Lead youth engagement worker jobs in Manchester

About us

Wood Street Mission is a children’s charity helping children and families impacted by poverty in Manchester and Salford. 

We provide practical help to help meet children’s day-to-day needs and improve their life chances. We give clothes, bedding and baby equipment to struggling families, along with toys and books which are important for children’s wellbeing and development.

We support engagement in education by helping families with the costs of school uniform and run Book Roadshow events in schools to promote reading and improve children’s literacy. We work to raise awareness about child poverty and help thousands of children and their families every year.

We are looking to recruit a Grants and Trusts Fundraiser to join our growing team, as we take Wood Street Mission to the next level. You will be responsible for managing and delivering our Grants and Trusts income stream, developing long-term relationships with funders, and building on our small but successful track record. The Grants and Trusts Fundraiser is a pivotal role in helping us to accelerate our growth even further so we can help more children to thrive free from poverty.

The role is flexible between the office in Manchester and working from home.

Purpose of post

As the Grants and Trusts Fundraiser, you will be responsible for securing grants of varying sizes, translating the charity’s work across our five projects into compelling, high-quality applications for a range of audiences. Working collaboratively with the wider charity team, you will have a hands-on role in understanding our projects to ensure you can authentically convey our mission and our impact to funders. 

You will provide excellent care to existing and new supporters, ensuring reporting requirements are met and that funders are kept informed of how their support has enabled the charity to continue its work.

A key responsibility will be to contribute to and develop the Grants and Trusts fundraising plan. You will work to identify, secure and develop a robust pipeline of grant funders to maximise income and enable continued growth and sustainability of Wood Street Mission’s work. 

Main duties and responsibilities

1. To contribute to and develop the Grants and Trusts fundraising plan as agreed with the Fundraising Lead, to support the charity’s strategy

2. Meet agreed key performance indicators and to monitor and report on these targets

3. To keep up to date with funding policies and grant giving organisation news to inform the fundraising plan

4. To work closely with the Fundraising Lead and other members of the team to ensure a coordinated approach and excellent level of care for supporters, through appropriate and engaging communication methods

5. To research and develop new funders to support the achievement of fundraising targets

6. Frequently report on progress of Grants and Trusts fundraising to the Fundraising Lead

7. Work with the wider charity team to build a bank of individual stories and information for each of the five projects, to develop a Case for Support which can be adapted to different audiences

8. To work with the Fundraising Lead and the charity team to carry out a Full Cost Recovery exercise across all five projects, to provide a clear overview of the charity’s income and expenditure budget

9. Write comprehensive and persuasive applications to funders and prepare tailored presentations for a range of supporters

10. Build, nurture and account manage relationships with grant giving organisations, providing impact assessments, case studies and progress reports as required

11. Implement an effective stewardship process to maximise income and encourage long-term support, so funders feel appreciated and understand how their support has made an impact

12. Ensure grants are acknowledged promptly and reporting requirements are met within agreed timescales

13. To work alongside colleagues within the charity to identify potential grant funding opportunities and potential cross team working opportunities to ensure the charity maximises income across all income streams

14. Maintain up-to-date and accurate funder and volunteer records on the Beacon database, and to input data, donations and consent preferences, ensuring all data processing is GDPR compliant

15. To provide general administrative support to the Fundraising team

16. To represent Wood Street Mission as required at special events, and to proactively seek out new funding prospects and networking opportunities

17. To act as an ambassador for Wood Street Mission and promote the charity

18. To champion the Fundraising Regulator Code of Fundraising Practice, upholding a high standard of fundraising that is legal, open, honest and respectful 

Other areas and general work duties:

1. Work collaboratively on a daily basis with the wider charity team, including the Finance, Marketing, Administration and Project Development/Worker team

2. To support a safe working environment

3. To attend and participate constructively in staff meetings, supervision and appraisal

4. To implement Wood Street Mission policies and guidelines as set out in the staff handbook

5. To undertake training to develop knowledge, skills and confidence as agreed with your manager

6. To work flexibly and undertake such other work appropriate to the post as may be assigned by your manager. If evening and weekend event work may be required TOIL can be taken.

