Living levels volunteering coordinator jobs

This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about activism, campaigning, and collective organising to play a central role within our Democracy & Representation Team. The successful candidate will support and strengthen the delivery of officer-led campaigns and projects, working closely with our five elected Sabbatical Officers. You will help turn their ideas into meaningful change, from coordinating campaign activity and managing deadlines to ensuring officers have the tailored support they need. You will help connect work across the Students’ Union, contributing to campaigns on key issues such as liberation, student rights, fair representation, and intersectionality.

If you are motivated by supporting others, thinking creatively about campaign strategy, and contributing to impactful, student-led change, we would love to hear from you.

At Basecamp Adventure Trust, we empower vulnerable young people from West Yorkshire to thrive through unique, long-term programmes which harness outdoor adventure as a powerful vehicle for personal transformation. Through a combination of skills workshops, exhilarating adventure trips and a deeply relational approach, we challenge, celebrate and inspire young people to discover a newfound sense of confidence, resilience and self-belief, and to explore new possibilities for themselves. Our programmes are intensive, sustained and individualised to make a lasting positive difference on the young people we work with so they can lead happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.

This role demands a unique combination of skills. You’ll be a capable Programme Manager (or at the very least an aspiring one with a strong desire to step up from your current youth experience), with an understanding of the role outdoor adventure can have in supporting health and wellbeing and underpinning personal development.

In addition to this, we’ve got big ambitions to develop an events strand to our work, which brings together three separate but interlinked fundraising ideas. You will support us to create, shape and implement this new initiative alongside our team, helping us to turn our initial idea into a reality. We are proud to be very much a people-led organisation, so it’s possible that your own strengths and experience may sway the specifics of the role.

Reports to: Senior Management Team

Hours: Full time, 5 days (37.5 hours) a week, flexible working evenings and weekends as required

Salary: £28,000 - £35,000 dependant on experience

Location: The Old Fire Station, Leeds (Basecamp HQ), but the role also incorporates travel across Yorkshire and the Lake District

Transport: The role will require access to a car

Start Date: We will accommodate the start date depending on the individual’s situation, but we are looking to get someone in for Spring

Annual Leave: 22 days + bank holidays + 1x day off per Adventure Residential) to account for extra hours worked)

The Role

Programme Manager (~35% of the role) – We are looking for an enthusiastic and capable Programme Manager who can lead the delivery of our Core Programme, having the ability to directly work with young people, lead a team, have an acute eye for detail and organisation and a creative, dynamic approach to problem-solving. The Programme Manager role takes up around 80 days a year, with the days being weighted unevenly across the months of the year.

Events Coordinator (~65% of the role) – We are looking for a driven and creative Events Coordinator who will help us create a Basecamp calendar of external events, which will support our fundraising goals and bring a large and diverse audience to our work. The right candidate will be excited at the prospect of turning ideas into a reality, supporting us with the creative development of this idea as well as the practical implementation.

Programme Manager Roles and Responsibilities

Acting as the key point of contact to organise, deliver and oversee the Basecamp Core Programme to 1 cohort of young people, including managing residential trips, school workshops and other supporting sessions throughout the year’s programme (e.g. Taster Days, Graduation etc) (September - June).

This includes:

• Onboarding young people onto the programme, working in collaboration with schools to ensure our referral criteria are met and we have the information we need.

• Facilitating creative, arts and games-based workshops in school.

• Supporting day-to-day administration and management of the programme including maintaining a database and producing written communications and reports.

• Coordinating Adventure Youth Coaches, Volunteers, Instructors and School Supporting Staff on residential, as the main point of contact.

• Managing disciplinary action as required if a situation is escalated higher than Adventure Youth Coaches or Volunteers.

• Ensuring the highest standards of support, safety and safeguarding across the programme, in line with Basecamp’s ethos, policies and procedures.

• Providing ongoing feedback to young people, parents, carers and schools, through email, Whatsapp and handwritten cards.

• Working with partner organisation such as schools and instructors/activity providers, to ensure the Basecamp mission is consistent and everybody has the smoothest experience possible and to build the Basecamp ‘brand’ to an extent that the schools want to keep working with us and value the work that we do.

• Contributing to organisational planning and development, including supporting the development of further opportunities for young people.

Events Coordinator Roles and Responsibilities

Supporting our team to create, develop, test and implement a calendar of Basecamp events including third-party challenge events, Basecamp events and bespoke corporate adventure challenges. This calendar will support the building of both our new corporate partnerships programme, an innovative new take on traditional corporate fundraising as well as getting our brand-new Basecamp Community off the ground, our own version of an individual giving initiative.

This includes:

• Undertaking prospect research to identify corporate partners who we can build long-lasting, meaningful relationships with.

• Identifying key networking opportunities to help us raise our profile in West Yorkshire.

• Supporting us to develop our pitch to prospective corporate partners, creating bespoke partnerships which demonstrate our ethos, culture and impact.  

• Supporting the development of our new Basecamp Community initiative, creating the necessary comms and finding interactive ways to get members involved and feel a part of the community.

•  Supporting the implementation of systems and protocols that will allow us to effectively manage logistics, budgeting, risk assessments, and delivery on the ground, establishing new supplier partnerships in the process.

• Developing relationships with flagship event providers, maximising engagement with creative and far-reaching communication initiatives and providing supportive inspiring stewarding journeys for all involved.

• Working collaboratively across fundraising and comms ensuring we maximise the effectiveness of each event and that they are supporting our other fundraising initiatives.

Person Specification

The postholder will play a key role in the development and delivery of both programme and charity events. They will be a brilliant ‘all-rounder’ who can go from speaking to a group of 30 children in a muddy field, to being comfortable behind a laptop researching potential corporate partners, to feeling confident in creative meetings where our ideas become a reality.  We are looking for someone with a strong creative drive, excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the natural ability to use initiative. Whilst ticking the experience requirement boxes is important to us, we will always take a holistic view of your application and consider transferable experience.

• Demonstrated experience working with disadvantaged or vulnerable young people with empathy and compassion

• Proven understanding of the issues impacting young people today, including socioeconomic challenges, and mental health considerations

• Sound understanding of safeguarding and commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people

• Experience coordinating, supporting or delivering programmes for young people

• Ability to take initiative to turn plans from scratch into successful events

• Willingness to contribute creatively to organisational development and bring fresh ideas

• Strong research skills, identifying partners who align with our ethos and culture

• Willingness to engage in community and corporate outreach

• Understanding of marketing, communication and social media and using various social networks to promote and build brands

• Ability to manage and prioritise multiple events seamlessly, quickly and easily moving between higher level strategic issues to on the ground delivery details

• Strong ‘relationship builder’ who is able to connect with young people, parents, teachers, and various external partners

• Confident hosting and talking to groups, and setting a positive, encouraging tone

• Flexible approach with the ability to adapt to a variety of settings, from office environments to outdoor residentials

• Strong problem-solving skills, especially in high-energy or challenging settings, with a positive mindset

• Resilience and a good sense of humour, suited to working in a dynamic and sometimes unpredictable environment

• High-level organisational skills

• Strong eye for detail and ability to multitask/notice multiple things going on at once and effectively deal with them

• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with an emphasis on creating professional yet personable written materials

• Proficiency in standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office or Google Workspace) and database management, ideally some knowledge/experience of basic graphic design software such as Canva

Personal Qualities

Relationally-led: You’ll take a person-centred approach demonstrating empathy and patience that makes people feel seen, valued and respected.

Enthusiasm: You’ll be passionate about the work we do as a charity through both hands-on and office-based work and are excited to be a part of its journey and growth

Dynamic: You’ll be able to adapt to a variety of settings, from office environments to the outdoors, with the ability to notice multiple things going on at once and take initiative when things change.

Detail-oriented: You’ll have a keen eye for detail to ensure safety, quality, and consistency in our delivery, able to solve problems in high-energy or challenging settings with a positive mindset.

Creative: You’ll enjoy contributing creatively to organisational development, bringing fresh ideas whilst adopting a ‘think big’ attitude

Genuine love for the outdoors: You’ll innately understand the power of outdoor adventure, and how it stretches people to believe they are capable of so much more

Other requirements

• Willing to work flexible hours and work in outdoor environments/take part in outdoor activities

• A full driving licence and access to your own vehicle

• A satisfactory enhanced DBS check

• Satisfactory references

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. In 2024 we embarked on our new 10-year strategy for ending homelessness. We know it is not inevitable. We know together we can end it.

Our shops generate valuable income to support our services, create opportunities for homeless people to learn new skills and contribute to Crisis’ work in the community. They have a unique contemporary visual identity and are dynamic and creative places to work.

About the role

We are recruiting for an Assistant Shop Manager to join a busy and creative team in Elephant and Castle. You will join an exciting team and collaborate to build a group of volunteers from all walks of life, raising money to fund Crisis’ work ending homelessness. We are bold with a culture of continuous review and improvement, where we try new things, take risks, and sometimes fail. There will be numerous opportunities to improve our team’s effectiveness. Your voice will count!

We also work closely with local artists and universities. We’d love you to bring your own ideas, along with your experience of fashion, retail and current trends, to this role. You will have opportunities to build your own skills and career progression through training and development – many of our shop managers were promoted internally. Ensuring our recruitment practices are as equitable as possible is our number one priority so we are looking for someone who advocates for others and challenges injustice.

You will be primarily based in the Elephant and Castle shop, but you may be required to travel to other shops within London 1 & 2 on a short-term basis.

About you

To be successful in this role you will have retail experience at a supervisory level alongside a genuine interest in charity retail. You will be keen to build your people management skills including working with Crisis members. We are particularly interested in meeting candidates with an interest or background in visual merchandising, although this is not essential. You will be committed to Crisis’s values and mission to end homelessness.

You may have experience in: assistant shop manager, assistant store manager, shop supervisor, store supervisor, charity shop manager, retail manager, charity retail

Please see the full Job Pack linked below, for a full list of requirements for this role. We realise that long lists of criteria can be daunting, and you may not want to apply for a role unless you feel 100% qualified. However, if you feel you have relevant examples to answer the screening questions, we encourage you to apply.

We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities, and backgrounds.

Working at Crisis

Our values, Bold, Impactful, Collaborative and Equitable, are at the heart of everything we do as we continue in our mission to end homelessness.

Our staff, members and volunteers are vital to getting the right government policies in place, providing breakthrough services, and building a supportive community. We’ll lead by example to nurture a positive and ambitious workplace guided by ending homelessness.

As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including:

• A competitive salary. Please note, our salaries are fixed to counter inequity and we do not negotiate at offer stage.
• Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy.
• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5%
• 28 days’ annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service to 31 days and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
• Flexible working around the core hours 10am-4pm
• Wellbeing Leave to be used flexibly And more! (Full list of benefits available on website)

Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career.

When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.

How do I apply?

Please click on the 'Apply for Job' button below. Our shortlisting process is anonymised as part of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We do not ask for CVs, instead we ask you complete the work history section and answer the screening questions for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively. At least two members of staff score all applications.

Closing date: Tuesday 27 January 2026 at 23:59.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology for my application?

We strongly discourage applicants from using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. This is so we can run a fair, transparent process which gives all applicants an equitable chance of success. We want to hear about your own experience and perspectives in your application and if shortlisted, during the interview too.

Accessibility

We want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible. If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please email our Talent Acquisition team to discuss how we can help.

Registered Charity Numbers: E&W1082947, SC040094

Details

Position:Head of Community Support and Operations

Location:Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Hours:30 hours to be taken flexibly over Monday – Friday; 1 day wfh allowance

Salary:                                £50,562 FTE (£40,996 pro rata)

Contract type:Permanent

Reportable to: CEO

Direct reports: Volunteer Development Co-ordinator, Charity Advisor and Partnership Coordinator and any relevant roles that develop

Job Purpose

The Head of Community Support and Operations is a pivotal new role being introduced to the executive team at Barnsley CVS.  This person will be a key role in the growth and development of the executive team.  You will play an exciting part in the delivery and development of the recently developed 4-year strategy and theory of change. Your role will drive intention and focus on developing our support to the sector in a meaningful way to high standards, whilst ensuring our own internal operations reflect best practice.  You will need a strong knowledge of charity set up, management and governance along with a passion for what the VCSE sector does.  You will be confident in people management and development; have the ability to work inclusively with a wide range of people and backgrounds and the skill to see gaps and opportunities for service development.

You will work closely with the Head of Strategic Partnerships to identify gaps and opportunities to develop our offer of support to the sector whether through direct services, training, brokerage agreements or membership offers.  As you identify these opportunities, you will work collaboratively with the Head of Business Development to explore commercial income options that are also in line with our mission and vision.

Using your excellent people skills, you will act as the first point of contact for HR matters within the charity, overseeing the general management of our online HR system, policies and procedures.  You will work in collaboration with the CEO in any areas that need significant development or management.

You will keep up to date with new initiatives and ideas in the wider infrastructure sector, relevant legislation and modern thinking in relation to charity management best practice.

Benefits:

- 33 days annual leave increasing with years of service + annual leave given between Christmas and New Year that doesn't count against your annual leave

- Sick leave entitlement increases with years of service

- 5% pension contribution

- Paid leave to complete voluntary activity for up to 5 days pro rata

- Discount on local gym membership

- Flexible working with TOIL given for any additional hours worked

The Vacancy

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is a faith-based humanitarian relief and development organisation working to save and transform the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.  Established in 1984, with an active presence in over 45 countries, we strive to make the world a better and fairer place for those affected by poverty, conflict and natural disasters. IRUK’s focus is strengthening effective funding, mobilising for change through advocacy and awareness-raising, and strengthening programme development and delivery. IRUK works with various partners and institutions, from governments, non-governmental organisations and local authorities to grassroots communities.

Islamic Relief UK (IRUK) is recruiting for the position of Supporter Relations Income Officer to be based from its Waterloo Office, London. The organisation is currently operating to a hybrid working model.

The post holder will oversee the day-to-day supporter relations Income operations, contributing towards developing and managing related processes for staff, supporters and the public in order to ensure all fundraising administration opportunities and supporter contribution to IR are maximised.

The post holder will be responsible for ensuring income is processed accurately, ensuring that supporters receive the highest standards of customer service. The post holder will also ensure that information held on supporters is accurate, appropriate and up to date to support IR objectives.

The successful candidate must have:

• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Excellent working knowledge and experience of Raiser’s Edge
• Demonstrable experience of performing data extractions, reporting and data analysis
• A good level of competence in MS Excel, with specific reference to data manipulation
• Analytical and pro-active with strong problem-solving skills
• Ability to work in a methodical manner with constant attention to detail
• Working understanding of the gift aid scheme
• Experience of working in customer service environment
• Excellent time management skills
• Willingness to work longer hours including weekends during peak campaigns

For more information, please click on the Documents tab above to view the full Job Description.

If you are talented, reliable, service-minded, resilient and a highly motivated professional looking for a meaningful career, with a strong commitment to IRW’s mission and values of sincerity, excellence, compassion, social justice and custodianship, please apply by completing our online application form.

For more information on the excellent company benefits we offer our employees, please visit: 

What we offer UK colleagues - Islamic Relief Worldwide

PLEASE NOTE: Interviews are expected to take place on an ongoing basis until a suitable appointment is made. We therefore may close the advert sooner than the advertised date.

Pre-employment Checks:

Any employment with Islamic Relief will be subject to the following checks:

• screening clearance
• proof of eligibility to live and work within the UK
• receipt of satisfactory references

Please note, for UK-based roles, we are only able to accept applications from candidates who are eligible to work in the UK. We are unable to progress applications which would require sponsorship.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

IRW is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom IRW engages. IRW expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks. IRW also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.

In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Islamic Relief is an equal opportunities employer

A fairer and greener economy for Wales means a real Living Wage for everyone and support for the local businesses that help meet our everyday needs. We have already helped over 600 Welsh organisations guarantee 170,000 employees’ access to a real Living Wage, and we have supported local businesses pioneering food, energy, housing, transport, nature and health services. We want to do more – can you help us as our new Head of Fair Economy?

You will need to be passionate about building an economy that works for everyone, with the skills and experience to lead and build programmes and teams, work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders in our areas of work, and to be proactive in identifying new opportunities for funding and impact.

You will be leading the Fair Economy team to deliver against impact targets in our annual business plan. This involves:

• Leading the Fair Economy team (30%) 
• Supporting the real Living Wage (rLW) Programme (30%) 
• Supporting the Foundational Economy (FE) Programme (40%) 

You'll play a key role in helping individuals and organisations benefit from our expertise, while growing our reach, income, and impact as a forward-thinking charity. This includes lifting individuals out of in-work poverty and supporting local businesses that provide our everyday needs.

We are a lively and progressive charity at an important stage in our development. If our mission resonates with you and you share our aims, we would love to hear from you.

Pennaeth Economi Deg

Mae Economi decach a gwyrddach i Gymru yn golygu Cyflog Byw Gwirioneddol i bawb a chefnogaeth i’r busnesau lleol sy’n ein helpu i fodloni ein hanghenion bob dydd. Rydym ni eisoes wedi helpu 600 a mwy o sefydliadau yng Nghymru i sicrhau bod 170,000 o weithwyr yn cael Cyflog Byw Gwirioneddol, ac rydym ni wedi cefnogi busnesau lleol sy’n arloesi ym maes bwyd, ynni, tai, trafnidiaeth, natur a gwasanaethau iechyd. Ond rydym ni eisiau gwneud mwy - allwch chi ein helpu ni fel Pennaeth newydd yr Economi Deg?

