Service officer jobs in chigwell, greater london

Reporting to:   Communications & Marketing Manager

Contract: Permanent; Full time 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday. Some evening or weekend working will be required as part of this role. 

Location: Hybrid. Home working with minimum of 40% of contracted hours at our office in Welwyn Garden City

Job purpose

The Communications & Marketing Officer is a key role within our busy Communications Team. They will support the wider Willow team in delivering on plans to raise the charity’s profile and increase supporter engagement. The Communications Team supports the communications needs of all teams across the organisation.

Principal responsibilities and duties

• Contribute to, and help to evolve, Willow’s communications activity, including emails, website, marketing and social media
• Work with the Willow teams to plan and deliver a regular calendar of content, ensuring the communication and marketing needs of colleagues across the organisation are met
• Manage the promotion of fundraising campaigns and events
• Engage with press, supporters, beneficiaries, partners, volunteers and medical professionals to help establish Willow as a national brand
• Gather and create engaging content, including case studies, images and videos, to be used to raise awareness of Willow’s work locally and nationally
• Develop and manage working relationships with creative agencies, printers and freelancers to deliver high quality communications, on time and within budget
• Use analytics tools to report back on performance and identify learnings and opportunities
• Attend Willow and third-party events, providing communications support including social media posting, videography, photography and media management
• Work with the managers of Willow’s shops to deliver a program of communications projects and activities to engage new donors and customers
• Work with Communications Team colleagues to plan and deliver activity to support the Digital Comms Strategy, Ambassador & Influencer Strategy, Growth plan and key themes and projects
• Be an active member of the team and charity as a whole and undertake training and skills development and keep up to date with the changing requirements of the role and the external environment
• Undertake other duties that may be required as part of the role

Person Specification 

• Experience of working in a busy marketing/PR/communications team, ideally in a charity environment
• A responsive, confident self-starter who is enthusiastic and highly motivated
• Excellent planning, time-management and organisational skills with ability to stick to timetables for delivery of work and meet deadlines under pressure
• Able to express ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing, with an ability to adjust tone and content appropriately for different target audiences
• Strong copywriting and editing skills with the ability to turn complex information into compelling stories and content
• Ability to think creatively, offering new ideas, concepts and solutions
• Experience of developing multi-channel communications plans and taking a communications campaign forward through different digital and offline channels
• Design skills, particularly in creating and/or overseeing the design of visually appealing digital and non-digital content which adheres to brand guidelines
• Experience of using analytics and other tools to report on performance of campaigns
• Experience of media relations and evaluating media coverage and PR
• Experience of using social media as a professional communications tool
• Experience of producing and editing photo and video content
• Experience of using software including Microsoft, Canva or other design tools, Google Ads, analytics tools, email marketing platforms, website CMS systems (we use Wordpress) and charity databases (we use Raiser’s Edge)
• Organised and able to keep good records for data protection, confidentiality and financial purposes
• Knowledge of the digital charity landscape, including best practice for social media, web content creation and engagement strategies

Other

• Full driving licence required as regular travel across the county will be part of the role, in particular to our retail stores and events. Some national travel may be necessary on occasion.

General

We offer the following competitive benefits package:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Life Assurance and Group Pension Fund
• Season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexible Working policy
• Employee assistance programme

About the role:

We’re looking for a passionate and driven Trusts and Foundations Officer to join our ambitious Fundraising team. Working closely with the Trusts and Foundations Manager, you’ll contribute to our fundraising strategy and help meet annual income targets. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in securing significant funding that helps us deliver life-changing services across London. You’ll work with a supportive and collaborative team to develop compelling proposals and build lasting relationships with funders who share our vision of ending homelessness.

In this role, you’ll take ownership of a varied portfolio of charitable trusts and foundations, managing the full cycle of fundraising - from research and cultivation to writing applications and providing meaningful stewardship. You’ll collaborate closely with colleagues across the organisation to identify funding needs and shape bids that align with SHP’s strategy and impact.

If you’re a confident communicator with a flair for storytelling, relationship-building, and strategic thinking, this role offers the chance to make a tangible difference every day. You’ll have the freedom to bring ideas, grow income, and develop your skills in a dynamic and rewarding environment where your work truly matters.

The team currently works 2 days in the office in Kings Cross and 3 from home. The office days are currently Wednesday and Friday but do often change depending on the demand of meetings/events/week to week responsibilities.

About you:

• At least one year of experience in securing grants from charitable Trusts and Foundations.
• Track record of securing grants from charitable Trusts and Foundations.
• Understanding of and enthusiasm for SHP’s delivery approach and mission and values.
• Highly numerate and attentive to detail.
• Entrepreneurial, results-driven and able to work on own initiative and also as part of a team, meeting deadlines under pressure.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to think strategically.

About us:

Single Homeless Project is a London-wide charity. Our vision is of a society where everyone has a place to call home and the chance to live a fulfilling life.

We help single Londoners by preventing homelessness, providing support and accommodation, promoting wellbeing, enhancing opportunity, and being a voice for change. From supporting people in crisis to helping people take the final steps towards independence and employment, we make a difference to 12,000 lives every year across all 32 boroughs.

We offer you more than a job; we offer you a chance to be part of a compassionate, driven team that's committed to making a real difference in people's lives. You'll have the opportunity to lead, co-create, and inspire change while enjoying a collaborative, growth-oriented environment.

Join us in creating a brighter, more hopeful future for individuals in need. 

Important info:

Closing date: Sunday 22nd June at midnight

Interview date: Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd July Online via Microsoft Teams

Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. 

Team: Media

Location: Remote

Work pattern: 35 hours per week, Mon-Fri

Salary: Up to £35,065.63 per year

Contract: Permanent

We are the UK’s largest cat welfare charity. All over the country, our passionate employees, volunteers and supporters are using their kindness and expertise to make life better for millions of cats and the people who care for them.

