Purpose of project
The work should build on the previous State of The Sector report which was produced in 2020 and can be found here. This will be used to inform decision-making and new ways of working between the public sector and the VCFSE (voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise) sector.
Background
In 2020, there were over 2,700 charities registered with the Charity Commission as active in Somerset. While the majority are based within the county with a local remit, many others have a broader sphere of activity spreading beyond the county’s boundary. There are also hundreds of additional formal and informal or unregistered voluntary groups across the county.
Together, these make up the local VCFSE sector, performing an essential role in strengthening their communities and enriching individual lives. It is vitally important for the well-being of Somerset’s communities and residents, that the ‘health’ of the sector is monitored and understood. Throughout the Covid pandemic, and the cost of living crisis, these groups provided a lifeline of support and services to individuals within their communities, and they continue to do so. However, these organisations have been hard hit in recent times due to increasing demand and challenges around sustainability and capacity. It is more important than ever to understand the state of the sector and what it needs to grow, develop and thrive in Somerset.
Scope of work
Spark Somerset is committed to innovative and creative approaches to support our communities. We invite interested researchers to design and deliver a mixed-methods approach to the research which will likely include:
- Scoping: conduct an in-depth review of national and regional research; evaluate findings; compare, contrast & report on findings
- Survey: design, develop and administer an online survey which gathers evidence from a range of organisations across the sector (e.g. size, type, purpose); analyse, collate and report findings
- Interviews: recruit and conduct telephone/video/in-person interviews with a cross-representative sample of stakeholders
- Focus groups: recruit and conduct focus groups with a cross-representative sample of stakeholders
Deliverables
The researcher will be expected to:
- Produce a comprehensive report detailing results of the research, including recommendations (see the previous State of The Sector report, published in 2020)
- Produce an executive summary of the report along with an illustrative infographic
- Present the results of the research to the steering group
For further information about this opportunity and how to apply, please visit our website.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
For over 35 years Ethical Consumer (ECRA) has been the hub of the ethical consumer movement, helping consumers to shop ethically, campaigners to challenge corporate power and businesses to improve their supply chains. The role of the board is to help ECRA to meet its long term goals and to move its social purpose forward.
Board members meet quarterly to assess and advise on the progress that ECRA is making. Meetings normally last two hours. We also hold an annual strategy session to address issues chosen by the board. Board members may attend these meetings by zoom or in person (in Manchester) at their convenience. Travel expenses can be paid. Board members are paid £125 for each meeting attended during the year.
Board members may also be asked for opinions or for decisions by email in between meetings. Occasionally a special call to address a particular issue may be necessary too.
Members of our Board act as company directors. They are responsible for overall good governance of Ethical Consumer in accordance with the provisions of relevant legislation and guidance.
If you would like more information about the responsibilities of directors inside Ethical Consumer’s unique co-operative structure before applying please email us and ask for a copy of our Board Handbook.
We are particularly interesting in applications from people with the following skills/experience:
- Business, Co-operative development, Managing growth, Experience of a larger organisation
- Knowledge of HR, Sociocracy, DEI
- Campaigning and movement building/behaviour change
- Digital publishing and project, software development
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Fixed term maternity cover until 30th March 2025 (with possible extension)
Hours available: 21 hours per week (3 days)
Mind in Brighton and Hove empowers and supports people who have experience of mental health issues in Brighton and Hove and West Sussex. We are a Local Mind Affiliated to National Mind.
We are seeking to appoint a Mental Health Advice Worker for our busy and established service in Brighton and Hove. The role plays an essential part of our response to those people contacting us with their mental health enquiries and concerns.
You will responsible for offering a range of face to face and telephone mental health advice and information to people living in the city, including carers and family members who have contacted us with a mental health concern. The service also delivers awareness raising wellbeing workshops and community outreach as part of its delivery.
The role involves supporting people to identify strategies for looking after their own mental health wellbeing along with providing self-help information and resources.
You will require excellent communication skills, a track record of undertaking advice work and experience of successfully engaging and working with people with lived mental health experience. A commitment and understanding of the recovery model is essential.
In return, we offer a range of benefits including full induction, training and 29 days’ leave (pro rata) per year excluding bank holidays, 3% pension contribution and access to a 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme.
All successful applicants are subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.
For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button.
Closing date: 30th April 2024.
Successful candidates will be notified of interview details by 5pm on 3rd May 2024.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 7th May 2024 at 51 New England St, Brighton BN1 4GQ.
We are committed to equal opportunities, and we value diversity in our workforce and aim to recruit a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage applications from everyone irrespective of age, disability (including experience of living with mental health issues), gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity.