Journalist jobs in midsomer norton, bath and north east somerset
Assistant Communications Officer
Do you have experience working in a fast paced press office or communications team and are looking to take your next step? Are you skilled in juggling tasks and enjoy the buzz of a busy comms office? Mencap is recruiting for an Assistant Communications Officer - a vital role across our PR and social media teams, helping bring together our day to day work - this position is hugely varied with bags of opportunity to learn and grow in the role.
The role is full time (37.5 hours per week) with hybrid working at home and in the London Office. We know that work is something you do not just a place you go. At Mencap we give office-based colleagues and teams more flexibility about where the work is done.
About the role of Assistant Communications Officer:
- You will be supporting both the media team and wider communications team to help us reach as wide an audience as possible.
- Supporting the media team with day-to-day tasks such as writing and issuing the daily news summary, managing rotas, assisting with compiling monthly reports, take part in the team rota to be the first point of contact for media requests coming into the organisation - via press phone and media inbox.
- Supporting the media team with campaign press - writing press releases and creating social media content, pitching stories to journalists, setting up media interviews and writing briefing documents and work with the social media team to monitor our social channels and interact with followers where required.
You will be a crucial cog in ensuring the smooth running of the press office with:
· Strong organisation and time management skills to keep the team running efficiently and manage your varied workload.
· At least 1 years experience within communications.
· Have good initiative.
*This is not an exhaustive list of the role, please see the attached job description for more information.
This role closes on Wednesday 23rd July 2025 and first interviews will be Wednesday 30th July via Microsoft Teams.
At Mencap, we value a diverse and inclusive workplace and we intentionally plan for the success of our colleagues in everything we do. We welcome applications from everyone, so come as you are and join us. Together we are Mencap!
Benefits
Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.
Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.
For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team!
About Mencap
Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.
We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.
At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues.
Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere.
· Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation.
· Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes
· Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.
We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies.
We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The role: We’re looking for a talented and driven writer to tell compelling stories that touch hearts, change minds, communicate the importance of our work and inspire people to get involved.
With a proven track record of crafting inspiring narratives, you will gather and share the lived experience of road victims, to demonstrate the impact of road crashes and the difference Brake makes to families affected. You will source, research and write for different audiences to raise awareness of the solutions that we know can prevent road crashes and reduce death and injury.
You will write effective and powerful content to meet the needs of different functions, including fundraising materials, news and marketing bulletins, research reports, website features, and other publications.
About Brake: Brake is a renowned and respected road safety charity with a 30-year history dedicated to supporting people affected by road crashes and advocating for safer streets.
Why this role is important: Every 20 minutes, someone is killed or seriously injured on UK roads. For families affected, the emotional and practical challenges are immense. Brake provides trauma-informed care to individuals and families suffering from the sudden bereavement or life-altering injury of a loved one and campaigns tirelessly for positive change to prevent future collisions and save lives. This role will play a vital part in raising the profile of our work and effecting positive change for a safer future on our roads.
What we offer:
- A generous 35 days of annual leave (including bank holidays and 3-day end of year shutdown)
- Birthday day off
- Flexible working (choose a working pattern to suit you between the hours of 8am-6pm Mon-Fri)
- Enhanced sick pay and compassionate leave
- Death in service benefit
- Pension
- Employee Assistance Programme
- A rewarding role with purpose
- Be part of a skilled, friendly team with an engaged Board of Trustees
- Opportunity to attend prestigious events such as the Brake annual reception and awards (if you want to)
Who we're looking for
You will be a qualified journalist, a skilled and talented writer, with a minimum of four years of professional experience of working in a fast-paced newsroom or equivalent. You will be well-organised, interested in the UK charity sector and keen to work as part of a dedicated and creative team.
Essential Requirements:
· Excellent writing skills, with the ability to write engaging copy that conveys complex ideas to a range of diverse audiences.
· Skilled in interviewing with sensitivity, supporting the welfare of people sharing their stories with us, including those who have experienced trauma.
· Meticulous attention to detail and collaborative approach, helping us develop and deliver bold, compelling copy and connect with our audiences.