Will you join us and make life better for cats?

Responsibilities of our National Media Officer:

- research, write, and sell in stories, features, interviews, and images to media to meet team’s objectives

- identify and maximise opportunities in the news agenda to promote our charity’s work in the national media

- produce compelling and newsworthy stories to support wider campaigns, ensuring maximum press coverage

- share responsibility for the delivery of a planned, comprehensive programme of PR activity

- play a lead role in handling national reputational issues

- respond to media enquiries with factually correct and on- message responses

About the Media team:

Our media team is responsible for securing proactive and reactive press coverage for Cats Protection, ensuring more people are aware of our work. Our team protects and enhances the charity’s reputation and works across cat welfare, services, advocacy, campaigns, and income generation.

What we’re looking for in our National Media Officer:

- CIPR or equivalent professional qualification, or working towards

- experience in a press office or journalism environment

- experience working with national media contacts including news agencies

- experience of handling national reputation issues

- ability to draft reactive statements, Q&A documents and write campaign evaluation reports

- creative and organised, good people skills

- excellent written and verbal communication skills

What we can offer you:

- range of health benefits

- 26 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service

- Salary Finance, which empowers you to take control of your financial wellbeing

- and much more, which you can learn about

Application closing date: 23rd June 2025

Virtual interview date: w/c 7th July 2025

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment. Please note, applications received after the closing date may not be responded to.

If successful, your recruitment journey will include:

1. anonymised application form

2. video screening

3. virtual interview

Please note, the process may change slightly dependent on application numbers. We will inform you of any relevant changes.

Please email [email protected] if you require any adjustments to be made for you to complete your application or to participate in the recruitment journey.

Job description

Join an amazing charity that makes a difference for the 110,000 adults and children in the UK with a muscle-wasting condition. This is a role where you can really make a difference.

The Corporate Partnerships Officer will help manage and support on implementing MDUK’s growing corporate partnerships strategy, playing an instrumental role in prospecting and supporting the delivery of charity partnerships that raise funds for MDUK. A confident individual that understands how to identify, develop, manage and retain corporate partnerships at a regional and national level.

This position is responsible for supporting the Partnerships and Ambassador Engagement Manager in delivering on ambitious income target in relation to employee fundraising, cause-related marketing, and strategic staff-based volunteering.

About us:

Muscular Dystrophy UK is the charity bringing individuals, families and professionals together to fight muscle-wasting conditions. We bring together more than 60 rare and very rare progressive muscle-weakening and wasting conditions, affecting around 110,000 children and adults in the UK. 

We share expert advice and support to live well now; fund groundbreaking research to understand the different conditions better and lead us to new treatments; work with the NHS towards universal access to specialist health; and together, campaign for people’s rights, better understanding, accessibility, and access to treatments.

Benefits:

We appreciate the range of skills and experience our staff have to offer. In return for your enthusiasm and commitment we commit to actively developing and supporting you. We also offer a range of benefits including pension, life assurance, cycle scheme, health cash plan, financial wellbeing and an employee assistance programme.

Location: We operate a hybrid model (home and office, London SE1). 

Closing date: Thursday 26 June

Interviews will be on a rolling basis so early application is recomended

Please download the job description to see full role responsibilities

Could you become a vital part of our collaborative and innovative team to make a lasting difference to families?

We are looking for a Social Worker or Senior Social Worker to join our London team.

We believe that every child deserves a loving and supportive home and we are committed to providing the highest quality services to help make that a reality, and we are proud of our three successive outstanding ratings with Ofsted.

Position: Social Worker or Senior Social Worker

Location: Based in Vauxhall, London with hybrid working arrangements

Contract: Permanent full time - 37 hours per week

Salary:  Starting salary in the range of £34,053 to £41,620 per annum for Social Worker, or £39,292 to £48,022 per annum for Senior Social Worker, depending on skills and experience.  Plus £3,299 per annum location allowance

About the role:

The Social Worker or Senior Social Worker’s role is a pivotal one within our Adoption service.  Some of your responsibilities will include:

· undertaking ‘home study’ assessments (PARs) and present these to the adoption panel

· support families throughout the matching process and once children are placed, up until the Adoption Order

· taking part in recruitment activities and training for prospective adopters

About you:

As a Social Worker, you’ll bring a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in childcare social work and an understanding of child development and the impact on behaviour of interrupted development.

As a Senior Social Worker, you’ll bring a minimum of 3 years post qualification experience in childcare social work, and previous experience of completing adoption assessments (or similar), or family finding/supporting children in their adoptive families.

If this sounds like you then please visit our website and apply today to join a dedicated team who are part of something truly meaningful. You will also find contact details for an informal discussion on our website.

Early applications are encouraged as we may review and appoint on an earlier basis if a successful candidate is secured.

Closing date: 9am, Tuesday 24 June 2025

Interview dates: Tuesday 17 June and Wednesday 02 July 2025

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Adoption Social Worker, Adoption Senior Social Worker, Adoption Support Social Worker, Independent Social Worker, Fostering Social Worker, Independent Reviewing Officer, Supervising Social Worker, Children’s Social Worker, Child Protection or Safeguarding Hub Social Worker, Looked After Children’s Social Worker, etc.

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at PACT. We have robust measures and best practices in place to safeguard and protect the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we take pride in maintaining outstanding safeguarding standards.

Anyone joining our team is subject to PACT’s safer recruitment pre-appointment enquiries, including a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS). The role description provides information on what our safer recruitment enquiries include and the level of DBS required to work in the role.

All opportunities with PACT are based in the UK.

