Literacy jobs

The funding environment has shifted fast. Alexandra Rose needs to be sharper, more strategic and more commercially literate than the traditional charity model allows. This role exists to make that happen.

We are looking for a senior funding leader who is comfortable operating as a “department of one” within a small but ambitious organisation. Trusts and Foundations prospecting and bid writing will form a core part of the role, working closely with the CEO and senior team. Beyond that, you will build and steward high-value funder relationships, develop and secure corporate partnerships aligned with our values, test new income models, and help us adapt confidently to a fast-changing landscape.

This is a senior leadership position. You will work closely with the CEO and Head of Finance to shape organisational direction and build a resilient, full-cost-recovery funding model that protects quality, depth and long-term impact.

This is a remote role, with a requirement to regularly attend meetings and events (mainly London but on occasions project areas elsewhere in the UK).

Key Responsibilities

 Strategic leadership

• Deliver the current funding strategy, which includes Trusts & Foundations grant funding, corporate donations, and testing new potential ways to generate income.
• Monitor sector trends, opportunities and risks, and reposition the charity as needed.
• Work closely with the CEO and Head of Finance to align income planning with organisational priorities and financial forecasting.
• Build simple, effective systems for pipeline development, forecasting and reporting.

 Trusts & Foundations

• Lead the trusts and foundations portfolio, working closely with the CEO to secure multi-year, core and expansion funding, including directly leading on the writing of funding bids. This will be a core part of the role.
• Develop compelling, well-evidenced funding proposals rooted in our mission and impact.
• Build strong, long-term relationships with funders.

 Corporate Donations & Partnerships

• Manage and grow existing corporate relationships, ensuring partnerships remain values-aligned, purposeful and mutually beneficial.
• Identify and develop new appropriate corporate donors and partners, informed by research into corporate giving, ESG and CSR trends.
• Shape and evolve a clear, credible and cost-effective corporate engagement offer that supports long-term organisational sustainability.

 New income streams

• Scope, test and (if viable) deliver new earned-income models, such as corporate engagement models.
• Develop proof-of-concept approaches and evaluate their feasibility.
• Support the organisation to diversify and strengthen its income base.

 Collaboration & leadership culture

• Serve as a key member of the Senior Management Team, contributing to organisation-wide strategy and decision-making.
• Build a transparent, mature, collaborative culture around income generation.
• Ensure the wider team understands funding opportunities, constraints and strategic choices.

Why join us?

• This is a chance to have real impact in an organisation that works practically and strategically to remove the barriers of affordability and accessibility to good food, with a focus on fruit and veg.

• A senior leadership role with real influence over the charity’s direction and sustainability.
• The chance to build and shape a future-facing income strategy in a charity committed to genuine systemic change.
• Remote working and genuine flexibility.
• Work that directly contributes to a fairer, healthier and more dignified food system.

This role is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and skilled training developer to join our growing charity, to develop two eLearning courses that support our goals to train school chefs nationwide. This role will transform our existing flagship Chef Educator programme into a bitesize eLearning course and create a new School Food Standards course,  making high-quality chef training accessible, practical and engaging for every school chef. 

Who we are

Chefs in Schools is a young, ambitious charity that’s rapidly growing. Our mission is to improve kids' health, through improving school food & food education.

We focus our efforts in areas of high socio-economic deprivation, where more than a third of children are entitled to free school meals, and diet-related disease is driving further inequality.

We support and train school kitchen teams to serve the best, freshest and tastiest food possible, alongside meaningful food education. We share learning and resources, aiming to inspire and enable others to follow our lead.

We’re backed by some of the biggest names in food and have ambitious targets to ensure every child has access to incredible school food and food education, setting them up for life with the skills and knowledge to feed themselves well.

About you and the role

We are looking for a creative and systematic Training Development Lead to help us develop two eLearning training courses to support school chefs across the country engage with professional development. 

In this role, you will lead two key training projects. First, you will take the lead on a major digital transformation, evolving our existing flagship School Chef Educator programme, which is currently a 10-week hybrid model, into a streamlined, high-quality, eLearning training course. Working closely with the Chef Educator team, you will transform the course content into a bitesize, accessible online course that will be available nationally. You will work with school chefs to feed into the design, delivery, and pilot of the course, embedding feedback loops to ensure early improvements. You will work with our evaluation team to ensure the course meets our organisation’s goals, whilst embedding impact and evaluation metrics into the back end of the course design.

