Programmes graduate trainee jobs

About Spear York

In York, Spear is partnering with York Vineyard Church, which is part of the Vineyard network of churches.

The mission of York Vineyard church is to further the gospel of Jesus Christ, build up the faith of Christian believers, share in the training of workers, promote Christian education, advance the Kingdom of God and bring relief to the poor, the needy, the sick and elderly.

“Since hearing about the Spear Programme we have seen how well the coaching focusses on mindset, as well as skills, with the aim to support young people to thrive in the workplace, looking beyond just an initial job offer”.

Spear is a dynamic, growing youth employment charity that coaches young people to overcome barriers and thrive in work and life. We do this through the Spear Programme. 

Key Information:

• Salary: £24,000 FTE
• Part-time, Permanent - Tuesday to Thursday
• 28 days annual leave pro rata, including bank holidays
• Closing date: Wednesday 6th May (we interview on a rolling basis and may close the role early if we find the right candidate)
• Assessment day: Wednesday 13th May

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process please let us know.

We deliver the Spear Programme in partnership with York Vineyard Church. We'd love you to take a moment to read their statement of beliefs and do get in touch if you'd like to chat or have any questions.

Person Specification

• An active Christian, able to personally represent the values of Spear and York Vineyard Church, and a commitment to grow and learn spiritually and as a Christian leader.
• A confidence in group facilitation, and a desire to learn and understand coaching techniques.
• Passion for social justice and for working as part of the church to transform communities, especially supporting young people in employment or education.
• An ambitious and self-motivated individual with the ability to exercise initiative, prioritise workload and work well under pressure.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• High emotional intelligence, and a sense of humour and fun!

CARIS Families is a small charity that supports homeless families living in hostel accommodation in Camden and Hackney.We run play and learning activities for children aged 0-16 from within 4 hostels in these boroughs, as well as a school holiday day trip programme and an Essentials Bank to ease family hardship.Our services for children aim to reduce the stress on children and parents of living in overcrowded, insecure accommodation, and to put back some of the vital childhood experiences that homeless accommodation deprives children of. 

We are currently looking for a trainee playworker who is looking to build a career working with children to join our dedicated frontline play team.You do not need to have any formal experience of playwork, but you do need to be passionate about working with children and supporting them to achieve their potential, and to be able to demonstrate this through previous work or volunteering experience.

This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate, offering a rare entry-level role which alongside providing plenty of on-the-job training, will also fully sponsor their training towards the Level 2 Diploma in Playwork following successful completion of the probationary period.

Our new Playworker will: 

Role Description 

• Help to deliver our hostel-based Kids Club’s play session for 0-16 year olds during term time in the London Borough of Camden

• Help to deliver our School Holiday programme during school holidays (in Camden, Hackney and the wider London area) 

• Support the running of our term-time Essential Bank programme, providing free household goods to families in hostels 

• Provide a warm and welcoming experience for children & their families attending CARIS Families’ services

• Engage with children in their play and learning experiences, through staff-led activities and supporting child-led play. 

Person Specification 

We are looking for someone at the start of their career (or a career-changer) who is: 

• Experienced in working or volunteering within a play-based setting, with children between the ages of 0-16.

• Enthusiastic about supporting children in their free play and facilitating adult-led activities that stretch and stimulate children in their development 

• Passionate about improving opportunities for disadvantaged children 

• Understanding of the varied needs of children and their families 

• Good communicators, comfortable with working with a wide range of service users and professionals 

• Able to work well as part of a team.

Salary: £14 per hour 

Contract: 12 months initially, with a three month probation period, and the possibility of extension beyond 12 months subject to funding.Training for the Level 2 diploma will commence after successful completion of the probation period.

Hours:12 hours across three days a week in term time (40 weeks a year), Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.Please note on Kids Club days the working day ends at 6pm.One day a week (8 hrs) in school holidays (12 weeks a year), days variable.25 days per year Annual Leave (pro rata) with an additional week off over Christmas. 

Your pay will be equalized out across the 12 months of the year so you receive a consistent salary each month. 

About Spear Stockton

Spear Stockton is a partnership between Spear and Stockton Parish Church!