Chief Executive Officer

Location: Flexible (with regular travel to London)
Salary: £65,000–£70,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Alexandra Rose Charity is transforming access to fresh, healthy food for families on low incomes. Through innovative programs like Rose Vouchers for Fruit & Veg and Fruit & Veg on Prescription, we are pioneering financial incentives that improve nutrition, tackle food insecurity, and support local markets. As we enter our next phase of growth, we are seeking a bold, values-driven Chief Executive Officer to lead us forward; scaling our impact while staying true to our mission of ensuring everyone has access to affordable, healthy food.

This is not a typical CEO role. Alexandra Rose Charity is dynamic, purpose-driven, and committed to systemic change. The new CEO will drive a bold organizational strategy, foster a strong and inclusive culture, champion food equity, and ensure that our programs continue to empower communities across the UK.

The successful candidate will bring:

• Proven strategic leadership experience within a mission-driven organization.
• Experience of successful fundraising and stewardship of major funders
• A track record of scaling impact, income, and influence while maintaining a strong commitment to social change.
• Demonstrated ability to engage stakeholders across government, healthcare, and community sectors to drive policy and programmatic innovation.
• A deep commitment to inclusion, equity, and ensuring that healthy food is accessible to all.

If you believe in a future where everyone, regardless of income, can access fresh, nutritious food and are ready to lead a movement for change, we’d love to hear from you. For more infomation please refer to the recruitment pack attched as a PDF.

Community Engagement Officer 

£32,000-£34,000 (dependent on skills and experience) plus generous benefits 

Location – Home-based with occasional travel to Foundation sites and team meet-ups 

We are the Football Foundation - the Premier League, the FA and government’s charity that delivers outstanding grassroots facilities, more and better places to play, transforming lives and communities where it is needed most.  

To help us with this important mission, we currently have a vacancy for a Community Engagement Officer.

As Community Engagement Officer, you’ll be at the heart of delivering positive change through the PlayZones Programme, helping to increase physical activity among priority groups: individuals from low socio-economic backgrounds, women and girls, disabled people and those with long-term health conditions, and culturally diverse communities. 

You’ll manage a portfolio of PlayZones projects, working closely with our Delivery Managers to ensure each project is shaped by meaningful community input, and leading the development and implementation of community engagement plans. 

About the Football Foundation 

Over the last 22 years, the Foundation has awarded more than 23,000 grants to deliver outstanding grassroots facilities across England worth more than £877 million. This year, the Foundation will be investing more money than ever into facilities across England and is committed to improving the experience of playing football for everyone.  

The Foundation’s goal is to unlock the power of pitches ensuring everyone has a great place to play regardless of gender, race, disability or place.  

What are we looking for? 

We’d love to hear from you if you’re a passionate, organised, and community-minded individual with a strong background in community-led project development. You’ll bring proven experience supporting underrepresented or priority groups and addressing inequalities in physical activity, alongside the confidence to lead inclusive meetings and build trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Skilled in juggling multiple projects, you’ll be comfortable managing competing deadlines while maintaining high standards and attention to detail. You’ll have excellent communication skills with the ability to simplify complex processes and engage partners remotely and in person. A natural collaborator and creative problem-solver, you’ll be proactive, adaptable, and able to turn insight into action. Familiarity with capital funding processes, project management tools, and place-based working would be an advantage, but most of all, we’re after someone who shares our values, believes in fairness and inclusion, and is ready to help communities thrive through physical activity. 

 For full details of the role and requirements, please download our recruitment pack below. 

What can we offer you? 

The salary band for this role is £32,000-34,000 per annum, dependent on relevant skills and experience. 

You will start with 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (which increases after 2 years), plus additional time off to volunteer. We also offer a generous pension scheme (8% employer contribution), free health care provision, a monthly gym subsidy, interest-free season ticket loan, death in service benefit and access to selected match tickets. 

Equality and Diversity Commitment

The Football Foundation is committed to and values the principles of diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment where all our team feel respected and supported in fulfilling their potential. We encourage and welcome applications from all, regardless of background and are particularly interested to hear from individuals belonging to under-represented groups including diverse ethnic communities, individuals with a disability and those from the LGBTQI+ community. 

Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process, at either application or interview stage, please contact us.

Closing date for applications: Monday 30 June 2025 at 09:00am

First-stage interviews will be online via Microsoft Teams are scheduled for Monday 7 July 2025 

Second-stage interviews are scheduled for 22 July 2025 and will be held in-person at Wembley Stadium.

Location: To cover the Dorset, Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire area

Working pattern: Remote work with regular travel required. You will deliver a face-to-face service to clients in their own home or safe meeting place within the South West area.

Deadline for applications: 2nd July 2025 (we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications)

Rare opportunity: Help those affected by road crashes and create lasting change with Brake, the renowned road safety charity.

Who we are: Brake has been supporting victims of road carnage for 30 years, and we're on a mission to prevent future collisions. Every 20 minutes, someone is killed or seriously injured on our roads, impacting lives profoundly.

Join our team: We're expanding our National Road Victim Service and need a dedicated caseworker to join our dynamic, compassionate team. Your role will involve delivering world-class support services to those at their most vulnerable.

Not your average job: This isn't a 9 to 5. You could play a significant part in rolling out trauma-informed support services nationwide. Make a real difference in the lives of those affected by road crashes.

What we offer:

-  A generous 35 days of annual leave (including bank holidays and 3-day shutdown period between Christmas and New Year, pro-rata for part-time working patterns)

-  Birthday day off

-  Flexible working (Wednesday must be a working day, choose the other 2 days and adapt your working pattern to suit you as long as you complete your hours between 8am-6pm Mon-Fri)

- Enhanced sick pay and compassionate leave

- Death in service benefit

- Pension

- Employee Assistance Programme

- Clinical supervision and excellent support

- A rewarding role with purpose

- Be part of a skilled, friendly team with an engaged Board of Trustees 

Who you are: We need passionate, self-starters with a background in providing high-quality emotional support and advocacy. Your experience in roles within the police, criminal justice, counselling, any type of casework or health and social care sectors could make you an ideal candidate.