Second, you will lead the creation of a brand-new eLearning course focused on School Food Standards, ensuring every school chef has the tools to meet modern nutritional and quality benchmarks. The course will be made available to all school chefs nationwide and is therefore required to be accessible and easily digestible to all types of learners. This short course will provide the bedrock to understand the School Food Standards, to ensure compliance and improvements can be made nationwide throughout school kitchens. 

Training for school chefs is currently not mandatory, nor commonplace, a core mission of ours to change, therefore the online-only courses need to truly meet the requirements of trainees, with every minute of training being practical, engaging and delivering high-impact.

The responsibilities, skills and experience listed below are intended to give you an idea of what we need for this role. If you don’t meet every requirement but feel you would be able to work with us to deliver the majority of them, we urge you to apply anyway. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and for us the most important ‘experience’ is passion for our mission. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented communities, to apply.

We want to get to know you at the interview and understand we can do this best if you’re at ease. We’re an inclusive employer and work hard to create a welcoming working environment for everyone, including appointing a neurodiversity champion to help us identify how we can make our work environment work for everyone. If you need adjustments to the interview process please let us know.

As we work with children & young people, an offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and DBS clearance, in line with our safeguarding policy.

Key responsibilities:

Your primary objective is to create two eLearning training courses for school chefs; School Chef Educator & School Food Standards. Your day-to-day will involve:

• Audit the existing 10-week hybrid School Chef Educator programme and reimagining its delivery for a 100% digital environment.

• Design and develop the end-to-end eLearning course for the School Food Standards, ensuring it is accessible, interactive, and compliant with English regulations.

• Work with Programme Managers, Chef Trainers and the Chief Innovation Officer for content information and development of both courses.

• Lead content creation, from scripting video lessons, designing interactive quizzes and self reflective tasks, and creating downloadable resources, specifically tailored for a time poor audience.

• Develop learner journeys, ensuring it is intuitive for users who may have varying levels of literacy and digital literacy, and who may learn across desktop and mobile devices whilst on-site. 

• Work closely with our stakeholders, including school chefs, to ensure all content is grounded in the practical realities of school catering.

• Test and iterate on course modules based on pilot feedback to ensure high completion rates and genuine skill acquisition.

 Essential skills & experience:

• Experience in developing eLearning training courses from scratch, ideally within a Learning Management System (LMS) environment. 

• Experience of successfully converting face-to-face or hybrid training into fully digital formats that maintain high levels of learner engagement.

• You are able to translate technical or complex language into clear, understandable communications. 

• You have experience in developing videos for training courses.

• A strong understanding of how to optimise content for desktop and mobile viewing.

• The ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.

• You have the ability to listen, understand and interpret user requirements 

• You are self-motivated, audience-focused and driven.

• You have an interest and belief in our mission, to improve kids' health through improving food and food education in schools.

Desirable skills & experience:

• Experience in school catering or the UK education sector

• Experience of the charity sector, and the ability to identify where training outcomes can amplify long-term impact

• The ability to contribute to the creation of training materials or resources that add value to the membership programme.

• An understanding of the challenges and opportunities of working in school food and school catering work environments.

Benefits

You would be joining a friendly, supportive team who works hard but believe in a healthy work/life balance. We were voted one of CODE Hospitality’s happiest places to work in 2024. We seek a diverse range of perspectives, skills, experience and knowledge. Joining a small, collaborative team means you’ll be able to contribute to and draw on various projects and strategic insights.

We offer 33 days of holiday per year including bank holidays, 3 additional office closure days over the Christmas period as well as wellbeing days over the summer school holidays.  We also have a Cycle to Work scheme, hybrid working, enhanced parental leave, and free access to the CODE app for discounted restaurants & hospitality venues. We are committed to developing our team and will support you with relevant training opportunities including £250 towards elective training and development of your choice.

We also offer Bupa Dental Insurance, Income Protection Insurance, as well as access to the Aviva Smart Health Platform which offers health benefits including free rapid access online GP appointments, free counselling and wellbeing support.

Application process

In line with our commitment to ensuring a fair and unbiased recruitment process, we invite candidates to answer a series of questions related to their day-to-day job. Please follow this link to answer the questions and submit your application along with your CV.

We recommend that you develop your answers offline and copy them in when you’re ready to ensure you don’t lose your work if interrupted.

Your answers will go through our sifting process: all answers will be anonymised, randomised and then reviewed by a panel of reviewers. A long list of candidates will then additionally have their CVs reviewed. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a 30 mins online interview. Successful candidates will be invited to attend a second, in-person interview at our office in Brixton, London.

Expected duration of this application process: 4 weeks

In line with our commitment to ensuring a fair and unbiased recruitment process, we will invite candidates to interview based on their answers to a series of questions related to their day-to-day job.