Stockton Parish Church 
Stockton Parish Church (SPC) is an Anglican Church in the Diocese of Durham located in the centre of Stockton on Tees. Using Church Urban Fund information, the parish is the 30th most deprived parish in the country. Their mission at SPC is: ‘for everyone to know who they are, whose they are, and the difference they are called to make in the world around them’. 

As part of this vision, SPC is committed to the long-term transformation of Stockton, seeking the peace and prosperity of the town for generations to come. This is expressed through a number of initiatives and partnerships, including the development of the Spear Centre. Spear Stockton forms part of this wider strategy, supporting young people into work and education as a key contribution to the flourishing of the local community.

Key Information:

• Salary: from £24,598 - £26,458 FTE
• Part-time, 3 days a week - Tuesday to Thursday
• 25 days annual leave pro rata, including bank holidays
• A DBS check will be requested in the event of a job offer
• The Spear Programme offers a rewarding opportunity to work with young people, but it requires a dedicated commitment. Due to the term-based nature of the programme (i.e. two consecutive 4-week programmes in autumn, spring and summer), we expect annual leave to be taken between, rather than during terms

Recruitment Process

Application Deadline: 28th April 2026

Informal Call

Short Administration Task

Assessment and Interview Day: 5th May 2026

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process please let us know.

Person Specification

• Passionate and committed to the vision, values, and purpose of SPC and Spear.
• Self aware and teachable with the ability to accept feedback and change working 
  practices as a result.
• Experience of managing responsibilities independently, including prioritising workload and using initiative.
• Experience of building positive relationships and supporting individuals to make progress towards goals. 
• Good organisational skills with the ability to operate as a team member.
• Strong communication including written and verbal communication.
• Friendly, with the ability to build positive relationships and relate well to people from a range of backgrounds.

We’re looking for passionate individuals with personal experience of homelessness, bad housing, which may include other related disadvantages such as substance misuse and mental ill-health; to come and join us and make a difference to the way we do things. If you believe that people should have a say in their own support and that they should be at the front of making meaningful change then this could be the traineeship for you.

About the role

The GROW trainee will be working with our specialist Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Recovery Service which supports people with current or previous substance misuse to maintain their home and live independently and with our Home at Last Team that supports people with current substance issues who are not in structured drug or alcohol treatment/have difficulties engaging with treatment, who are currently or at significant risk of rough sleeping to access temporary accommodation and resettle longer term.

This vacancy is an opportunity for you to gain experience working with a leading provider of homelessness and housing advice and support. You will be part of a thriving Hub of advice and support services in Sheffield, supporting vulnerable people. The traineeship is open to anyone who has previously experienced any form of substance misuse and can bring their insight of how substance misuse affects housing need.  The GROW trainee programme is an opportunity for us as an organisation to learn from your expertise. You will help us to develop our services in Sheffield and across Shelter at a national level, ensuring that they follow the principles of co-production and being trauma informed. You will use your experiences to bring knowledge and insight to influence this work.  You will also have the opportunity to be involved in other projects within the Hub.

You'll support local campaigns and strengthen connections between the lived experience involvement group and the Hub, making sure lived experiences are valued and included.

Role specifics

We are looking for people who are passionate about the opportunity to use their own life experiences to help make positive change for others.

You’ll also need a commitment to equality and a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and exclusion.

Good communication skills and the ability to make people feel heard will also be essential.

Basic computer skills, e.g. word processing, the internet and email would be useful, but support can be provided.

Above all, we need people with a real desire to develop personally and learn new skills.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Benefits 

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About the team

Shelter Sheffield has been providing housing advice and support to the city’s residents for over 20 years, specialising in emergency homelessness work, intensive support to children and families, people experiencing domestic abuse, and people experiencing multiple disadvantage. We offer a range of help to people in the community – including high intensity support, legal representation, housing advice, practical DIY assistance, and employment, training, and welfare benefits advice.  This model, while focusing on housing and homelessness, ensures that we can help an individual or family to address a range of inter-connected issues that may be impacting on their ability to sustain accommodation and thrive within the community. These issues include physical and mental health conditions, drug and alcohol use, income and money management, and domestic abuse.

We deliver housing and homelessness awareness raising and targeted advice sessions in a range of community settings. We aim to build the understanding and capacity of communities to take action on housing issues for themselves. We work in partnership and collaboration with many organisations to address the broken housing system.

This role is ring-fenced for those with lived experience of multiple disadvantage.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies. 

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Interviews will be held on Thursday 28th May 9:45-14:30

This role is ring-fenced for those with lived experience of multiple disadvantage.

Come and join us

We’re looking for passionate individuals with personal experience of homelessness, bad housing, which may include other related disadvantages such as substance misuse and mental ill-health; to come and join us and make a difference to the way we do things. If you believe that people should have a say in their own support and that they should be at the front of making meaningful change then this could be the traineeship for you.

About the role
The GROW Trainee will support people who are experiencing homelessness to move through the project towards self-advocacy. Using a supportive and respectful approach, the trainee will build positive relationships, help people recognise their strengths, set personal goals, and develop the skills to speak up for themselves. They will support individuals to understand and access services, make informed choices about their health and wellbeing, and feel more in control of their lives.

You'll support local campaigns and strengthen connections between the lived experience involvement group and the Hub, making sure lived experiences are valued and included.

Role specifics
We are looking for people who are passionate about the opportunity to use their own life experiences to help make positive change for others.

You’ll also need a commitment to equality and a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and exclusion.

Good communication skills and the ability to make people feel heard will also be essential.

Basic computer skills, e.g. word processing, the internet and email would be useful, but support can be provided.

Above all, we need people with a real desire to develop personally and learn new skills.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Benefits 
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About the team
Shelter Greater Manchester is made up of several different teams and services including the Housing Rights Team, Legal Services, Early Help Adult Navigators, GROW Campus, Fundraising, Lived Experience, Volunteering and My Health Matters. 

The role will primarily be based within the My Health Matter Project.

My Health Matters is a peer-led inclusion health project that works towards an inclusive health system where everyone has access to the health care they need. The project delivers a Homeless Health Peer Advocacy service which supports people experiencing homelessness to address physical and mental health needs. We work to improve people’s confidence in using health services and increase their ability to access healthcare independently. The project brings together frontline health and social care services with those with lived experience supporting the co-production of solutions to health inequalities in Manchester.

Supporting your application

We will be holding a support session at our hub in Manchester to give people practical support and advice on how to create a CV or supporting statement to apply for the role, or to pick up a paper application. These sessions will also give you the chance to find out more about the role as well as other opportunities at Shelter Manchester If you would like to come along, please contact us to book a slot. This will take place on the following date: 

Friday 8th May between 11:00-12:30 – The application support session will be held at Shelter, Swan Buildings, 20 Swan Street, M4 5JW

We operate Fair Chance Recruitment practices and will not ask for any information about convictions during the application process. This role is subject to a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. We are open to and inclusive of applicants with criminal convictions for this role; having a criminal conviction will not prevent us from considering you. 

Following the interview stage, we will ask our preferred applicant to disclose any past unspent convictions. The information disclosed will be considered by a panel and a decision will be taken about making an offer.

This role is ring-fenced for those with lived experience of multiple disadvantage.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies. 

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

About Spear Stockton

Spear Stockton is a partnership between Spear and Stockton Parish Church!

Stockton Parish Church 
Stockton Parish Church (SPC) is an Anglican Church in the Diocese of Durham located in the centre of Stockton on Tees. Using Church Urban Fund information, the parish is the 30th most deprived parish in the country. Their mission at SPC is: ‘for everyone to know who they are, whose they are, and the difference they are called to make in the world around them’. 

As part of this vision, SPC is committed to the long-term transformation of Stockton, seeking the peace and prosperity of the town for generations to come. This is expressed through a number of initiatives and partnerships, including the development of the Spear Centre. Spear Stockton forms part of this wider strategy, supporting young people into work and education as a key contribution to the flourishing of the local community.

Key Information:

• Salary: from £27,088 - £31,691 FTE
• Part-time, 4 days a week - Monday to Thursday
• 25 days annual leave pro rata, including bank holidays
• A DBS check will be requested in the event of a job offer
• The Spear Programme offers a rewarding opportunity to work with young people, but it requires a dedicated commitment. Due to the term-based nature of the programme (i.e. two consecutive 4-week programmes in autumn, spring and summer), we expect annual leave to be taken between, rather than during terms

Recruitment Process

Application Deadline: 28th April 2026

Informal Call

Short Administration Task

Assessment and Interview Day: 5th May 2026

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process please let us know.

Person Specification

• Passionate and committed to the vision, values, and purpose of SPC and Spear.
• Self aware and teachable with the ability to accept feedback and change working 
  practices as a result.
• Experience in leading, motivating and developing others, including line management or informal leadership experience.
• Experience of managing a varied workload independently, using initiative to solve problems and prioritise effectively.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage workload, prioritise effectively and deliver outcomes against targets.
• Strong communication including written and verbal communication.
• Friendly, with the ability to build positive relationships and relate well to young people from a range of backgrounds.

Hours: Full time with 20% study time

Pay: £22,380

Duration: 20 months

Location: UK-Med Office, Manchester (Hybrid working available)

Are you a capable individual with a passion for Fundraising and making a difference in the world?

UK-Med is a frontline medical aid charity. Born of the NHS, we’ve been working for over 30 years towards a world where everyone has the healthcare they need when crises or disasters hit.

Our Fundraising Team plays a vital role in ensuring we can deliver lifesaving medical care by inspiring supporters to give and supporting them throughout their fundraising journey. The team works closely with individuals, communities and partners to raise funds that directly support UK-Med’s humanitarian responses worldwide.

We are recruiting for a Fundraising Apprentice who will support a range of fundraising activities, with a particular focus on supporter care, fundraising administration, and campaign support. This apprenticeship will provide you with hands-on experience and the opportunity to learn and grow within an international humanitarian charity.

Our ideal candidate will be eager to learn, able to work at pace, manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and have a passion for building a career in fundraising. You will have strong organisational and interpersonal skills and be able to demonstrate excellent attention to detail.

We offer a competitive apprenticeship salary and benefits, along with a friendly working environment and the opportunity to make a real difference through an important role supporting our humanitarian work.

Please note: This role is only available for applicants aged 18 years and above due to the nature of our work, possible deployment requirement for all of our roles, and the hours and flexibility in working requirements needed. UK-Med has risk assessed that our work environment cannot be made reliably suitable for under 18s.

How to apply

We strongly recommend that you read the Candidate Information Pack – Fundraising Apprentice - April 2026 before applying for this role.

To apply, please submit a current CV and a supporting letter (2 pages) through our online jobs portal.

Response to the following question:

• A detailed explanation of your suitability for this post with specific reference to the essential criteria in the person specification

Please apply as soon as possible and no later than Friday 7th May 2026.

Applications for work in the UK can only be accepted from people with an existing right to work in the UK.

Apply if in a Different Field or Higher Level, Especially for Those Without Related Experience or Qualifications

UK-Med is committed to safeguarding of our personnel and beneficiaries and has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation and abuse. We conduct thorough vetting before any appointment is confirmed.

UK-Med is committed to the principles of diversity, equality, and inclusion. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive environment where employees feel respected and supported to be able to fulfil their potential.

Communications Manager 

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Communications Manager to help bring our mission and impact to life.

Reporting to the Head of Communications & Transformation, you’ll lead on high-quality, engaging communications that support our programmes, partnerships and organisational goals.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and delivering social media content and managing day-to-day channels
• Producing compelling written, visual and video content, including impact case studies
• Copywriting for our website, email campaigns and publications
• Delivering internal communications to support colleague engagement
• Supporting stakeholder communications and marketing campaigns
• Developing and implementing brand assets 

About you

You’ll be an experienced communications professional, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple priorities. You’ll bring creativity, strong organisational skills and a passion for social impact.

Essential experience includes:

• Experince of working in an internal communications-based role
• Excellent planning and project management skills
• Strong writing, editing and visual content skills
• Experience managing social media channels
• Video editing skills (Adobe Premiere Pro)
• Experience using Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)
• Experience with email platforms such as Campaign Monitor (or similar)

For full details of the role and our rewards and benefits package, please view the candidate pack.