Specifically seeking candidates with:

- frontline support service experience

- a full, clean UK driving licence, access to your own transport and are willing to use it for work purposes (we reimburse travelling expenses)

- experience supporting people who have suffered sudden bereavement or working with those with heightened vulnerabilities.

- research and advocacy skills – you will reach out to other organisations to support your cases where required

- competent I.T skills for remote work

Join our mission: Your greatest reward will be knowing you've made a positive difference in someone's recovery from psychological trauma.

About us: Brake is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We welcome your application whatever your background or situation. We particularly welcome applications from those who are part of the global majority, the LGBTQIA+ community or disabled. We are proud to be a disability confident employer. We don’t want you to ‘fit’ our culture, we want you to enrich it. So, if you have a passion for making a difference and share in our vision for a world where no one is killed on our roads, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now: If you're up for a new challenge and have the skills, apply now. We'd like to get to know the real you through your application, not an AI version. If you do use AI to write your cover letter, please check it and make sure it reflects who you are.

Not for traffic offenders: Due to the nature of our work we can't accept applications from traffic offenders. Candidates will be asked to disclose whether they have any unspent points on their licence at screening/interview interview.

An enhanced DBS check is required due to the sensitive nature of our service.

Join us today and be part of the solution! 

Haringey Education Partnership

We are a leading education partnership based in Hornsey, north London, committed to improving outcomes for children and young people.  We have 160 member schools across Haringey, Enfield and Waltham Forest. 

The Role

The Administrative Officer will play a key role in helping to ensure the smooth running of HEP’s operations, events, and communications, and in delivering the high-quality service that underpins our success.  This role reports jointly to the Operations Manager and the Lead for Digital and Communications. 

Key Responsibilities 

Administrative Support

• First point of contact for schools, clients, suppliers, and visitors triaging issues and responding efficiently and helpfully to queries in person, via phone, and by email
• Manage day-to-day administrative tasks including maintaining records and supporting internal workflows and some internal team communications
• Monitoring of shared inboxes across various teams, addressing enquiries in a timely manner
• Work closely with the Operations, Comms, CPD and Curriculum teams to support projects and workstreams

Event / Visitor Coordination

• Prepare and manage meeting rooms and training venues liaising with trainers and delegates
• Assist with the planning and delivery of in-person and online events, including training sessions, conferences, and away days
• Creati event collateral in a professional and timely manner 

CPD Support

• Support with organising and hosting online and in-person training and courses
• Support with the development of CPD promotional material including brochures and flyers
• Support with uploading HEPs training programme and events onto website
• Support the technical and logistical setup for virtual meetings and webinars

Communications and Digital Support

• Website administration support, resolving member queries 
• Help in creation and distribution of communication materials, such as flyers, newsletters, brochures,podcasts and content for social media/digital channels
• Work with the Communications Team to ensure consistency in tone, branding, and messaging

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in an administrative or office support role
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact confidently and professionally with a wide range of stakeholders
• Strong IT proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Canva, Zoom, Mondaycom, Adobe Suite
• Good numeracy and data-handling skills
• Ability to manage time, prioritise effectively, and work flexibly across multiple tasks
• A proactive, positive, and collaborative approach to work
• A strong commitment to improving life chances for children and young people

Desirable Skills and Experience 

• Experience of working in or with schools or education settings
• Experience with event coordination or customer service
• Familiarity with maintaining websites and basic content management systems

Other information

Application Process: 

• Interested candidates should submit a cover letter detailing their suitability for the role along with a current CV.   Interviews will be conducted as suitable candidates apply and we may hire if we find the right person before the job ad closes.

Working at HEP: 

• You will be part of a mission-driven team committed to empowering schools and improving outcomes for children and young people.
• You will work in a supportive environment that values learning, innovation, and collaboration.
• We offer opportunities for professional development and encourage staff to shape and grow their roles.
• HEP is an 'in-person first organisation' and this role is in-person/office based, working in Hornsey, north London with the opportunity to visit our member schools and attend events/conferences as required.

We are actively seeking diversity of experience academically and professionally, as well as representing the different communities we serve.

This position will be located in the United Kingdom and therefore a successful applicant must have the Right to Work in the UK in order to commence their employment.

HEP is committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.  As part of our safer recruitment checks an online search many be carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Are you passionate about helping young people build brighter futures?

Are you a people person with great attention to detail? If so, we’ve got a brilliant opportunity for you to join our team as our Volunteering Development Officer at Young Enterprise.

Who We Are

We’re Young Enterprise – a national charity with a bold mission: to give every young person the skills, confidence, and mindset to thrive in the changing world of work.

For over 60 years, we’ve empowered more than 7 million young people through hands-on enterprise and financial education programmes. Whether it’s launching a student business or learning how to manage money, we help young people develop key life skills—teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and resilience.

We’re a passionate, down-to-earth team of 90+ staff and 2,000+ volunteers who believe that every young person, regardless of background, deserves a fair start in life.

Why Join Us?

We think Young Enterprise is a great place to work—and we’re proud of our people-first culture. Here’s what you can expect:

• A friendly and supportive team where your voice is heard
• A strong commitment to diversity and inclusion—we want everyone to feel they belong
• Generous holiday allowance and flexible working
• Cycle-to-work scheme, life assurance, and NHS top-up plan
• Ongoing learning and mentoring opportunities
• A chance to directly impact the lives of young people every single day

About the Role

At Young Enterprise, we’re proud to engage thousands of passionate volunteers every year across England and Wales. Together, we empower young people with vital enterprise and financial education skills—delivered in schools, universities, and communities. Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and we’re looking for a proactive and enthusiastic Volunteering Development Officer to help us create the best possible experience for them.

You’ll be the first point of contact for new volunteers, ensuring every volunteer’s experience is smooth, well supported and rewarding – from registration through to recognition. You’ll lead on all aspects of our volunteer registration processes, systems, and records, as well as using your expertise in volunteer management to deliver excellent customer service and build effective relationships on a national scale.

You’ll be contributing to upholding high standards and creating a warm, welcoming environment and ensuring our volunteers are supported every step of the way—and in doing so, you’ll help us make a lasting difference in young people’s lives.

You’ll love this job if you are…

• A people person who enjoys building relationships and providing great customer service.
• Passionate about the transformative power of volunteering for young people.
• Organised, self-motivated and with a keen eye for detail.
• Looking to gain broad experience in the volunteering sector, managing the end to end volunteer experience and getting stuck in to make improvements to they way we do things.

Key Responsibilities

• Delivering a seamless onboarding experience, handling queries and providing a warm welcome to new volunteers.
• Supporting and training colleagues on volunteering systems and processes.
• Managing our safeguarding and DBS processes for volunteers to keep young people safe.
• Using our Volunteer Management System (Assemble), ensuring communications are logged and accurate reports are available for monitoring and KPIs.
• Creating and maintaining clear documentation, process and guidance documents so colleagues and volunteers have everything they need at their fingertips.
• Recognising volunteer contributions by coordinating our volunteer rewards and recognition activities.
• Writing inspiring news articles and email communications updates on our Volunteering platform.
• Championing the volunteer journey and actively contributing to team goals that ensure volunteers have a positive and consistent experience.

A few practical things:

• This role is hybrid, involving a mixture of working from home and from our Central London office.
• There will be some limited additional requirements to travel for meetings and occasional expectations to work outside of office hours, such as our annual in person Staff Conference and quarterly evening ‘get togethers’ online with volunteers.
• This role is the equivalent of 3 days per week, however we are flexible to accommodate the regular working hours that work for you, between 9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday.
• Giving our volunteers the best possible experience involves really understanding what they do- so you will be actively encouraged to get stuck in and ‘volunteer’ yourself within our programmes and alongside our volunteers.

Keeping Young People Safe:

At Young Enterprise, safeguarding is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. All successful applicants will receive ongoing safeguarding training throughout their employment and be expected to uphold excellent safeguarding practice at all times.

How to Apply

If you’re ready to help shape the futures of young people, we want to hear from you!

Please send your CV and a cover letter (max 2 pages) telling us why you’re the right person for this role. Applications must be submitted by 23:30 on 20 June 2025. Please note, we are only able to respond to shortlisted candidates, and may close applications before the closing date if we find the right candidate.

Interviews will be held via Teams and may take place before the closing date. Please note, we are only able to respond to shortlisted candidates.

At YE we are passionate and committed to keeping your data safe and secure.  Full details can be found in the YE People’s Privacy Notice.

Join us – and help us give every young person the chance to thrive. 

This is an exciting opportunity to steer Asylum Aid at an important time in its 30-year existence. As Executive Director you will be responsible for delivering on our strategy for impact. You will oversee our work to increase access to expert, trauma-informed legal representation to those in the asylum, trafficking and statelessness systems and lead our policy and strategic legal work to achieve systemic change that contributes towards our vision.

You will line manage the Director of Legal Casework to oversee the provision of supportive and enabling leadership to Asylum Aid caseworkers so that they can continue to deliver high quality expert advice in complex cases, while being supported in their professional development and wellbeing. You will also manage and develop the work of our welfare advice team within the Westminster Advice Services Partnership and beyond, and work collaboratively with colleagues in the sector to build capacity and increase our impact. 

The ideal candidate, who may be legally qualified, will have experience of leadership in the charity/NGO sector and a sound understanding of the asylum, human rights and trafficking processes in the UK and the legal frameworks which govern the protection of refugees, survivors of trafficking and stateless people, and of the role of law in achieving system change.

We are looking for someone who is strategically minded and passionate about providing supportive and inclusive leadership to our expert team. You will be committed to our objectives and to the role which expert legal representation plays in enabling people in need of protection in the UK to obtain it.

As is the nature of this sector, the role may be exposed to a high volume of traumatic and distressing material and, whilst they will be supported by the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and surrounding team, the candidate should also be able to demonstrate knowledge of good self-care principles in an intense work environment and dissemination of those principles to junior members of the team.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and strategy

·Be responsible, with the support of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO, for the development, implementation and monitoring of Asylum Aid’s organisational strategy

·Provide leadership and strategic direction at Asylum Aid in accordance with its aims and objectives, with the support of the Director of Legal Casework

·Act as external spokesperson for Asylum Aid, maintaining and strengthening Asylum Aid’s position as a leader in the refugee rights, statelessness and legal aid sectors;

·Work collaboratively with others in the sector to promote and strengthen Asylum Aid’s work, identify and establish potential partnerships, with the support of the Director of Legal Casework;

·Work collaboratively with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and Executive Leadership team to drive the implementation of the Group strategic framework;

·Ensure that all reporting and monitoring requirements are met to support fundraising, contract compliance and monitoring strategic impact;

·Support the cross collaboration of the Asylum Aid team with the Helen Bamber Foundation team and play an active part in the management of the Helen Bamber Foundation Group.

Governance  

·Act as the Data Protection Supervisor with responsibility for data protection and cyber security within Asylum Aid

·Together with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group CEO and designated safeguarding leads, be responsible for child and adult safeguarding within Asylum Aid

·In collaboration with the Director of Legal Casework, ensure compliance by Asylum Aid with all legal and regulatory obligations, including the Legal Aid Agency contract, the Immigration Advice Authority and Solicitors Regulation Authority;

·Lead on the preparation and presentation of quarterly reports on Asylum Aid’s activities, strategy and risks to the Asylum Aid Board, the Finance and Fundraising Committee and the People and Governance Committee;

·Lead on the preparation of the Trustees’ annual report and ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems are adequate to enable reporting on Asylum Aid’s activities and impact.

Management and Supervision 

·Responsible for line management of the Director of Legal Casework and Welfare Advice service coordinator, and other team supervisors as required;

·Together with the Group Director of People, responsible for Human Resources and implementation of the People Strategy within Asylum Aid, including development and implementation of HR policies and procedures;

·Together with the Director of Legal Casework and team supervisors, drive the effective management and supervision of the Asylum Aid team and ensure that they comply with relevant professional standards and accreditation;

·Foster a supportive and inclusive team culture at Asylum Aid in which each member feels valued and supported to develop professionally and to perform to the best of their ability;

·Ensure the team’s well-being and that self-care practices are established and work in tandem with the Director of Legal Casework and supervisors to ensure trauma-informed ways of working.

Policy & Strategic Legal Work

·Together with the Group Director of Policy, identify policy priorities and coordinate the preparation of evidence and briefings drawing on Asylum Aid’s experience and expertise to influence system change;

·Build and maintain relationships and partnerships with sector colleagues to support joint strategic engagement including policy advocacy and strategic legal work;

·Work closely with the Director of Legal Casework and team supervisors to drive changes in the UK asylum, trafficking and statelessness systems through strategic legal work.

Finance & Fundraising

·Work closely with the CEO and the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Finance Team to set and manage budget(s) and general financial matters for Asylum Aid

·Together with the Director of Legal Casework and the Group Finance Team, establish systems for monitoring legal aid Work In Progress and billing, and securing casework income including legal aid, and inter partes income from judicial review cases;

·Work closely with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Fundraising and Communications Team to secure funding for Asylum Aid from a range of sources including trusts and foundations, corporate philanthropy and major donors;

·Ensure that Legal Aid and other income is maximised, and targets are achieved.

Other duties

·Manage the recruitment and supervision of volunteers where necessary in collaboration with the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Volunteers Coordinator;

·Support the Helen Bamber Foundation Group Facilities team to ensure the smooth running of the office and that the facilities meet the needs of Asylum Aid;

·Work outside normal office hours as required and travel in order to carry out the responsibilities of the post.

·To undertake any task that may be requested from time to time that may be consistent with the nature and scope of this post.

Essential Experience, Skills and Knowledge

•Experience of running a small to medium sized charity/legal NGO and/or legal department within the NGO sector (or other equivalent senior management role);

•Demonstrable experience of managing and leading a successful team and the ability to manage a growing team with mixed roles from team supervisors to administrative support staff, working co-operatively with colleagues to maintain transparency and effective working relationships within the team;

•Strong communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds

•Strong understanding of good governance including legal, regulatory and financial responsibilities;

•Ability to work with a range of stakeholders from trustees to external partners;

•Experience of leading and/or participating in organisational strategic planning;

·Experience of legal policy work within the human rights field and /or of strategic litigation, whether as an NGO claimant or legal representative;

•Experience of managing diverse funding sources and setting and implementing budgets;

•Experience of working in a service delivery partnership with other organisations;

•Experience of fundraising, especially grants from trusts and foundations;

•Sound working knowledge of the law and policy as it relates to immigration,  asylum, human rights and modern slavery/trafficking;

•Demonstrable understanding of the asylum and human rights sector in the UK;

•An understanding of the barriers migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers face regarding access to legal advice, reasons why they may become destitute and why this makes it more difficult to access advice and support; and

•The passion for working empathetically and supportively with migrants, refugees, stateless people and asylum seekers.

Desirable Experience

·Experience of managing the delivery of frontline casework with people in the asylum or trafficking systems

·Experience of tendering for and delivering publicly funded contracts e.g. LAA or local authority funding;

·Working knowledge of Legal Aid Agency contracts, including the delivery of casework and billing under a legal aid contract in the immigration and asylum category and/or the public law category;

How to apply 

The first stage is to complete on our online application form on our website by 9am on 23 June 2025.

The website form will ask you to:

1.Upload a short covering letter. Please tell us why the position appeals to you, and how your relevant skills and experience, including any voluntary experience and lived experience, matches the listed responsibilities and person specification. Please also state in your covering letter when you would be available to start the role.

2.Upload your current CV

3.Complete an online Equal Opportunities monitoring form – completion of this form will help us ensure that our recruitment procedures operate in such a way as to provide genuine equality of opportunity. The questions are entirely optional, and this information will not be available to members of the selection panel.

For an informal conversation about the post before applying, please contact Alison Pickup, the current Executive Director.

Selection Process

We anticipate that we will invite candidates to an initial online interview on Wednesday 3rd July 2025, followed by shortlisted candidates attending in-person interviews at our office in Old Street on Wednesday 9 July 2025.

We regret that we can only respond to applicants who make it to the interview stage.

We offer a guaranteed initial interview for refugees, stateless people and others with lived experience of forced migration, provided that they meet at least 50% of the essential criteria.

Eligibility

Please note that the successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK (as a small charity we do not have the capacity to sponsor work visas).

Successful candidates will also be subject to a basic DBS check. If appointed, you will also be required to give your consent to the charity to receive regular updates on your criminal records status throughout your employment and to disclose any relevant convictions incurred during your time with us.

Adjustments

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. If you require a different format of the application form, such as large print or Word format, or if you would like to discuss any specific requirements, please get in touch with us.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Our commitment to principles of equity, diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our approach to our clients, our volunteers and our staff, and we are an equal opportunities and Living Wage employer.

We are committed to attracting and recruiting diverse candidates because we are keen to make sure that our staff, trustees, volunteers and ambassadors reflect the communities we serve and the wider community we work in.

We genuinely welcome and encourage applications from candidates from a range of backgrounds, especially people of colour, people with disabilities, people from low socio-economic backgrounds, refugees, stateless people and others with lived experience of forced migration or trauma and of the housing and welfare system, who are under-represented in our organisation.

We recognise and value the role of lived experience in meeting the needs of our clients and acknowledge the under-representation of people with lived experience of forced migration and statelessness in the advice sector. We value experience gained overseas as well as in the UK.

We are also proud to be a member of the Experts by Experience Employment Network which aims to increase representation of people with lived experience in the charitable sector.

If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network and access other information and resources which may help in preparing your job application.

Please complete the form on their website to request support and they will confirm if they can match you with a mentor to support your application.

Turn2us is a national charity tackling financial insecurity and its structural causes. We work with co-producers and partners to provide people in financial crisis with the means and agency to get back on their feet, build resilience, move forward with their lives and thrive.

As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to equity, inclusion and diversity and the value people from different backgrounds bring to a team. If, like us, you believe everyone has the right to have enough to live on, and you are ambitious about eradicating financial insecurity, join us and build your career with a charity dedicated to ensuring dignity and equity for all.

This role is a fantastic development opportunity for anyone passionate about corporate and charity collaborations looking to take their career to the next level.

As a Corporate Partnerships Officer, you will focus on supporting our current corporate partnerships as well as helping us secure new business. You will spend the majority of your time (70%) supporting the account management of our existing partners, providing excellent stewardship, relationship management, and identifying areas for growth. The other 30% will be spent supporting our Corporate Partnerships Manager (New Business) to identify and secure new opportunities, for example with prospecting and pitches.

You will help Turn2us influence how businesses support their customers, and help co-create meaningful and impactful corporate partnerships that centre the needs and experiences of people facing financial insecurity.

With a proven track record of fundraising and partnership engagement (whether corporate or another route) you will use your strong communication and relationship management skills to develop our relationships with businesses. You’ll work closely with the corporate partnerships team and business partners to build and deliver partnerships that make a real difference. Your understanding of corporate charity partnerships and social impact, ability to influence people at a senior level, and curiosity will allow you to spot opportunities to help drive partnership working at Turn2us.

We offer flexible working patterns, both in terms of hours and remote working. Please note that all employees are required to work from the office a minimum 1 day a week.

Some roles may be required to be in the office more often than others and this will be agreed with the hiring manager upon starting at Turn2us.

Please note that all job offers are subject to 2 – 3 satisfactory references and a disclosure satisfactory to Turn2us from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS).

Closing date: 29th June at 23:59

Interview date: 14/07/2025

To apply, please visit our website via the button below.

We are seeking an employment law adviser to fill the post of National Officer Employment Law. As a professionally qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive with 2 years post-qualified experience you will lead our legal team and provide professional legal advice on employment law matters. The National Officer Employment Law role is pivotal in supporting our Senior Management Team, staff, and members, ensuring that our legal services are effective and aligned with the union's objectives of building union power.

Salary and Location

• Band 5, London Spine points 21-17 or Regional Spine points 23-19
• London Starting salary: £63,279 p.a. rising to £72,098 p.a. or Regional Starting salary: £58,877 p.a. rising to £67,689 in annual increments
• London or Region

Successful candidates for the National Officer Employment Law will be able to demonstrate:

• Proven experience in employment law and legal management.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities.
• Commitment to promoting equality and diversity in the workplace.
• Ability to work collaboratively and manage complex legal issues.

The main duties of the National Officer Employment Law role include:

• Delivering expert legal guidance and representation on employment law issues.
• Conducting legal research, drafting claims, and other legal documents.
• Managing a team of legal professionals, overseeing casework management and ensuring alignment with the union's strategic goals.

You will be committed to developing your team, through training, appraisal and the use of technology and you will be able to show how you maintain and share your up-to-date knowledge of employment legislation. An understanding of the political processes in the UK and the role and work of trade unions is essential for the National Officer Employment Law role.

Closing date: at 12 midday on Friday 13 June 2025

Interviews will be held by Zoom: Wednesday 2 July 2025

Selected applicants may be invited to a second interview on Friday 4 July 2025

About PCS

PCS is the Public and Commercial Services Union, representing many thousands of members working in the civil service and related areas.

Employer Benefits

You will have access to a generous package of staff benefits including

• flexible working (including hybrid working)
• childcare and family support
• generous maternity/paternity leave
• 32 days leave and Christmas closure
• pension scheme
• employee assistance programme

Learning and Development

The union offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities. We will work with you to support your continued professional development.

PCS Recruiting Process

We use CVMinder to manage all recruitment activities. It helps us to maintain our commitment to equality and diversity by ensuring that we are fair and compliant with our recruiting practices.

Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified.

Candidates invited for interview are required to make themselves available on the date/s specified. Interview dates cannot be changed to accommodate candidates who are unavailable to attend on the specified date.

• CVs will not be accepted. Please see the job description/person specification and follow the application process.
• PCS is working towards equal opportunities and is positive about disabled people.
• All posts can be considered on a full-time, part-time or job share basis.

Please view our guidance for applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION: NATIONAL OFFICER EMPLOYMENT LAW

Ref: 0325

Grade: Band 5, London or Region

Salary:

London Spine points 21-17

London Starting salary £63,279 p.a. rising to £72,098 p.a.

Regional Spine points 23 -19

Regional Spine points £58,877 p.a. rising to £67,689 p.a.

Location: London/Region

Purpose of the job:

To lead on and deliver professional legal advice, guidance, and representation on employment law matters to the Senior Management Team, Staff, NEC and members.

To undertake a management role with direct responsibility for two Legal & Employment Rights Managers (Senior Paralegals).

