it has a special responsibility and a duty of care and respect.  CAFOD, and all its staff and volunteers, undertake to do all in our power to create a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults and to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse.  CAFOD is committed to acting at all times in the best interests of children and vulnerable adults, seeing these interests as paramount.  Any candidate offered a job with CAFOD will be expected to adhere to CAFOD’s Safeguarding policy and sign CAFOD’s Code of Behaviour as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents. This post involves contact with children and young people and applicants will be subject to specific checks related to safeguarding issues. The post holder is required to present or obtain a Disclosure from the DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service). 

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, and appropriate screening checks can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. CAFOD also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of, and consent to, these recruitment procedures.