Literacy jobs

Role description:

The Bid Writer will be instrumental in driving ambitious income growth by creating compelling proposals, reports, and presentations that showcase the impact of Southampton Hospitals Charity’s work to engage both current and prospective high-value supporters (trusts and foundations, philanthropic individuals

and corporates).

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of high-quality cases for support, philanthropic proposals, update reports and presentations
• Build strong, trusted relationships with key stakeholders across University Hospital Southampton to develop compelling philanthropic asks and stewardship reports
• Work closely with the grants manager to ensure that proposals align to agreed grant priorities and funding decisions
• Translate complex information into clear, donor-friendly materials that are brand consistent and tailored to a high value audience
• Identify compelling and innovative ways to articulate and showcase the impact of Southampton Hospitals Charity, using powerful, persuasive writing to engage and inspire high-value audiences
• Work closely with the Director of Income Generation and Marketing to plan a portfolio of work managing different deadlines for review, sign off and submission
• Work closely with the fundraising team to ensure proposals and reports reflect the interests and motivations of supporters and prospective supporters.

Person Specification:

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience of writing successful funding proposals and grant applications
• Experience collaborating with key senior stakeholders to gather key information and data
• Experience creating visually appealing high value funding proposals and stewardship materials

Skills:

• Excellent writing skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
• Excellent organisational skills, able to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a busy environment
• A proactive approach to developing strong working relationships with internal colleagues and external stakeholders at all levels to ensure proposals and reports are delivered accurately and on time
• Ability to review, analyse, and interpret key information and data to inform accurate funding proposals and grant applications

Personal Qualities:

• Self-motivated, proactive and able to work effectively on own initiative
• Collaborative and relationship-led, with a strong team ethos
• Professional, reliable and highly organised
• Resilient and adaptable
• Passionate about improving patient outcomes and supporting NHS staff

Lead an organisation that transforms lives through literacy
Executive Director - Adult Literacy Trust
Time Commitment: 3-4 days per week
Location: Primarily home based, with regular meetings across London
Salary: £75,000 FTE (pro rata), plus pension and holiday entitlement

About Adult Literacy Trust
The Adult Literacy Trust (ALT) believes that reading is a right, not a privilege. Today, more than 8 million adults in the UK struggle with functional literacy, limiting their access to education, employment, independence and opportunity. ALT exists to change that.

Founded in 2021, ALT provides personalised, one to one reading support for disadvantaged adults across some of London's most deprived communities. Volunteer Reading Coaches help learners build confidence, unlock opportunities, and rewrite the narrative of their lives. Retention among learners and volunteers is exceptionally high, and demand for the programme continues to grow.

Why This Role Matters
As Executive Director, you will shape a charity with the potential to change many lives.

You will:
- Drive strategic growth by leading an exciting expansion that will see ALT scale its programme across London and beyond.
- Champion the cause nationally, raising ALT's profile and influencing the policy landscape around adult literacy.
- Strengthen organisational foundations to ensure robust governance, financial sustainability, and operational excellence.
- Build powerful partnerships with funders, adult learning providers, policymakers, and community organisations.
- Lead and empower a small, talented team - cultivating a culture of collaboration, commitment and learner centred impact.
- Amplify learner and volunteer voices by ensuring that those directly affected help shape our work.

What Makes This Opportunity Inspiring
- Improving literacy delivers life changing outcomes: employment, wellbeing, independence, confidence and community connection. Every adult who learns to read improves their own life chances and that of their family.
- ALT has a proven model, a solid funding base, excellent evaluation, a committed volunteer base, and a highly engaged Board (including trustees with lived experience).
- ALT is poised to expand rapidly and influence systemic change within the adult learning ecosystem.
- This role combines strategic leadership with hands on delivery. Perfect for someone who thrives in mission driven, entrepreneurial environments.

Ideal Candidate Profile
Skills and Experience
- Strategic leader with experience spanning operations, external affairs, and organisational growth.
- Proven fundraising track record, especially securing multi year grants; experience with major donors beneficial.
- Skilled relationship builder able to represent an organisation with credibility and warmth.
- Experience of financial management, governance, and compliance within a charity setting.
- Understanding of adult learning, literacy or education is desirable, but not essential.

Personal Attributes
- Visionary and adaptable, with strong strategic insight.
- Empathetic, collaborative and grounded in purpose.
- Excellent communicator, comfortable representing ALT publicly.
- Practical, hands on leader with a positive, solutions focused mindset.
- Deeply committed to equity, inclusion and community empowerment.

Recruitment Timeline
To ensure equitable access to information and uphold ALT's commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the charity will be hosting a Q&A webinar in place of individual informal calls with the Chair. We encourage all interested candidates to submit questions in advance, which will be addressed during the session. Please register your interest in attending this webinar on Wednesday 4th March 2026 and we will send you a link.

Application Deadline: 5pm Wednesday 18th March 2026
First Interviews: w/c 6th April 2026
Final Interviews: w/c 13th April 2026

How to Apply
Charity People Ltd is acting as a recruitment agency advisor to ALT on this appointment. Interested candidates are invited to submit a CV to Senior Appointments at Charity People and request a candidate pack in the first instance.

For an informal conversation about the role or if you have further questions prior to applying, please contact Fabrice Yala at Charity People

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so we can help make the application process work for you.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

One in 20 adults in the UK has never learnt to read at all. This can have a serious impact on their confidence and wellbeing, limiting access to training, employment, and everyday opportunities that many take for granted. Being unable to read as an adult can be isolating and dangerous, reinforces social inequality, restricts economic growth, and worsens intergenerational disadvantage - but it is never too late to learn.

Read Easy helps adults transform their lives by learning to read. It does this by supporting its growing network of locally run, volunteer-led affiliated groups that offer free, confidential, one-to-one reading coaching—both in person and online to adults - aged from 18-88. 

With its free, flexible, confidential approach, Read Easy encourages people who are too embarrassed to join a class to come forward for one-to-one support. Each new reader is provided with their own personal Reading Coach, so that they can learn in private and at their own pace. Learning to read transforms their lives in many other ways as well, including enabling them to support their children’s and grandchildren’s reading, and so transfers the benefits to the next generation.

There are currently 80 affiliated Read Easy groups across England, together involving more than a thousand volunteers. Read Easy UK is the registered charity and umbrella organisation which supports this network of affiliated volunteer groups and provides the structure, training and support to enable volunteers to establish groups in new areas.

As our Central Regional Adviser, your role would be to provide strategic leadership, guidance, and oversight to ensure that all volunteer groups consistently deliver high-quality services aligned with Read Easy UK’s strategy.

You will support local volunteer leaders to strengthen group performance, and foster collaboration across affiliated groups, so that that they deliver coaching to Readers with consistent quality, and a positive and worthwhile experience is had by all.

You will also find volunteers to ‘pioneer’ three new groups in the counties where there is no Read Easy presence in the East and West Midlands and East of England and provide them and our 29 existing groups and pioneers in the region, with high-quality support. Your quality support will ensure that they provide the same for their volunteers and new Readers. From meeting (mostly online) with Team Leaders to provide one to one support, and hosting online and annual in-person volunteer forums, to delivering presentations and occasional training for small groups of volunteers, this is a dynamic and rewarding role.

This is a home-based post requiring flexibility, some early evening working and occasional travel to visit groups. The role is available on either a full or part time basis (min 32 hours p/w, 85% of 37.5 hours p/w FTE).

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Live within one of the following areas: West Midlands (Defined as the 7 metropolitan boroughs of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton), Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire or Rutland;
• have been employed to work with volunteers for at least two years;
• have strong people management and interpersonal skills; excellent communication skills; and the confidence to run meetings and deliver presentations.

Salary & Benefits 

• Annual Salary £25,973 (85% FTE) - £30,385 (100% FTE)
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and Christmas closing and 2 days volunteering leave – pro-rata for part time roles
• Company sick pay to financially support you when you are unwell (above statutory upon completion of probationary period) 
• Support when extending your family – company parental and adoption pay (above statutory after 12 months service) 
• Access to RewardHub – which gives retail discounts and has a ‘Wellbeing Centre’ with tools, tips, recipes, workout videos and guides which will help you to reach your own wellbeing goals 
• Training and Development opportunities and resources – we are developing personal plans in this area to enhance employee experience and opportunity 
• A collaborative, creative and inspiring working environment full of committed and passionate employees and inspirational volunteers 

We strive to ensure our recruitment practices are fair, open, easy to access and as inclusive as possible. We aim to recruit a team which broadly reflect the local communities which we serve; to work with and learn from each other to continually improve the service we deliver to our Readers. Our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Group is actively promoting and advancing diversity and inclusion, ensuring a culture where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We welcome you to apply and be your authentic self.

When applying for a job with us, if an applicant has a disability covered by the definition outlined within the Equality Act 2010 and can show that they meet the ‘essential criteria’ described in the person specification for the role being applied for, they are guaranteed an interview for the job for which they are applying through our Disability Confident scheme.

If you need any support with your application, please contact us,

The closing date for this post is 10:00 Tuesday 3rd March 2026. Should you be shortlisted, the first round of interviews will take place online on Tuesday 10th March, with in-person interviews, being held in Birmingham, on Tuesday 17th March 2026. 

The successful candidate will be invited to meet the team on 15th April in Birmingham, should they be able to do so.

Safeena is the UK’s first Muslim Cancer Support Network. We are entering a pivotal phase of growth as we transition from a volunteer-led initiative into a professionally governed, nationally scalable charity.

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Transformation to lead this organisational step-change.

The Role

You will drive transformation across governance, systems, culture and delivery. Working closely with the Board and senior stakeholders, you will build the operational infrastructure required to scale Safeena’s three-pillar model:

• Patient-centred faith-sensitive support

• Healthcare navigation and advocacy

• Community awareness and stigma reduction

You will ensure Safeena becomes compliant, data-driven, financially sustainable and ready for national expansion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead organisational development, governance and risk management

• Embed safeguarding, GDPR and quality assurance systems

• Build and oversee operational systems (CRM, reporting, dashboards)

• Strengthen partnerships with NHS, mosques and community partners

• Support income generation and long-term sustainability

• Develop a high-performing, accountable culture

About You

You will bring:

• Proven experience delivering organisational transformation

• Strong governance, compliance and risk oversight expertise

• Experience building systems and infrastructure in a growing charity

• Financial literacy and strategic planning capability

• Exceptional stakeholder and partnership management skills

• A commitment to equity and culturally competent service delivery

Experience within the charity, health or community sector is desirable.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a nationally significant, faith-sensitive cancer support network addressing health inequalities across the UK.

INTERIM FUNDRAISING MANANGER

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Interim Fundraising Manager to use their knowledge and experience to cultivate new fundraising relationships, build a corporate partnerships pipeline from the ground up, and significantly increase individual giving and major donor income, whilst developing an engaging and effective supporter programme.

Benefits of working for Doorstep Library:

• Location: Hybrid (2 days in the Victoria office, 3 days remote), flexible working
• Hours: Full time – 35 hours (excluding lunch break), 6 month contract with potential to extend
• 25 days per annum, plus bank holidays and 3 days mandatory Christmas leave pro rata
• 6% pension Contributions
• Employee assistance programme
• Employee discount programme (BenefitHub)
• Salary sacrifice scheme

Doorstep Library is a community-focused literacy charity dedicated to bringing the gift of books and the joy of reading into the homes of families across London. With one in four 11-year-olds leaving primary school unable to read or write properly, the charity introduces young children (aged 0-11 years) to the pleasure and benefits of reading.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• Proven Fundraising Experience: Essential knowledge/experience of raising income via various fundraising methods with a particular focus on corporate fundraising and individual giving.
• Relationship Building Skills: Ability to establish and nurture new partnerships whilst developing effective stewardship and supporter engagement programme.
• Strategic Input: Enthusiasm to work closely with the CEO to develop income streams and implement fundraising strategies.
• Team Management Experience: Effective leadership with the ability to develop and mentor a small team.
• Team Player Mentality: A strong understanding of working within a small charity, demonstrating adaptability and a willingness to assist with tasks beyond the immediate job description.

