Sands exists to save babies’ lives and ensure that anyone affected by pregnancy loss or baby death receives the support and care they need.
Bereaved parents and families are at the heart of why Sands exists. Sharing their experiences of pregnancy and baby loss, and what connects and involves them with our work, is both an important part of their bereavement journey and a way to demonstrate the need for our vision and mission to succeed. This role will help us to show in a real and human, authentic way, what Sands is doing to save babies’ lives and support bereaved families.
Sharing these personal stories in external communications will help us reach more people, bringing to life the work we do in a way that engages diverse audiences, and increasing the likelihood of their taking actions in support of Sands.
This new role has been developed to support the Communications & Engagement team to develop our story-telling function, build our real stories library and ensure the associated consent and stewardship processes are compassionate, efficient and effective. The Stories Officer will ensure wherever possible, that external communications assets and content created by teams across Sands includes the voices of people touched by pregnancy and baby loss – including those who have been personally affected, and those who are allies of Sands, such as healthcare professionals, corporate partners, research partners, fundraisers and more.
You will have experience of working in a charity stories or communications team, or in a stories-led environment such as journalism.
A good knowledge of compliance and safeguarding issues, including experience of working with vulnerable people in a communications context is required.
With excellent written communication and creative skills, you will be able to produce work that captures and conveys real life experiences in a sensitive and compassionate tone.
You will be highly organised with the ability to multi-task and work across more than one project simultaneously.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
VCFSE Capacity Building Manager
About us
Community Action Suffolk (CAS) is the county’s infrastructure organisation for the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector. We exist to ensure our sector, and its volunteers are supported, safe and sustainable and that our communities are active and resilient.
Our values of collaborative, enabling, person centered, responsive and trusted are the golden thread which runs through who we are and how we operate, and we aim to make them real every day.
About the role
Are you passionate about enabling the Voluntary Sector in Suffolk to thrive and support the local community? Do you enjoy engaging, motivating and influencing people?
If so we have an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and energetic individual to join our management team at CAS.
In this role we are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic manager to support, develop and manage a talented team which delivers high-quality person-centered services to VCFSE organisations.
As the Capacity Building Manager your responsibilities will include;
- Leading the development and alignment of the VCFSE Organisational Development services team to achieve its KPIs.
- Working with Deputy Director of Operations and Business Development to grow existing services and explore new opportunities and income growth for service development.
- Write funding applications and proposals to secure resources for new and existing services.
- Manage and create budgets, ensuring cost-effective service delivery and financial control.
- Drive business strategy to meet organisational targets and standards.
- Provide effective and inclusive leadership to the VCFSE Organisational Development services team which focuses on best practices and quality outcomes.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, commissioners, funders, and voluntary sector organisations.
The successful candidate should have previous experience of managing staff, strong interpersonal and communication skills, attention to detail and a flexible and self-motivated approach. You should also have excellent organisational and prioritisation skills as there will often be the need to manage a busy and varied workload. Regular travel around the county is required for this role therefore candidates will need a driving license.
If you are interested in the role and would like to learn more, please visit our website.
We are a friendly organisation, committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive culture in all that we do, and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We aim to create a workplace which is welcoming, fair, and inclusive, where people can be themselves and contribute to our vision and values.
We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, or on commencement of post.
What we offer
You will work within a reputable charity which offers its employees benefits which include:
- Blended working where role allows
- Flexible working options to support work/life balance
- 33 days increasing to a maximum 36 (FTE) annual holiday which includes an allowance for bank holidays
- Up to 4% matched pension contribution
- 2 days pro rata volunteering days to support volunteering in Suffolk
- Staff Discounts Scheme for a range of retailers including; shopping, holidays, insurance, eating out and health and leisure activities
- Company Sick Pay Scheme
- Continued Professional Development for job related development
- Family Friendly policies and practices
- Tailored induction
Closing date for applications: 9.00am Wednesday 18th June 2025
Interviews will take place the weeks commencing 23rd & 30th June 2025
Community Action Suffolk’s mission is to strengthen and champion community action in Suffolk by supporting the VCFSE sector

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.