Bydd angen i chi fod yn frwd dros greu economi sy’n gweithio i bawb, a meddu ar y sgiliau a’r profiad i arwain ac adeiladu rhaglenni a thimau, gweithio mewn partneriaeth ag amrywiaeth eang o randdeiliaid yn ein meysydd gwaith, a bod yn rhagweithiol wrth fynd ati i ganfod cyfleoedd cyllido ac effaith newydd.

Byddwch yn arwain tîm yr Economi Deg wrth iddynt gyflawni targedau effaith ein cynllun busnes blynyddol. Bydd hyn yn golygu: 

• Arwain Tîm yr Economi Deg (30%) 
• Cefnogi’r Rhaglen Cyflog Byw Gwirioneddol (30%) 
• Cefnogi Rhaglen yr Economi Sylfaenol (40%) 

Byddwch yn chwarae rhan allweddol yn y gwaith o helpu unigolion a sefydliadau i elwa o'n harbenigedd — ar yr un pryd â chynyddu ein cyrhaeddiad, ein hincwm a'n heffaith fel elusen flaengar. Mae hyn yn cynnwys helpu unigolion allan o dlodi mewn gwaith, a chefnogi’r busnesau lleol sy’n bodloni ein hanghenion bob dydd.

Rydym ni’n elusen fywiog a blaengar ac rydym ni mewn cyfnod pwysig yn ein datblygiad ar hyn o bryd. Os yw ein cenhadaeth yn taro tant a’ch bod chi’n rhannu’r un nodau â ni, byddem wrth ein bodd yn clywed gennych chi. 

We are looking for a strategically minded and highly committed individual to lead our System Navigation Services.  This person will be responsible for developing exceptional services to help people seeking sanctuary navigate the systems they are forced to exist in and delivering these in solidarity with those seeking sanctuary.These System Navigation Services - The Sanctuary, The Drop-In, The Sheffield Project for Refugee Integration and Growth (SPRING), and our Volunteering Team - are exciting, joyful, and powerful city-wide services that are developed alongside the community of people seeking sanctuary.  They are both impressive in their current form and have so much potential for the right candidate to build and develop them further. 

Alongside this work, we also expect a successful candidate will also have a deep understanding of systemic change, understand our unique role in that work, and understand how their role contributes to systemic change. 

Ultimately, this is a position of leadership within a highly trusted and impactful organisation at the forefront of the movement for the rights of people seeking sanctuary.  We are truly excited about bringing on someone to join us on the journey we are all on together – towards a city that is safe and welcoming for those seeking sanctuary.  In a time when that vision seems to be receding from us, we believe this work is more important than ever.

Sanctuary & Racial Justice Officer
Canterbury (and on site in hubs)
£30,940 pa plus excellent benefits
35 hours per week
Fixed-term contract for three years

Are you passionate about shaping churches to become more welcoming and accessible to newcomers, strengthening local expressions of sanctuary and helping to embed racial justice principles into ministry and practice?

We’re looking for a Sanctuary & Racial Justice Officer to build inclusive communities by helping parishes across Kent become more welcoming, accessible and culturally aware for refugees, asylum seekers and newcomers.

Reporting to the Strategic Lead for Sanctuary & Racial Justice, you’ll coordinate existing Welcome Hubs in Canterbury and help launch new hubs in Folkestone, Ashford and Dover. Working with churches, volunteers, councils and community partners, you’ll strengthen local sanctuary, deliver racial justice training and develop practical tools that embed justice into everyday ministry.

This is an exciting, hands-on, people-centric role with so much variety — part community development, part volunteer leadership, as well as a mixture of training and partnership working.

We’re looking for someone with experience of supporting vulnerable people and working with volunteers, a good understanding of racial justice in practice and strong organisational and communication skills. You’ll be confident working across communities, able to manage multiple priorities and be motivated by seeing people and parishes flourish.

You’ll need to be a practising Christian, have the right to work in the UK, have a full, clean driving licence and the ability to travel across Kent and comfortable working flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends.

The Canterbury Diocesan Board of Finance employs this role on behalf of the Social Justice Network (SJN), a UK-based charity that works to promote social justice, inclusion and support for vulnerable communities. One of SJN’s key initiatives is the Sanctuary & Racial Justice Programme, which works with local authorities, charities and community groups to support and integrate refugee families into their communities. 

The Social Justice Network aims to bring people together. Issues such as low income, debt, lack of skills, poor mental health, forced displacement and isolation are closely interlinked, trapping individuals and communities in cycles of poverty. Our vision is for all churches, in every community, to work together to tackle these issues through action, prayer and giving.