Experience in children's charities, literacy, or education organisations would be highly beneficial.

Capitalising on the current "National Year of Reading" this is an excellent opportunity to join a highly supportive and collaborative organisation that makes a tangible difference in children's lives. You will be instrumental in shaping the future fundraising landscape of The Doorstep Library, contributing to a vital cause in a rewarding environment.

For more information, please contact Louise Portnall, Recruitment Consultant, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.
 
This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check, which will be carried out by the employer

Closing date: 10 March 2026

Applications are being reviewed by Charisma on a rolling basis, so please apply without delay to avoid disappointment.

Salary: £17.57 per hour
Hours: Various
Contract type: Bank
Location: Bristol Region (HMP Leyhill, HMP Ashfield, HMP Eastwood Park and HMP Bristol)
 
Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy levels amongst people in prison?
 
Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to provide peer-led learning programmes across a number of prisons. To ensure the continuation of our programmes during times of staff absence, we are now seeking to recruit a Prison Facilitator/Library Assistant on a bank working basis to work across the Bristol region (HMP Leyhill, HMP Ashfield, HMP Eastwood Park and HMP Bristol). Working closely with prisons and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust volunteers and mentors, this post will support with the delivery and development of our literacy and numeracy programme in the area, maximising opportunities for people in prison to learn to read.
 
You will have experience working within prison settings underpinned by the ability to build relationships quickly and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach. You will also have a willingness to travel, sometimes at short notice, to provide short or long term cover within the prisons in this area.
 
This role will be prison-based. This is a bank role and so the number of days to be worked will vary and are not guaranteed. Employee benefits include a company contribution to pension scheme of up to 5%, 30 days holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, 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. These roles do require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.
 
We reserve the right to withdraw this role early if it is filled internally
 
Closing date: 12th March 2026

Applications for this role will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be held before the closing date so early applications are encouraged.
 
REF-226 819

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 Director of People to help provide strategic people leadership to our growing team of staff and volunteers.

In this pivotal leadership role, you will shape and deliver our People and Culture strategy, ensuring an inclusive, values‑driven and high‑performing environment for our people. You will lead organisation‑wide strategic workforce planning, oversee the full employee lifecycle, and champion initiatives that strengthen engagement, wellbeing and belonging. As a core member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will advise on all workforce matters, drive leadership development, and support our managers to build capability and confidence. You will ensure our HR, volunteering and people operations run smoothly and efficiently, modernising processes and maintaining compliance with employment law, safeguarding requirements and best practice. You will also provide strategic oversight of EDIB work, reward and recognition frameworks, and organisational risk, while leading a dedicated team covering HR, learning and development, and volunteering.

The role requires excellent communication and organisational skills, strong knowledge of employment law, the ability to coach and influence senior leaders, and the capacity to work autonomously while managing multiple priorities effectively. You must be IT literate, with a good working knowledge of the commonly used Microsoft business tools, and be able to work independently. The role calls for a hands-on, collaborative, people‑centred leader with strong emotional intelligence, an inclusive and values‑driven mindset, and the ability to think strategically while remaining performance‑focused and learner‑centred.

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

This is a home-based role but may require occasional 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.

Interviews, which will be held online, will take place on 31st March and 1st April 2026

Acting as a flexible and agile digital engagement expert, you will design, deliver and optimise multi-channel engagement strategies and supporter journeys that shift online narratives, recruit and grow our supporter base, and convert online engagement into real world action to help Greenpeace win campaigns.

Greenpeace is an international network of non profit campaigning organisations operating in over 55 countries. Our independence and global reach enable us to stand for positive change through action in order to defend nature and promote peace. We investigate and expose global environmental problems, confront those in positions of power and present alternative solutions.

You’ll translate campaign and communication objectives into digital engagement plans, which you will then deliver with support from content creators. In doing so, you’ll foster a culture of continuous testing and optimisation, using data, insights and technical understanding to identify opportunities for strategic innovation.

 In a typical week you could:

• Draft a multi-channel digital engagement plan and supporter journey for an upcoming campaign
• Write, build and send supporter emails and petition to Greenpeace's supporter database
• Brief a social media content creator on the campaign and help brainstorm ideas for content
• Respond rapidly to a media story, crafting and deploying timely email communications that mobilise supporters to take action.

You'll have                                                                                                                                             

• Proven experience developing and implementing digital engagement strategies focused on recruiting and mobilising new supporters.
• A good grasp of whole-funnel supporter journeys, with proven ability to design and build digital pathways that move audiences from initial engagement to deeper commitment.
• Hands-on experience with digital engagement tactics and tools (online petitions, email actions, fundraising appeals, landing pages, advocacy platforms).
• Good data literacy, with proven ability to analyse digital performance data, derive actionable insights, and apply them to optimise campaigns and journeys.
• Experience in A/B testing, multivariate testing and optimisation methodologies, and using analytics tools to track, measure and report campaign performance.
• Practical experience with CMS, email marketing platforms and online advocacy tools

We give you

You’ll be encouraged to develop both personally and professionally, taking advantage of the wide range of learning and development opportunities available to our staff. We offer great benefits such as a generous pension scheme, subsidised lunches, free yoga and a wealth of well-being resources, just to name a few. Take a look at our Work for Greenpeace pages to find out more about what it’s like to work for us and why you should apply.

Our commitment to diversity
Greenpeace UK is committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background. We acknowledge that people from certain backgrounds are under-represented in environmental and campaigning organisations and we’re committed to doing what we can to correct this. We are particularly keen to receive applications from people of colour; people with disabilities; people who identify as being LGBTQIA; people who have a mental health condition; and people who identify as working class now or in the past.

Closing date: 9am on Monday 16 March 2026. Interviews are expected to take place on 26th and 27th March 2026.

Background

The Caerlow Trust (“the Trust”) is a family-led discretionary grant-making trust, governed by four trustees (the Board) that aims to alleviate poverty-related suffering in the United Kingdom.

The Trust’s operating principles are rooted in the basic belief that everyone deserves to have access to sufficient resources such that they are not concerned with day-to-day survival. It aims to achieve this by making grants targeting three main pillars of work: hunger, homelessness, and addiction.

Based in London, the Trust’s founders hope to make significant and meaningful change in the social landscape of London but also to grow to have a nationwide focus over time. The ambition is for the Trust to develop rapidly to become a versatile and flexible organisation that will have a very real impact and make a difference to the lives of the people supported through its grants. 

The Grants Manager will join our small but expanding team at an exciting time, having an important part to play in turning this ambition into reality.

Role overview and purpose

The Grants Manager will provide a range of services that will be key to the Trust’s grant management cycle including research,  assessment, database management and development, reporting and evaluation. They will be the key contact for a portfolio of grant applicants and recipients, to support them throughout their relationship with the Trust.

Key responsibilities

Grants Management:

· Managing a portfolio of grants throughout the entire grant cycle including assessment, award, support, monitoring and learning

· Act as the key contact for grant applicants and recipients, developing positive and supportive working relationships

· Organising and holding meetings with grantees, including taking notes and following up on actions

· Administrative tasks relating to grants, including correspondence, drafting and issuing agreements, tracking of applications, reports and payments

· Undertaking scoping work and research about organisations that may be appropriate for funding

· Reviewing grant applications, undertaking assessments and completing due diligence checks

· Drafting summaries and papers to support Trustees to make informed decisions  

· Reviewing grantee reports to evaluate progress and ensure compliance with any grant conditions

· Support budget management, financial reporting, cashflow monitoring and compliance with charity regulations in relation to grants

· Provide project management for new activities or grant programmes

· Working with colleagues and grantees to develop the Trust’s impact reporting capabilities

Database and system management

· Support the development and maintenance of our systems and grant management database, Beacon

· Ensure all data is accurate, kept up to date and retained in line with data protection regulations

· Provide support and guidance to grant applicants to access and use the grant application portal

· Provide support and guidance to Trustees and other external evaluators to use Beacon portal

Other responsibilities

· To represent the Trust at external events

· To support ongoing improvement in the context of grant-making and organisational development

· To role model desired behaviours in line with the Trust’s values

· Provide other ad hoc support to the Director as needed

Key internal relationships and reporting lines

· Receives line management and development from the Director

· Works closely with other colleagues and volunteers as part of an small effective team

This role doesn’t currently have any line management responsibilities but it is likely to in the future as the Trust grows.