· Qualified journalist with a minimum of 4 years of experience working in a fast-paced newsroom or equivalent, writing a broad variety of engaging copy, working to tight deadlines.
· You will have a strong portfolio showcasing versatile writing skills across different formats. You’ll be able to demonstrate how you have adapted and nuanced copy for different audiences, across a range of content formats and subjects.
· Excellent organisational and project-management skills with the ability to prioritise a varied workload, working both proactively and reactively when required.
· Ability to work independently and in a team with a positive, problem-solving approach.
· Confidence and competence in utilising modern office, communications and IT skills in the Microsoft Office Suite as well as knowledge and skills to use content management systems and databases.
Desirable Experience:
· Experience working in the transport sector with a broad awareness of the political landscape relating to road safety and victim support and how it relates in practice
· Good knowledge of GDPR compliance and data protection best practice.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: Brake is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We’re committed to supporting employees to achieve a good work/life balance and flexible around caring commitments. We welcome your application whatever your background or situation. We particularly welcome applications from those who are part of the global majority, the LGBTQIA+ community or disabled. We are proud to be a disability confident employer. We don’t want you to ‘fit’ our culture, we want you to enrich it. So, if you have a passion for making a difference and share in our vision for a world where no one is killed on our roads, we would love to hear from you.
Apply now: If you're up for a new challenge and have the skills, apply now by sending your CV and cover letter. We'd like to get to know the real you through your application, not an AI version. If you do use AI to write your cover letter, please check it and make sure it reflects who you are. We encourage cover letters in alternative formats such as videos or presentations.
Not for traffic offenders: Due to the nature of our work we can't accept applications from traffic offenders. Candidates will be asked to disclose whether they have any unspent points on their licence at screening/interview.
Questions? If you would like to discuss the role further, please get in touch, we'd love to chat.
We're keen to get to know the real you. If you're more comfortable submitting your cover letter in an alternative format such as a short video we're happy to receive those.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
We work to stop road deaths and injuries, support people affected by road crashes and campaign for safe and healthy mobility for all.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Help us speak up for Scotland’s seas
Open Seas is a small, ambitious, and fast-growing environmental charity on a mission to protect and restore marine life around Scotland. We expose harmful practices, challenge bad policy, and work alongside fishers, communities and scientists to bring our seas back to life.
We’re looking for a dynamic Head of Communications to lead our external communications, shape compelling campaigns, and help us punch far above our weight.
Why join us?
We are a team of eight and we spend a lot of time out on the water and along the coast investigating damage, gathering evidence, filming, photographing, and engaging people face-to-face. We own a boat and do our own fieldwork. We take pride in turning complex science and policy into clear, motivating messages that cut through to media, decision-makers and the public.
You will work closely with our Director and Operations Lead as part of the senior management team bringing creative leadership and strategic direction to our comms team. This is your chance to help shape an organisation with growing public influence, strong legal wins, and a track record of impact in one of the most important environmental issues in Scotland, and the rest of the UK.
Who we’re looking for
We are looking for a natural storyteller and strategic thinker. You know how to land a headline, write a great campaign plan, and build lasting relationships with a range of people (journalists, supporters and other stakeholders). You will be comfortable translating science into tweets and research into narrative. You care deeply about nature, especially life under the waves.
You might have worked in campaigns, public affairs, journalism or the charity sector. You may have led a team, or be ready to step into a leadership role. Most of all, you want to make a difference.
What is the role?
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Lead all external communications across the organisation
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Develop and deliver bold, values-led campaign comms
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Manage and grow communications staff and freelancers
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Shape our digital presence, media strategy and brand
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Collaborate closely with our campaign, legal and research teams
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Help us grow our reach, profile and impact
What we offer
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A flexible, friendly and passionate team
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Opportunity to shape a growing organisation
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Meaningful work with real-world impact
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Time outdoors from field investigations to coastal storytelling
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Remote and flexible working, with travel across Scotland
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Supportive, collaborative environment with space to lead
To apply, please submit your CV and a short covering letter explaining why you’re the right fit for this role by 25/07/25
Please note we are unable to consider application without a covering letter
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities. If you’d like to chat informally before applying, please get in touch.
Registered Charity
6 - 10
We investigate threats to our seas, conduct research, and campaign for sustainable fisheries.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Unseen is working towards a world without slavery. We provide safehouses and support in the community for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery. We also run the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline and work with individuals, communities, businesses, governments, other charities, and statutory agencies to stamp out slavery for good.
Purpose of the role:
We are seeking a forward-thinking Business Communications & Marketing Manager to lead our strategic business communications and marketing initiatives with a clear focus on emerging technologies and AI. Working within a small, dynamic team, the Business Services Communications and Marketing Manager will play a pivotal role in creating and managing engaging, compelling, high impact communications across digital and print platforms to support critical growth. The postholder will need to remain adaptive to fast-paced tech advancements, whilst aligning tightly with the charity’s innovation-driven mission.
To apply:
- Please complete Unseen’s application form for the role which includes a personal statement of 500 words outlining your suitability for the role, some personal details and equal opportunities questions, and;
- Please send a copy of your CV to jobs @ unseenuk. org with reference to the job title.
The deadline for applications is midnight on 20 July 2025.
Interviews will likely be held during the weeks of 4 and 11 August 2025.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive the requisite number of applications. For this reason, we encourage interested candidates to apply early.
As an organisation focused on equality and diversity, we welcome applications from all sections of the community and all backgrounds, including those with a lived experience of modern slavery, those from ethnic minority groups, those with disabilities and those from the LGBTQ+ community.
Any questions, please contact jobs @ unseenuk. org.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
We are looking for a newly qualified solicitor or someone in the process of qualifying as a solicitor to join our Public Law team. This is a full-time role for a fixed term period of 12 months. You will be assisting one of the partners based in the Bristol office. You do not have to be based in Bristol and can be based in our London office but should be willing to travel to the Bristol office.
The role will be to assist in immigration, nationality, asylum- founded public law challenges. These include:
- appeal and review proceedings in the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) including an ongoing §40 BNA deprivation appeal.
- judicial review claims: unlawful immigration detention which requires understanding of deportation under the Immigration Act 1971 and UK Borders Act 2007 including of those with EUSS leave; trafficking public order disqualification claims; other immigration-related judicial reviews requiring understanding/knowledge of the workings of the Refugee Convention; ECHR; ECAT; legislation: BNA 1948 and 1981; Immigration Acts 1971, 2014 and 2016; NIAA 2002; UKBA 2007; NABA 2002; IMA 2023; immigration rules and guidance, including the test for further submissions under paragraph 353
- compensation claims: false imprisonment claims in the County Court which requires knowledge of immigration enforcement law and practice under legislation, Government policy and common law; historic discrimination claims arising from dated discriminatory nationality laws; and Windrush claims.
Applicants must have an understanding of the judicial review process under Part 54 CPR, including in the Upper Tribunal; familiarity with wider CPR and practice directions for the County Court or KBD claims; and SIAC rules.
Applicants that will be considered include NQ solicitors or those who have undertaken SQE exams and are in the process of qualifying as a solicitor in the next few months. Applicants should be accredited under IAAS at Level 2; or OISC level 3; or have worked in immigration practice, all with case-responsibility experience as this role will require you to run cases, albeit with supervision; and assist with ease on larger cases.
We know that diversity makes us a better law firm and helps us attract the best talent, drive innovation with diversity of thought, and deliver the best service to our clients. We recruit on the basis of merit, irrespective of age, disability, gender, gender identity, race or ethnicity, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation. We particularly welcome applicants from a minoritized background to apply for this role.
Details of the person specification can be found within the application form below, and the job description can be found here. DPGs aims and values can be found here.
Please quote the job reference 2025/10/BRSOL PL in the subject line of your email.
Closing date: 10.00am Friday 18th July 2025
Applications received after this time cannot be considered.
Interviews: Suitable candidates will be invited to attend a skills test and interview in the week commencing 28th July 2025
Please note that if you have not heard back from us by the week of the 10th of August, that your have not been selected to interview for the role. We thank you in advance for your application and would ask you to reapply in future if not successful this time.
Non Charity Employer
51 - 100
To create a financially sustainable firm that enables us to use the law to empower our clients to hold the state to account for its actions.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.