Our Sanctuary & Racial Justice Programmes help individuals and families rebuild their lives after forced displacement. Services include Welcome Hubs, Arts and Wellbeing activities, ESOL classes, employment support and casework. We focus on fostering long-term, meaningful connections with local church communities to restore stability, dignity and belonging. 

It is a genuine occupational requirement that the post-holder is a practising Christian, committed to the faith. This is essential to support and encourage parishes in living out their faith through social action and to engage authentically with the Diocese’s vision and principles in the Sanctuary & Racial Justice Programme. 

All appointments are subject to acceptable pre-appointment checks inclusive of Right to Work in the United Kingdom, References and relevant background checks applicable to the role.

Closing date: 28 April 2026
Interviews 7 May 2026

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 Bullingdon. 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 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.
?Interviews will be held on a rolling basis.

REF-227 635

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 New Hall. 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

Closing date is 23rd April 2026.
Interviews are planned for 29th April 2026.

REF-227 632

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 a suitable candidate is found  

?Interviews are planned for week commencing 27th April 2026.

REF-227 633

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 Rochester/HMP Cookham Wood and HMP Elmley. 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

?Interviews are planned for 12th May 2026

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As Director of External Affairs across the Bild Group of four small charities (with collective turnover of approx. £3m/yr), you will have a deep commitment to human rights and improving people’s lives.

You will provide strategic direction and leadership to the External Relations function across all four charities in the group, taking overall responsibility for and providing thought-leadership on our strategic approach to policy, influencing, public affairs, stakeholder engagement. 

You will play a lead role in planning, developing, and implementing the communication and external relations and wider engagement strategic plan to grow awareness and profile of Bild, Respond, Restraint Reduction Network (RRN) and ACT.

By sharing the impact of our work and programmes in improving the lives of people with learning disabilities, autism and /or mental health conditions, you will support Bild in becoming the sector leading provider of organisational and workforce development (and RRN in becoming the leading charity in reducing restrictive practices globally – and Respond as leaders in trauma informed therapy).

You will champion Bild and RRN’s brand, vision, mission and values acting as an ambassador for the organisation both internally and externally to partners, stakeholders and media.

Key Responsibilities and Duties: 

Strategic Leadership:  

• Develop and implement an integrated communications and external relations strategy across the four charities in the group to raise our profile and to influence change which positively impacts on our beneficiaries, aligning media, campaigning, and public affairs with the charity’s mission and strategic priorities 

• Lead and inspire a high-performing team including Membership and Events Officer, Resources Coordinator and comms team as required 

Comms & Marketing:

• Plan, develop and implement strategic communications and marketing plans to maximise awareness of the Bild Group of charities across the broad spectrum of communications disciplines including media relations, stakeholder management, influencer engagement, ethical (impact focused) marketing, social and new media and the production of new materials and resources 

• Write, develop and produce materials such as infographics, press releases, briefing documents, media statements and online information suitable for stakeholders, including people with lived experience

• Ensure effective marketing across all four charities focusing on impact and including ensuring we attend a range of external events and that all four websites are best practice. 

Influencing & Public Affairs:  

• Working with the CEO, you will drive policy change by developing strategies to influence key decision makers through building relationships with parliamentarians, government departments, and sector stakeholders to ensure the charity's policy agenda is impactful 

• Lead proactive and reactive media engagement, calls and requests for information in order to capitalise on suitable opportunities for maximising the reach and impact of all four charities

• Build our credibility as a thought leader in the sector 

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships:  

• Build and sustain strategic alliances with senior civil servants, civil society groups, and community partners to increase the organization's influence and impact 

• Develop effective stakeholder relationship management processes that ensure partnerships of all levels are provided with a rich, immersive engagement experience with the organisation and the work that we do 

• Identify, liaise with and ensure positive relationships with key stakeholders – internal and external including media, government departments, partners, charities, providers, customers, other relevant parties to secure maximum impact for all four charities and their beneficiaries

Reputation, Brand Management & Marketing:  

• Champion the Bild group brands, promoting the mission, values and impact of the organisation and ensuring consistent, engaging narratives and high-quality storytelling across all external channels

• Shaping the charity's profile and protecting its reputation through media relations, digital engagement, and consistent key messaging and building our credibility as thought leaders in sector. 

Membership, Events & Communities:  

• By ensuring appropriate, effective and engaging communications to all relevant audiences and stakeholders, your role will support the growth and development of our membership, Communities of Practice and the event programme (including webinars and conferences).