Person specification

Knowledge and experience:

· Knowledge and understanding of the issues being supported by the Trust, developed through work or study in a relevant field or through lived experience

· Knowledge of charity finance, governance best practice, impact measurement and evaluation

· Experience of the grant management cycle

· High level of literacy and numeracy, including experience of handling and analysing qualitative and quantitative data

· High level of IT literacy with experience of working with MS365 applications and CRM databases

· Experience of liaising with a range of different stakeholders

 

Key skills and abilities:

· Outstanding communications skills with excellent written and spoken English

· Excellent interpersonal skills

· Attention to detail and commitment to quality

· Strong administrative, planning and organising skills

· Ability to work on your own and use initiative but knows when to seek advice and guidance

· Ability to identify improvements and propose solutions

· Collaborative and proactive approach to supporting others in a small team

Personal qualities:

· Commitment to the vision, mission and values of the Trust

· Dedication to the charity sector and the specific issues that are being addressed by the Trust

· Commitment to respect and value equality and diversity and inclusion

· Enthusiasm for continuing personal and professional development

· Good judgment and integrity

· Self-aware and empathetic

· Appreciative of the joy of grant making and sense of humour

· Adaptable and flexible, happy to work in an evolving and rapidly growing organisation

 

Other requirements

The Caerlow Trust is only able to consider applications from candidates who already have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom.

The Grants Manager will be required to travel across the UK as part of their role.

 

Working for the Trust

The Trust is committed to organisational and staff development. We offer various opportunities for staff to learn and develop, with management who are devoted to coaching and development. We encourage staff to attend events such as conferences, expert and donor meetings, to keep abreast of the developments in our areas of focus. The Trust is committed to being a good practice employer. We offer flexible working arrangements and a wide range of staff benefits.

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)

Location: HMP Leeds
Department: Prison delivery
Salary: £29,264
Hours: Full time (35 hours)
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
 
Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy levels amongst people in prison?
 
Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to provide peer-led learning programmes at HMP Leeds. Working closely with the prison and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust volunteers and mentors, this post will lead the delivery and development of our prison-based reading and numeracy programme, maximising opportunities for people in prison to learn to read.
 
Ideally you will have some experience of prison settings underpinned by the ability to build relationships and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach.
 
This role is a fixed term role until 31/03/2027 with the opportunity to be made permanent subject to contract renewal.
 
The role will be prison-based. 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. These roles do require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.
 
Please note this role is subject to contract award.
 
We reserve the right to withdraw this role early if it is filled internally
?Interviews are planned for week commencing 02/03/2026
 
Benefits: Standard Shannon Trust: 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.
 
REF-226 580

Location: HMP Wayland
Department: Prison delivery
Salary: £23,411 per annum
Hours: 28 hours / 4 days per week
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
 
Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy levels amongst people in prison?
 
Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to provide peer-led learning programmes at HMP Wayland. Working closely with the prison and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust volunteers and mentors, this post will lead the delivery and development of our prison-based reading and numeracy programme, maximising opportunities for people in prison to learn to read.
 
Ideally you will have some experience of prison settings underpinned by the ability to build relationships and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach.
 
This role is a fixed-term role until 31st May 2027, with the opportunity to be made permanent subject to contract renewal.
 
The role will be prison-based. 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. These roles do require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.
 
Please note this role is subject to contract award.
 
We reserve the right to withdraw this role early if it is filled internally
?Interviews are planned for 13th March 2026
 
Benefits: Standard Shannon Trust: 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.
 
REF-226 581

Location: HMP Whatton
Department: Prison delivery
Salary: £29,264 per annum
Hours: 35 hours (5 days a week)
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
 
Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy levels amongst people in prison?
 