The deadline for applications is midday on 20th March 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online 30-minute interview to take place on 26th March 2026.

Successful candidates will be invited to an in-person second interview on 1st April 2026 to be held at our office in Brixton, London. The interview overall will take a maximum of one hour.

We are looking for someone who can start with immediate effect in April. 

We are looking for someone experienced, proactive, organised and confident in delivering on tasks. Someone who values collaboration, co-production and working in a culture rooted in trust, flexibility and compassion.

This is an opportunity to provide trauma-informed, gender-sensitive casework support with women impacted by their own or someone else’s gambling who are experiencing complex and intersecting challenges including mental health difficulties, debt, homelessness, relationship breakdown, neurodiversity, coercive control, isolation and safeguarding risks.

The role provides longer-term, structured support and advocacy, primarily online and by telephone, helping women stabilise, rebuild safety, access services and strengthen resilience.

This role requires high emotional literacy, strong boundaries, and safe risk management within a multi-agency framework.

Key Responsibilities

Intensive Casework Support

• Provide structured 1:1 support to women with complex needs.
• Develop collaborative support plans with clear goals and review points.
• Provide safety planning where risk is identified.
• Support women navigating debt, housing, legal and safeguarding systems.
• Facilitate access to specialist services (mental health, housing, domestic abuse, financial advice, substance misuse, etc.).
• Support women experiencing homelessness risk, including advocacy with local authorities and housing providers.
• Maintain ongoing contact over medium-to-longer term support journeys (as agreed in service model).

Risk Assessment & Safeguarding

• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
• Conduct proportionate risk screening and escalate concerns to DSL.
• Work in accordance with safeguarding policy.
• Maintain awareness of suicide risk indicators and escalate appropriately.
• Record safeguarding actions accurately and promptly.

Advocacy & Systems Navigation

• Advocate on behalf of women with external agencies where appropriate.
• Support women in understanding rights and entitlements.
• Attend multi-agency meetings (online) where required.
• Work collaboratively with associate counsellors when women are accessing therapy.

Trauma-Informed & Gender-Sensitive Practice

• Deliver support grounded in trauma-informed principles.
• Recognise impact of shame, stigma and gender-based inequality.
• Understand intersection of gambling harm with coercive control, domestic abuse, and financial exploitation.
• Maintain non-judgemental, strengths-based approach.
• Respect women’s autonomy and lived experience.

Record Keeping & Data

• Maintain accurate case notes in our CRM system.
• Complete outcome measures as required.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation processes.
• Maintain confidentiality in line with GDPR and safeguarding frameworks.

Professional Boundaries

• Participate in supervision and reflective practice.
• Escalate complex clinical risk appropriately.

Working Relationships

Internal:
Service Manager
Peer Support Coordinators
Associate Counsellors
Operational Manager (for data compliance)

External:
Housing services
Debt advice agencies
Mental health services
Domestic abuse services
Local authorities
Primary Care and GP services
Voluntary sector partners

Person Specification

Essential Education & Qualifications

• Level 3 or Level 4 qualification in:
  • Health & Social Care
  • Counselling Skills
  • Community Work
  • Social Care
  • Or equivalent relevant field

• Safeguarding Level 3 (or willingness to obtain)
• Understanding of trauma-informed practice

Desirable Qualifications

• Level 4 Diploma in Counselling
• Domestic Abuse awareness training
• Suicide prevention training (ASIST or equivalent)
• Debt, welfare or housing training
• Mental health awareness qualifications
• Neurodiversity

Essential Experience

• Minimum 2 years experience supporting women with complex needs.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing:
  • Mental health challenges
  • Financial hardship or debt
  • Housing instability or homelessness risk
  • Isolation or social exclusion

• Experience working remotely (online/phone support).
• Experience multi-agency working.
• Experience risk management and safeguarding escalation.

 Desirable Experience

• working with gambling harm.
• supporting family members impacted by addiction.
• working within women-only services.
• working with domestic and financial abuse.
• experience of advocacy and case coordination roles.
• experience of supporting women who identify as neurodiverse

Skills & Competencies

• Strong relational skills.
• Ability to hold distress without rescuing.
• Clear professional boundaries.
• Excellent written case recording.
• Emotional resilience.
• Good digital literacy.
• Ability to work autonomously within structured supervision.
• Understanding of intersectionality and inequality.

Trauma-Informed & Gender-Sensitive Expectations

Postholder must:

• Understand the impact of shame and secrecy in gambling harm.
• Recognise coercive financial control.
• Be sensitive to caring roles and stigma.
• Work at pace appropriate to trauma recovery.
• Avoid deficit-based language.
• Recognise cultural and structural barriers affecting women.

Our current operational days are Tue-Thurs with potential evening work and appointments outside of these days.

Working with thrivin’ together

· Application deadline: Tuesday 31 March 12 noon 2026

· Provisional Interview date: Wednesday 15 April 2026

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.

Are you passionate about children’s literacy? Do you want to use your skills and experience to enable opportunity for children living with little or no access to books and reading? Can you help create a home environment where reading for pleasure is part of the fabric of family life? If so, read on - we may have just the job for you here at Doorstep Library!

We are looking for a Reading Project Leader, to deliver some of our reading projects in London on a part-time, term-time only basis. You will lead a team of volunteers on three projects per week, being present at a community base/online while your volunteer team visits local families and reads with children. You will also have the opportunity to read with families yourself.

You will be a resourceful, confident decision maker able to operate independently to support your team and be able to engage with our community partners and beneficiaries.

Prison Facilitator/Library Assistant - HMP Ashfield

Location: HMP Ashfield
Department: Prison delivery
Salary: £29,264
Hours: Full time (35 hours)
Contract Type: Permanent

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 Ashfield. 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 literacy and numeracy programmes at HMP Ashfield, maximising opportunities for people in prison to learn. This role also includes providing daily assistance in the running of the prison library and of library outreach including facilitation of activity groups.

Ideally you will have some experience working within a prison environment, underpinned by the ability to build relationships and personal qualities that include resilience, determination and a problem-solving approach. You will have a love for reading and be able to help inspire others (including those who find reading difficult) to enjoy all of the benefits of reading for pleasure.

The role is 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.

?Interviews are planned for 9th April 2026

REF-226 987

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.

Prison Facilitator - Bank Staff
 
Location: South Central (HMP Bullingdon and HMP Aylesbury)
Department: Prison delivery
Salary: £17.57 per hour
Job Type: Part time
Contract Type: Bank
 
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-226 978

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

Vauxhall City Farm is looking for a dynamic Education Officer to support the delivery of our unique range of educational opportunities - from creative, curriculum-linked programmes rooted in animal care, gardening, wellbeing, and sustainability - to drop in community events throughout the year. You will play a vital role in supporting children, young people, and community groups, particularly those facing barriers to acheiving their potential, and be a vital part of the wider Vauxhall City Farm team. This is a rare opportunity to combine meaningful work with professional growth in one of London’s leading city farms. 

We're looking for someone with:

• Experience delivering educational activities/workshops for diverse audiences
• Commitment to education, conservation and the environment
• A practical and enthusiastic approach to learning outside of the classroom
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Excellent literacy, numeracy and IT skills
• Knowledge of safeguarding and health safety practices
• Comfortable working with and handling animals
• Willing to undergo an enhanced DBS check

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

Following a strategic pause to reset the organisation with the help of an interim senior management team, we are now ready to recruit our long-term Chief Executive Officer. 

Self Help UK (SHUK) provides holistic support and knowledge via close interaction with local communities, peer groups and volunteers to a) prevent long-term health conditions and b) help those with existing conditions to feel more confident, informed and supported in navigating their health journey in a way that works best for them. 

Our values are empowering others, putting people first, acting with integrity and showing compassion.

We are looking for a Chief Executive Officer to take us into the next phase of growth, with the following responsibilities:

• Forming relationships with local charities and funders in Nottinghamshire and wider East Midlands region, and building relationships within the Deaf community, locally and nationall
• Representing SHUK across relevant forums, networks, and platform
• Bringing funding into core/central functions and securing ongoing funding for existing and future projects
• Managing the operations of SHUK via a senior leadership team of managers and function leads
• Ensuring SHUK is compliant with charity and employer regulations, ensuring high standards of governance, transparency, and integrity
• Ensuring overall financial control of the organisation, supported by the Finance Manager, keeping a regular eye on the core and restricted cashflow
• Supporting the Board of Trustees by ensuring they are making decisions based on accurate information and context
• Ensuring all members of staff and volunteers are supported and developed
• Ensuring SHUK’s services are of high quality and have a positive impact on those who use them
• Driving continuous improvement in quality, standards, image, and reputation

The personal qualities this role needs are:

• A dynamic leader, with ideas and principles that align with those of SHUK
• Enthusiasm to take on a challenge, focused on ensuring SHUK has long-term sustainability
• Clear management abilities at all levels in order to challenge, engage, address issues and provide support
• Able to communicate a clear vision and strategy, with proven ability to translate vision into business plans
• Demonstrable understanding of charity finances, with strong budget management, financial planning skills and the ability to diversify income
• Experience of working in the voluntary sector, with direct experience of fundraising
• Knowledge of the current NHS plans, and the significance of health inequalities – able to make a case for its importance during bids
• Knowledge/understanding of the Deaf Community
• Experience of managing change and stabilising an organisation
• Business development/networking skills
• Able to pivot between strategy and transactional or work with others to provide those skills, leading through empowerment
• Active interest in and knowledge of the Nottingham/Nottinghamshire locality.
• Able to work in Nottingham at least one day per week

Background:

SHUK is a leading peer support organisation with over 40 years of experience in developing and delivering peer-led services. Our mission is to empower individuals and communities by embedding peer support principles into health and wellbeing initiatives. We have created a range of innovative programmes that help people living with cancer and other long-term health conditions to navigate challenges and take control of their health and wellbeing.

We work in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support on projects that make a real difference. These include national and local initiatives for the Deaf community, volunteer-led support for anyone affected by cancer, and prehabilitation services for those facing complex treatment. We are collaborating with our Integrated Care Board (ICB) on cancer projects, and work within our Integrated Care System (ICS) to strengthen partnerships and synergies with local health and care delivery, improve health literacy and increase cancer screening uptake among underserved communities in Nottingham. Looking ahead, we are exploring a new direction to position SHUK as a holistic, person-centred support provider, embedding peer support and volunteer-led activity at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is to challenge health inequalities and enable people to feel confident, informed, and supported in shaping their own health journey.

A selection of causes covered by SHUK:

• Peer support
• Long-term health conditions
• Cancer diagnoses and prevention
• Voluntary sector support
• Health inequalities, including the deaf community
• Under-served communities

The Queen’s Reading Room is a charity dedicated to celebrating the transformative power of reading.

Inspired by Her Majesty The Queen’s passion for literature, and founded by The Queen in 2023, we connect readers around the world with books, authors and ideas through curated content, grassroots partnerships, innovative neuroscientific research, collaborations and major live events. We believe books enrich lives, strengthen communities and support wellbeing.

The Queen’s Reading Room is entering an exciting new phase of growth — and partnerships are central to our future.

We are seeking an exceptional Projects and Partnerships Coordinator to help grow and deliver our grassroots partnerships and flagship initiatives, including The Queen’s Reading Medal and pioneering neuroscientific research projects exploring the impact of reading.

This is a rare opportunity to join a high-profile and ambitious charity at a pivotal moment — and to help shape meaningful national initiatives that champion the power and benefits of reading.

About the Role

This role sits at the heart of our programme delivery and partnership development.

You will:

• Build and support grassroots partnerships with organisations including shelters, refuges and prisons
   

• Oversee the coordination of key projects, including neuroscientific and academic research partnerships
   

• Oversee development of pilot projects with employers and workplaces
   

• Support the development of training toolkits and resources for partner organisations
   

• Coordinate book donation initiatives to community settings
   

• Work closely with our Impact Manager to ensure compelling qualitative and quantitative data is gathered from partnerships
   

• Explore technological solutions (such as digital platforms or an app) to help scale our grassroots activity
   

• Contribute to the planning of conferences and roundtables to share impact, research findings and sector learning
   

As this area grows, the role will evolve to include greater responsibility for convening partners and positioning The Queen’s Reading Room as a thought leader in the field.

About You

We are looking for someone who is:

• Highly organised, proactive and detail-oriented
   

• Experienced in coordinating projects or partnerships in a charity, cultural, education or academic setting
   

• Confident working with senior stakeholders, academics and community partners
   

• Comfortable managing multiple workstreams simultaneously
   

• Interested in impact measurement and using evidence to strengthen programmes
   

• Motivated by the power of reading and literature to transform lives
   

Experience working with research institutions, developing training resources, delivering events, or supporting digital platforms would be advantageous.

Working Arrangements

• Hybrid working, home-based with regular travel to London and the option to work in an office based in London Victoria. Our ideal candidate is based in or around London and must have the right to work in the UK.

• Occasional UK travel.

Why Join Us?

• Play a key role in a growing and ambitious national charity
   

• Contribute to high-profile and meaningful initiatives
   

• Help shape scalable grassroots programmes
   

• Work within a collaborative and mission-driven team
   

If you are excited by the idea of combining partnerships, projects, impact and innovation — and want to help champion reading on a national stage — we would love to hear from you.