• Effectively plan, manage and lead a range of events for the Bild group of charities and associated marketing and communications

• Develop framework for Communities of Practice and strategy for engagement and growth 

• Supporting Bild and RRN spokespeople with PR and media outreach

• Keep abreast of communications and engagement activity within the sector and demonstrate an awareness of the impact these may have on existing and future communications activity

General Responsibilities 

• Contribute to evaluation and assessment of results against KPIs and tracking activity

• Allocate, manage and evaluate budget spend

• Identify resource requirements for activity across Bild group

• Develop and maintain systems, databases and procedures to support Bild group communication activities

• Plan, monitor, appraise and report progress of activity regularly with an innate understanding of how this supports activity across the Bild group

• Plan, manage and oversee budgetary spend related to outsourcing specialist activities such as video editing and design

• Ensure communications and marketing work complies with data protection and other legal, professional and agency requirements, standards and policies

• Support the senior leadership team on any activity as required. 

Personal Development  

• Be part of a culture of quality in all areas of communications, PR and marketing

• Participate and contribute to individual performance appraisal and supervision sessions

• Keep abreast of relevant initiatives and developments within the adult health and social care, education & disability sector and the wider communications / engagement profession

• Undertake relevant training, as necessary including accessing new systems and software as required to support the role.

Organisational Responsibilities: 

• Access and work within Bild’s policies and procedures.  

• Attend internal cycle of team meetings relevant to this role.  

• Engage with line management, supervision (where appropriate) and appraisal process.  

• Comply with data protection regulations, ensuring that information on clients, employees, volunteers and other stakeholders remains confidential.  

• Take responsibility for personal learning and development with support from line manager.  

• Work in a manner that facilitates equal opportunities and inclusion for all.  

• Remain professional and respectful at all times, promoting positive relations with all those we encounter in our work.  

• Maintain health and safety and risk awareness for self and others across the organisation.  

• Undertake any other duties that Bild may require within the remit of this role.  

This job description does not form part of the contract of employment. It is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review with the postholder at their annual appraisal.  

Person Specification  

Job Title 

Director of External Relations 

• Exceptional copy writing and verbal communication skills

• Good presenting, negotiating and influencing skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build mutually beneficial relationships

• The ability to work effectively within a small team

• Ability to work under pressure, and plan, manage, and adapt own workload

• A flexible, proactive and problem-solving approach to work

• A motivated attitude and ability to work on own initiative 

• A commitment to human rights and modelling accessibility and inclusion throughout activity

• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours as demanded by the post

• Fit to undertake the duties of the post. 

Experience/Skills/Competencies 

Essential 

• Significant experience working in communications, policy and PR with demonstrable success

• PR and media management experience, including both online and traditional PR

• Experience of managing and implementing social media plans, including post development, scheduling, evaluation and monitoring feedback

• Experience of overseeing the design and production of print and electronic publications, including website management and development

• Experience of managing CRM systems and ensuring effective data capture and utilising data to inform decision making

• Ability to analyse data and shape results into reports that inform decision making

• Ability to build effective relationships and networks and establish credibility for Bild, RRN, Respond and Bild ACT 

• Ability to work collaboratively and develop positive relationships with colleagues, members and wider stakeholders

• Demonstrated digital comms / social media skills and understanding of emerging digital marketing tools and platforms

• Ability to use a variety of IT packages/databases including CRM systems.

• Experience managing budgets and associated reporting

• Ability to work remotely and regularly travel to in person events

• Time management skills and ability to prioritise workload under pressure as part of a small but vibrant team

• Strong awareness and interest in news/current affairs/politics and the broader third sector, social care and education sector. 

Desirable 

• Experience working in the not-for-profit sector, preferably in another disability and/or membership charity

• Strong understanding of education, health, social care, disability and not for profit environment

• Strong media contacts within relevant trade sector publications

• Ability to use externally managed media databases (such as Agility etc.)

• Experience with conferences, webinars and hybrid events. 

• Experience supporting and manging a remote team

Education and Qualifications: 

Other Requirements: 

• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities and able to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.  

• Regular travel to attend meetings and events. 

• Occasional evening meetings.  

Legal requirements: 

• Enhanced DBS check. 