Shannon Trust are delighted to be working with His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) to provide peer-led learning programmes at HMP Whatton. Working closely with the prison and their staff, people in prison, Shannon Trust volunteers and mentors, this post will lead the delivery and development of our prison-based reading and numeracy programme, maximising opportunities for people in prison to learn to read.  
 
Ideally you will have some experience of prison settings underpinned by the ability to build relationships and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach. 
 
This role is a fixed term role until 31st March 2027 with the opportunity to be made permanent subject to contract renewal.
 
The role will be prison-based. 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. These roles do require prison security clearance, so we will need to ask for details of any relevant criminal convictions before an offer of employment is finalised.
 
Please note this role is subject to contract award

We reserve the right to withdraw this role early if it is filled internally

?Closing date is 15th March 2026.
Interviews are planned for 20th March 2026.
 
REF-226 854

We’re looking for a Corporate Partnerships and Fundraising Lead to join #TeamGMYN to attract and manage new income generating partnerships to support our work with young people.

GMYN’s ambition is to develop our growing community of support from influential individuals and companies, who can play a critical role in generating regular sources of income and in-kind support.

This is a vital role within GMYN. Fundraising enables us to deliver our services and projects to reach the young people who need us the most. You would be joining a passionate and highly skilled team, all wanting to make a difference to young people's lives.

You’d be joining us at a landmark moment. As we look toward our 20th anniversary in early 2027, we are seeking a creative, passionate professional to help us make the most of this milestone. If you are looking for a role where you can develop fresh ideas, influence our long-term strategy, and work within a dedicated team bringing fun to young people’s lives, we’d love to hear from you.

About us...

At Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) our vision is #YoungPeopleCan and our mission is that every young person, whatever their background, feels confident, connected, and capable of great things.

We pride ourselves on being an exciting youth charity, focused on changing the lives of young people facing multiple disadvantages. We help young people aged 10-25 to:

• Strengthen social connections.
• Improve wellbeing and confidence.
• Develop key life skills.
• Have a say on issues that matter to them.

For nearly 20 years we have positively changed the lives of more than 14,000 young people. many of whom face significant and overlapping challenges in their daily lives. GMYN primarily supports:

• Care experienced young people.
• Separated Young People (Unaccompanied Asylum Seeker Children).
• Young people who are disabled and neurodivergent.
• Young people with social, emotional and mental health challenges.
• Young people who are not ready for work.

Our programmes aren't just delivered to young people; they're co-designed with them. We believe that young people being involved in leading the programmes that they take part in, builds their confidence and skills.

As GMYN’s Corporate Partnerships and Fundraising Lead, you will generate income from a range of philanthropic and corporate supporters. We want someone who can “sell what we do” and turn leads into impactful partnerships.

As well as building on the existing support and donor network we have, we’re looking for someone who is adept at spotting opportunities and comfortable creating new ones by making speculative approaches by phone, e-mail and in-person.

As an integral part of the Fundraising and Development team, you will work with our CEO and Head of Business Development. The postholder will bring their own ideas to drive the development of new partnerships with donors and business partners.

What you will be doing?

• Build and manage a robust pipeline of corporate and donor prospects.
• Develop, pitch and negotiate tailored partnerships, that deliver income, in-kind support, and engagement opportunities.
• Personally steward our existing portfolio of donors and supporters, to ensure long-term relationships.
• Champion youth voice in fundraising and communications, working with the participation team to co-design campaigns and engagement opportunities.
• Promote our work, impact and support opportunities through our communications channels to draw in new business and sponsorship opportunities.
• Work as part of the wider communications team. Improve fundraising, engage supporters and attract new support through creative story telling.
• Create engaging fundraising content for our audiences, including e-communications, website articles and social media posts.
• Work with the CEO and Trustees to expand GMYN’s network of Ambassadors. Opening doors to new business development opportunities, fundraising events, and corporate partnerships.
• Create and oversee fundraising events and engagement activities to enable donors to raise funds and engage with GMYN.
• Manage and monitor GMYN’s fundraising performance to ensure we have the best chance of achieving our annual targets.
• Develop annual fundraising plans working with the Head of Business Development to create a multi year strategy for growing our fundraising.