How to apply

Please apply via CharityJob with your CV and a cover letter.

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 5 May at 9am
Interviews: Interviews are intended to take place week commencing 18 May

Are you ready to guide and inspire a skilled team delivering life changing mental health and wellbeing support to children, young people and families? 

This is your opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our amazing Central and West Lancashire Mental Health Support Team (MHST).

You will work closely with the Service Manager to lead high quality services that deliver on our promises and make a real difference in schools, communities and family homes. This is a role where every decision you make can create lasting change, from setting service priorities and building strong partnerships to ensuring safe, effective and compassionate care for the people we support.

You will take responsibility for service performance, staff leadership, safeguarding, contract management, risk management and building meaningful relationships with partner organisations.

With the freedom to innovate and the support of a dedicated leadership team, you will ensure our services not only meet but exceed expectations.

Doing the best we can do can go a long way in building brighter futures for children, young people and their families, we need your help to make this happen!

Please note - this role is expected to start in September 2026
 

We are looking for someone who brings proven leadership experience in mental health or community services, with the confidence to manage contracts, people, performance and change whilst ensuring that values lie at the heart of everything they do. You will need:

• Experience of leading services delivering evidence based interventions for children and young people
• Strong skills in contract, risk and performance management
• Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships
• Understanding of safeguarding, governance and quality assurance
• Experience in managing teams with varied professional backgrounds

It would be great if you also bring experience of working in education settings, developing/implementing new services or delivering training. More than anything, you will be driven by the belief that every child and young person deserves to feel safe, heard, supported and valued.

If this opportunity sounds like something you`d grab with both hands…we`d like to hear from you!

 

Compass is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. Established for over 30 years, Compass is a national charity which works in communities across the UK providing services spanning substance misuse treatment and rehabilitation, early interventions for vulnerable young people, school-aged health programmes and associated prevention as well as treatment and health promotion initiatives.

All Compass posts are subject to appropriate level DBS checks.

We positively encourage applications from all members of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age, or sexual orientation, and encourage applications from people who have experiences in life which enrich skills and empathy. This is part of our commitment to equality and developing a truly inclusive and representative workforce.

We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, on commencement, or once in post.

Benefits

We offer a range of benefits including:

• 27 days holiday + bank holidays, rising to 32 days over time (pro rata)
• Life assurance at 2 x basic salary
• Competitive contributory pension scheme
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and OH service
• Enhanced sick pay
• Excellent learning & development opportunities and career progression
• Annual salary review

Help us to make a positive change to the lives of children and young people!

Closing Date: 17.05.2026

Interview Date: 03.06.2026

Help shape a youth-led movement in Downham. Join Circle Collective as our Youth Involvement Lead and work directly with young people to turn their ideas into action, influence real decisions, and open pathways into employment.

At Circle Collective, we believe young people are experts in their own lives. As a London-based youth employment charity, we work alongside communities, partners, and employers to break down barriers and create meaningful opportunities for young people to thrive.

This role sits at the heart of Elevate 100, a vibrant, youth-designed space based in Downham Leisure Centre. Here, young people aged 16–30 access employment support, develop skills, and build confidence in a welcoming, inclusive environment. More than just a service, Elevate 100 is a platform for youth voice, co-production, and real influence.

As Youth Involvement Lead, you’ll be the key link between young people and the project. You’ll coordinate and support the Youth Action Board, helping young people shape decisions, manage budgets, and influence how services are delivered. You’ll facilitate engaging sessions, build trusted relationships, and ensure every young person feels heard, valued, and empowered.

Alongside this, you’ll mentor a small group of young people, supporting them to identify their goals and take steps towards employment, education, or training. You’ll also work closely with partners including Lewisham Council and Phoenix Community Housing, contributing youth insight to strengthen delivery and ensure services truly reflect local needs.

This is a hands-on, people-focused role for someone who is passionate about youth voice, confident facilitating groups, and committed to creating inclusive spaces where young people can grow and lead.

If you’re motivated by social impact and want to help build something genuinely youth-led, we’d love to hear from you.