Are you passionate about supporting children and young people affected by domestic abuse? Do you want to make a real difference through therapeutic support in a trauma-informed, child-centred environment? Join Acorns as a Mental Health & Wellbeing Project Worker.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and empathetic Mental Health & Wellbeing Project Worker to contribute to the development and delivery of flexible support services which address the psychological and emotional needs of children, young people and families living with the effects of domestic abuse, in North Tyneside and Northumberland. You will help to develop, organise and facilitate key aspects of the service as requested by the Team Coordinator such one-to-one support interventions, group work, and youth participation opportunities in a variety of settings including in-house, schools and community venues. Post is to be predominantly based in Northumberland.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver flexible one to one support sessions, using a range of interventions to assess and positively contribute to the individual wellbeing needs of children and young people impacted by domestic abuse.
• Support service users, particularly within the 11-16 age group to develop personal and life skills, promoting self-esteem and independence, and raising awareness of other support services and opportunities available to them and their families.
• Contribute to the planning and delivery of group work, activities and events, including the continued development of service user participation
• Work in partnership with statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure coordinated care and refer service users to additional sources of help and protection as needed.
• Adhere to safeguarding, confidentiality, and equal opportunities policies while maintaining accurate and confidential records, reporting appropriately, and complying with organisational guidelines.
• Participate in training, supervision, and team activities, contributing flexibly to service development and supporting broader organisational goals as required by management.

About You

• Holds qualifications and relevant experience in social care, childcare, youth work, or a therapeutic field
• Experience working directly with children and young people with an excellent understanding of common issues relating to child development, mental health and wellbeing
• Experienced in one-to-one casework, group facilitation, youth programmes, and multi-agency working, with a proven ability to assess needs and connect individuals to appropriate support services.
• Effective communicator with the ability to engage sensitively and non-judgementally with service users, demonstrating empathy, professionalism, and a commitment to empowering individuals.
• Skilled in managing workloads, maintaining accurate records, writing reports, and meeting deadlines under pressure, with strong time management and attention to detail.
• A motivated, flexible team player who values equality and diversity, and brings creativity and initiative to their practice.
• Driver with access to a reliable vehicle for work purposes. This role involves frequent travel to and from locations across North Tyneside and Northumberland to meet the varied needs of service users.

Please note, that an enhanced DBS check will be required.

Why join us?

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a positive, compassionate and impact-driven team. You’ll enjoy flexible working arrangements and autonomy in your role, opportunities for professional development and training, a supportive environment, reflective supervision, and the chance to help shape our systems for the better.

We warmly welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to equal opportunities.

Ready to apply? Download the candidate pack and get started! We’ll invite you to send us your CV and a short supporting statement outlining your experience and fit for the role.

If you are committed to empowering children and young people and want to be part of a team making lasting change, we’d love to hear from you.

Please make sure you include in/with your CV and personal statement:

• Name, previous names, and address.
• Education and training history, including any qualifications and the awarding body, any relevant training recently undertaken and any professional memberships.
• A full employment history in chronological order.
• Details of any convictions, spent and unspent. Details of any relation to the organisation or staff.
• A signed & dated declaration confirming that information provided is true, with no omissions. You must understand that providing false details can lead to rejection or dismissal, plus a possible referral to the police.
• All of the above information is only used to assess the candidate suitability, and will be treated with the strictest confidentiality, and stored and retained according to our GDPR policies and procedures which are available upon request.

Equality & Diversity Statement

Acorns will be proactive in all matters relating to equality of opportunity and diversity. We value and will celebrate the benefits brought to our organisation by a diverse population within our communities, services, staff and volunteers team, and Board of Trustees. We commit to creating an environment, through training, practice and policy, where Trustees, employees, volunteers and service users are encouraged by example and guidance to confront and challenge discrimination where and whenever it arises, whether between colleagues or in any other area of the organisation’s work.

Acorns commits to:

• Actively challenge discrimination;
• Ensure that all staff, volunteers and service users are treated fairly;
• Make sure that our activities and services are truly accessible to all who might benefit;
• Work collaboratively with other organisations to address inequality; 
• Work to promote an organisational culture of diversity;
• Strive to ensure that the profile of trustees, staff and volunteers reflects the wider communities within which we operate.

Everyone engaging with Acorns, as a servicer user, volunteer, or staff member, will be expected at all times to treat other people with respect and consideration. Our full Equality & Diversity Policy is available upon request.

Safeguarding Statement

Acorns believes that no child, young person or adult should ever experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and keep them safe. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them, to promoting their well-being and enjoyment and protecting their health, safety and general welfare while in the company, employ or care of Acorns staff or volunteers. Safeguarding and protection of those at risk is everyone’s business; it is everyone’s duty to report any safeguarding concerns to the relevant agency. We also practice Safer Recruitment practices. Our full safeguarding policies are available upon request.