What we’re looking for:

You don't have to have worked in the voluntary youth sector previously. Our aim is to find a suitable candidate that can meet the selection criteria below. This can be from a past/current income generation/sales role, or a role with transferable skills.

More importantly we are looking for someone with genuine passion for working for a youth charity. Someone who can join our fundraising team and make a big impression, helping us to achieve our income generation goals.

We want to hire an enthusiastic person who can “sell what we do” to various donors. Someone who can maintain positive working relationships with various supporters and stakeholders.

If you feel that you could successfully fulfil the responsibilities of the role, we encourage you to apply. Even if you do not meet every criterion in the person specification.

 

Person Specification

• A genuine passion to help GMYN achieve its plan to engage and transform the lives of young people facing disadvantage.
• A proven track record of securing income from corporate partners and donors.
• Experience of meeting income targets in a fundraising or business development role.
• Demonstrable experience in building, managing, and growing strategic partnerships that deliver income and/or pro bono support.
• An understanding of the charity sector and/or experience in corporate fundraising.
• Experience in the creation and delivery of external communications. Ability to tell young people’s stories and demonstrate the positive impact our supporters make.
• Experience of monitoring performance and evaluating income generating activities including collection and analysis of data.
• Excellent numeracy, literacy and report writing skills with the ability to maintain accurate records and budgets.
• Knowledge of local and national CSR priorities and how the charity sector can help organisations achieve those.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple initiatives simultaneously.

Our offer...

In 2025 we received membership status for the GM Good Employment Charter. This means we have gone through a rigorous process to ensure that we are the best employer we can be in the following areas– secure work, flexible work, pay, engagement & voice, recruitment, people management, health & wellbeing. In essence, we care about staff and strive to support them to be happy and succeed in the workplace.

All staff receive the following offer:

Annual Leave: All staff receive 25 days of annual leave in additional to the public bank holidays, pro rata. This offer rises after three years employment with an extra day each year (capped at 30 days). We also provide additional "Gift Days" during Christmas when the office is closed.

Flexible Working: We operate flexible working hours and working from home policies to allow you to fit your personal commitments around your work.

Remuneration: We are a living wage employer, benchmarking salaries and reviewing annually. We provide development opportunities for staff to experience key themes such as project management, staff supervision and other areas of the organisation to help with role/salary progression.

Celebration leave: GMYN allows all employees to take a day off from work each year to celebrate their birthday or a religious celebration.

Well being offer: Staff well-being is a priority - we offer an Employee Assisted Programme and access to internal Mental Health First Aiders. Staff also receive five annual ‘no-questions-asked’ no notice leave as part of their holiday allowance to support mental wellbeing.

Emergency leave: Staff are allowed time off to deal with an emergency or other situations which have an impact on their ability to work. GMYN pay full salary for up to 5 days a year pro rata for staff to deal with an immediate situation that is out of their hands and unplanned.

Pension: We offer a salary sacrifice 8% pension scheme with 3% employer contributions.

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): Staff have access to a 24/7 service offering a wide range of support.

Volunteering/Development hour: GMYN allows all staff members the opportunity to take one hour out of their working week to either volunteer or engage in development activities.

Social Value: GMYN takes pride in our social value and environmental impact, continually seeking team-led ideas to drive improvement.

Cycle to Work Scheme: GMYN provides the Cycle to Work scheme, supporting staff to buy a bike, with the cost of the equipment repaid by the employee through salary sacrifice.

 

 IDEA (inclusivity, diversity, equity and access)

GMYN aims to create an inclusive welcoming environment for young people and all those who wish to join #TeamGMYN.

Whilst our staff are diverse in many ways, we aim to increase our staff with lived experience.

GMYN is ambitious about inclusivity, diversity, equity and access. We actively encourage applications from people of colour, people from working class backgrounds, disabled and neurodiverse people, and/or people who have relevant lived experience of the challenges we help young people to tackle.

All applications are welcomed, and each will be assessed on its own merit. Many of our staff work flexibly in many ways, including part-time and job share. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise not to judge you for asking.