7. Other tasks and duties relevant to the role as required by the organisation

Personal Specification

Experience:

· Experience working in a fundraising or customer care environment

· Experience of working towards targets and with a wide range of stakeholders

· Experience of writing and developing funding applications, proposals and budgets

· Experience of delivering presentations to different audiences in a variety of settings

· Experience of using a CRM for data analysis and reporting

· Success in securing high-value trust and grants (Desired)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

· An excellent understanding of effective supporter care and stewardship

· A genuine interest in the issues of child poverty and an understanding of Wood Street Mission’s aims to tackle these issues

· Excellent interpersonal skills, capable of communicating with a diverse range of people with sensitivity, confidentiality and respect

· Excellent attention to detail, ability to keep clear and accurate records, and a desire to offer a high standard of service to our supporters

· Excellent organisation and time management skills, with an ability to work effectively under pressure and prioritise overlapping deadlines

· Excellent written and verbal skills, with the ability to communicate clearly with different audiences

· Excellent numeracy skills including the ability to track income, interpret accounts and present detailed financial information for supporters

· High IT proficiency with an excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Outlook and social media platforms

· Ability to work proactively and autonomously, using your own initiative to overcome challenges and problem-solve

· A good team player who can work collaboratively and alongside with the wider team and volunteers

· A self-motivated individual with a drive to achieve targets

· GCSE Level Education including Maths and English

· Excellent understanding of all aspects of fundraising and a commercial awareness of fundraising trends in the UK (Desired)

· Knowledge of charitable grant giving organisations, funding policies, data protection and fundraising best practice (Desired)

· A good working knowledge of the Code of Fundraising Practice and the Charities Act (Desired)

Our Time Charity is seeking an experienced Communications and Social Media Officer to strengthen our digital presence and amplify the voices of children affected by parental mental illness.

This role plays a central part in delivering our communications strategy by ensuring our message reaches families, professionals, funders and partners with clarity, creativity and purpose. You will manage our social media channels, develop engaging and accessible content, support campaign rollouts, and contribute to PR and stakeholder communications that challenge stigma and raise national awareness.

Working closely with the Communications Lead and the wider team, you’ll help shape and share stories that reflect lived experience, ensuring children feel seen, understood, and less alone, and that the wider system better understands the impact of parental mental health difficulties.

This role is ideal for someone with experience in communications, social media, or digital marketing within a charity or purpose-driven organisation who enjoys combining strategy with hands-on delivery, translating complex topics into compelling content, and using insights to grow reach and engagement.

To learn more about the role, responsibilities and how to apply, please download the full recruitment pack.

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records. There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Purpose of the post

The Research Officer will play a key role in supporting the scientific foundation, development, and coordination of AHS. The post holder will focus initially on supporting the development of the AHS pilot, contributing as required to methods selection, co-development of materials and assessment processes, writing of protocols and ethics submissions and preliminary testing of processes. Activities will involve conducting comprehensive literature reviews, supporting the development of piloting tools and protocols, engagement with schools, adolescents and parents, and addressing operational and logistical considerations necessary for successful delivery. The position is essential to ensuring the pilot and future study are grounded in robust evidence and implemented effectively.

Main responsibilities

Research & Evaluation

• Support in summarising existing evidence, and ongoing work with the research community, to identify insights and knowledge gaps that inform piloting and study research questions
• Support in conducting literature reviews and background research on determinants of adolescent health and identify tools and measures suitable for field-based assessment
• Contribute to the design and delivery of qualitative and/or quantitative research activities in support of study set-up
• Contribute to the design and delivery of public engagement and involvement activities

Piloting Design & Planning

• Contribute to developing piloting protocols and frameworks
• Assist in drafting documents for submission for ethical approval
• Help design, test and adapt measurement tools (e.g. questionnaires) and visit processes
• Support in the preparation of piloting recruitment materials
• Assist in the recruitment of, and relationship building with, schools for pre-testing

Data Collection & Fieldwork Support

• Support procurement of logistics for fieldwork
• Support in the preparation of field worker training materials
• Support training for data collectors and field staff
• Assist in data collection where required
• Be a part of a core team that ensures adherence to ethical standards and protocols

Piloting Coordination Support

• Support meetings and workshops on workstreams
• Support write-up of feasibility testing findings, and contribute to revisions on plans based on findings
• Support the senior study project manager as required on managing piloting timelines, risks and progress

Administrative and Logistical Support

• Take meeting minutes for the scientific study team as required
• Manage piloting documentation and version controls
• Respond to stakeholder queries as required

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential criteria

• A Masters degree in epidemiology, public health, social sciences, or a related discipline
• Demonstrable experience in supporting research studies, preferably in population and/or adolescent health.
• Ability to translate complex findings into clear, actionable insights
• Ability to synthesise literature and evidence concisely for reporting to diverse audiences
• Evidence of strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to contribute to protocols and ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Proven ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
•  Ability to form strong working relationships with colleagues, partners and stakeholders at all levels, both in person and virtually.

Desirable criteria

• A PhD in epidemiology, public health, social sciences, or a related discipline (completed or due to be submitted within 3 months of application)
• Prior experience of working on adolescent health, youth development, or related public health issues
• Experience of conducting and reporting on literature reviews
• Experience with Research Ethics Committee submissions
• Good knowledge of basic principles of ethical research
• Clear understanding of study designs (including piloting) and data collections tools, and their application in school settings
• Experience with the development, testing, or adaptation of research instruments (e.g. questionnaires)
• Experience of working with young people and/or schools (through research and/or public involvement)

Dimensions

• Full time role with flexible working arrangements
• AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK
• Flexible working will be required across several geographical locations in the UK.  Travel may be required to AHS locations, fieldwork sites and partner organisations

Application Process

This post is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and the post holder having the right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available). Please apply with a CV and a covering letter (of no more than two pages) explaining what you can bring to this role, and including your current salary.

The closing date for this position is EoD Sunday 08 March 2026.

Interviews are currently expected to be held during the week commencing 30 March 2026.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Beyond these protected characteristics, we acknowledge the importance of socio-economic background, childcare and caring responsibilities, educational background, neurodiversity, and any other factors that shape an individual’s identity and opportunities. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to contribute fully.

Values

It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration

Campaigns and Public Affairs Officer

We’re looking for a Campaigns and Public Affairs Officer to help turn insight, lived experience and evidence into powerful public campaigns that drive change for people affected by bowel cancer. You’ll play a hands-on role in delivering creative, inclusive campaigns that mobilise supporters, grow engagement and help people take meaningful action across the UK. Working closely with colleagues across policy, communications and fundraising, you’ll support the design and delivery of campaign actions, digital activity and events, while also contributing to our wider influencing work with decision-makers. This is a UK-wide role, with an initial focus on devolved nations, ideal for someone who’s passionate about campaigning, motivated by impact and excited to be part of a team pushing for earlier diagnosis and better care.

About Us

We’re the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. We’re determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. We support and fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care.  

We currently have around 95 staff based in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we’re in a privileged position to be able to grow our staff team to deliver our ambitious strategy, On a mission. There are huge challenges facing bowel cancer patients across the UK and our community needs us now more than ever. We’re building a strong and united team to bring us closer to a future where nobody dies of bowel cancer. 

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and at Bowel Cancer UK we are committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Successful candidates may be subject to either a satisfactory basic, standard or enhanced DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) dependent upon the role.

A rare chance to join an incredibly supportive and inclusive employer that values hard work, flexiblity and employee well-being, and recognised by the GM Good Employment Charter! We are a small but vastly experienced team of family support/volunteer Coordinators, delivering highly respected volunteer-led home visiting support to families in the early years. 

We are looking for someone to provide direct support to families and also recruit, train and support a team of local parent/carer volunteers who will provide weekly home visiting and community support to families.

You will work  with other professionals from universal and specialist services to provide a coordinated response to families’ needs. You will assess need and risk prior to carefully matching volunteers with families or offering direct support, working as part of multi agency support, ensuring information sharing and safeguarding is at the forefront of your work. This will include instigating Early Help assessments, preparing for and attending Child in Need and Child Protection meetings.

You will have an understanding of recruiting, carefully selecting and managing volunteers to ensure they feel supported and fully trained to offer effective support to families in order to get the best outcomes for the family and in particular the children. 

You will be experienced in working with families in their own home - skilled in recognising and responding to safeguarding concerns, be apt in completing strengths-based assessments and conversations and have a deep understanding of the issues families can face and the link with childhood development and difficulties they may experience later in life.