An exciting opportunity has come up to oversee the operational management and delivery of our burgeoning volunteer-led music and mental health charity. We are looking for a new Community & Operations Lead who has a track record of working holistically and empathetically in line with best practice to effectively manage and grow our services at an operational level; support the ongoing safe recruitment and retention of volunteers through our volunteer pathway; build and support community engagement; manage our two studio sites; and design, develop and manage exciting projects informed by our community members’ vision in collaboration with the Strategy & Fundraising Lead.
Our new Community & Operations Lead will be a calm and reassuring presence with a track record of facilitating positive working relationships, co-productive and person-centred approaches, and intersectional working in order to support our work addressing local health inequalities and reducing the health, social and financial barriers to creativity and support that local people face.
Seed Studios is a music and mental health charity based at Old Trafford Wellbeing Centre and Broomwood Community Wellbeing Centre working with adults aged 18+. From our centres, we support positive mental health and culture in Trafford through...
- our weekly volunteer-led Community Music Wellbeing Workshops, in which adults learn new instruments and disciplines in sessions proven to improve confidence, skills, connections and mental & emotional wellbeing
- our 1-to-1 music tuition and peer support which compliments support that individuals receive from our Trafford, Manchester and Salford health partners
- our inspiring and community-building events such as Open Mics and our annual Celebrate Seed Studios event
- our innovative partnership programmes, like our monthly workshop series with older adults charity String of Hearts, and our fortnightly In Harmony workshops in partnership with Dementia Disco and Trafford Choices.
In 2025, We enabled over 800 hours of free volunteer-led sessions with an annual footfall of over 2500 as well as 24 hours of free, 1-to-1 music tuition support for referrals from our health partners every month.
We envision a world in which all can access the creative, health, social and personal value that music can provide
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
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Rural Housing Enabler
Hours: up to 34 hours per week available for the role.
Working days and hours to be agreed with the successful candidate
Location: Office base Brightspace, Ipswich or Kirkley Centre, Lowestoft with blended/hybrid working
Term: Fixed Term to 31 March 2027 (potential to extend subject to funding)
Salary: £31,295 Fulltime (pro rata £28,374.13)
Start date: As soon as possible
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 centred, 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
We are seeking a Rural Housing Enabler to join our friendly team and help tackle the rural housing challenges in Suffolk.
In this role, you will:
- Play a crucial part in increasing the supply of affordable housing in Suffolk
- Engage with communities and provide a range of support including:
- Raising awareness of the need for affordable housing
- Facilitating initial discussions to assess need
- Gather evidence of need around rural housing
- Liaise and engage with stakeholders
- Assist parishes throughout the journey of developing their own local housing schemes
In this role, clear communication is essential. You’ll be presenting to a range of audiences, and working in partnership with communities / community leaders, parish councils, district and county authorities, landowners, developers, housing organisations, and other partners to bring forward affordable rural housing projects in Suffolk. Good IT skills, and the ability to build strong relationships are crucial.
Although this role is predominately desk space there will be some travel around the county and within rural areas of Suffolk. Access to a car is advantageous.
The ideal candidate will have the following experience/skills:
- Excellent working knowledge of the issues affecting housing in Suffolk, and other issues affecting rural communities
- Experience/ understanding of working in supporting rural communities thorough consultation for affordable and/or community led housing
- A good understanding of the principles of quality community consultation
- Working with local authorities, parish councils, housing associations and similar organisations
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
If you are interested in a role which is community led and focused on rural issues within Suffolk we would like to hear from you.
For more information please visit our website for more information on who to contact.
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 (FTE) 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
For more information and an application pack please visit our website.
Applications for this role will be reviewed and considered on an ongoing basis until the role is filled. Interviews will be arranged according to availability.
We therefore encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment, as we reserve the right to close this job listing once a successful candidate is appointed.
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.