Responsible to: Band 6, Head of Legal & Equality

Responsible for: Band 4 Legal & Employment Rights Managers (Senior Paralegals /Junior Lawyers)

Contacts

External:

PCS Members, elected officials and potential members. Employers, Legal and other advisors. TUC, Members of other trade unions and related bodies. MPs, pressure groups, campaigning bodies and media.

Internal:

PCS Staff and managers across Regions, Senior Management Team, National Management Team and other PCS Departments.

Main duties and responsibilities

1.Key areas

• Conduct legal research into past cases and documents
• Draft and prepare claims or other legal documents
• Provide legal advice to SMT, NEC, members
• Negotiate settlements on behalf of PCS members
• Keep up to date with new developments in employment legislation
• Provide employment law briefings to PCS staff about changes in employment legislation
• Advise members and Reps on wrongful termination and unfair dismissal claims, including reviewing dismissal procedures and advocating for members' rights
• Assist members and reps in cases of workplace discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on factors such as age, gender, race, disability, or other protected characteristics
• Contribute to the development of the Unions policy objectives including the PCS planning process
• Provide leadership in delivering the unions Legal and Employment Rights strategy
• Provide support and have direct involvement through the National Management Team (NMT) in the unions bargaining, organising, campaigning, equality, learning and digital agendas
• Manage people and resources in the Legal and Employment Rights Unit
• Provide advice to relevant committees including the preparation and presentation of reports
• Monitor and report on issues and initiatives as requested
• Provide input into budgetary processes including bid preparation, monitoring and control where relevant

2.People Management

• Manage work allocation and workflow, future planning and support for officer team/line manager
• Motivate and manage individuals and the team as a whole to provide a high standard of service
• Check work standards and maintain consistent quality of delegated tasks
• Seek to continuously improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the team
• Through induction, the appraisal system and one-to-ones, identify staff training and development needs, train or organise formal/informal training
• Proactively promote diversity in line with the wider PCS approach
• Apply the staff conduct policies as and when required e.g. discipline, grievance, capability, dignity at work and IT security policies
• Provide advice and deal with complex issues related to staff management including disciplinary or grievance in consultation with Line Manager
• Ensure that the health, safety and welfare of staff is maintained and improved, in accordance with PCS and statutory policies
• Work effectively with lay officials
• Deputise for Line Manager when required

3.Communication

• Ensure digitalisation, information & communication methods are effectively implemented and used to generate improvements
• Draft complex communications including briefs and reports
• Communicate with members by producing circulars and briefings, and by addressing meetings and conferences etc
• As necessary, represent PCS and liaise with outside bodies

4.Casework Management

• Advise in the handling of personal casework
• Liaise with Solicitors, internal and external bodies on the handling of personal casework
• Represent PCS or PCS members at official bodies such as employment tribunals, Civil Service Appeal Board, etc.
• Maintain and improve own knowledge of the developments in employment law and practice

5.Team Working

• Proactively promote team working
• Initiate, organise, lead and participate in team meetings as appropriate
• Maintain high levels of confidentiality of sensitive issues at all times
• Provide assistance to team members

6.Equality

• Contribute to PCS policies on equal opportunities by developing innovative workplace strategies to tackle inequality and discrimination

7.General

• Participate and input information into PCS planning and budgeting processes
• At all times implement and promote the PCSs equal opportunities policy and adhere to the PCS Values
• Take due and reasonable care of self and others in respect of health and safety at work
• Participate in appraisal, training and development systems
• Act in a manner that enhances the work of the PCS and its overall public image
• In all work activities, comply with data protection legislation and PCSs requirements for the protection of personal information and the privacy of individuals
• Staff at this grade may be assigned or transferred to posts within grade. A training & development programme will be provided to assist with this, where required such other duties that may reasonably be required and that are within the level of the responsibility of this post
• Willing to work outside normal office hours and location on occasion (e.g. attendance at Annual Delegate Conference, where required)

Person Specification: NATIONAL OFFICER EMPLOYMENT LAW

Ref: 0325

Date: May 2025

Location: London/Region

ESSENTIAL FACTORS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Qualified Solicitor/Legal Executive with 2 years post-qualified experience

EXPERIENCE

• Proven experience in employment law and legal management, including advocacy and representation
• People management including induction, work allocation, appraisal and conduct
• Leading committees and teams
• Industrial relations and negotiations
• High level project management, problem solving and decision making

TRAINING

(including continuous professional development)

• Evidence of ongoing training and continuing professional development
• Commitment to undertake job-related training
• Commitment to participation in appraisal and development review process
• Commitment to staff development

KNOWLEDGE

• Understanding of the political processes in the UK and the role and work of trade unions
• Budget monitoring and control processes
• Employment rights, equality legislation, discrimination law and working practices
• Impact and use of Digital and IT applications in a trade union

SKILLS

• Ability to communicate effectively using written and oral channels, including reports and presentations, with a variety of audiences
• Ability to negotiate and form effective working relationships internally and externally
• Ability to work collaboratively and manage complex legal issues
• Ability to identify and set standards and priorities
• Ability to provide strategic and policy implementation advice and guidance

OTHER

• Commitment to the application of Equal Opportunities policies and practices at work
• Understanding of own role in maintaining legal compliances within PCS (e.g. data protection; health and safety)
• Flexible approach to work and willing to work outside of normal office hours and location on occasions

Are you a dynamic and innovative senior leader passionate about making a real difference in the lives of people with autism and learning disabilities? Do you thrive in a collaborative environment where your voice is heard and your ideas can drive positive change? Are you a leader who is prepared to listen to others and build better solutions from multiple inputs? If so, PLUS has an exciting opportunity for you! 

For 30 years, PLUS has been a beacon of high-quality support and care, dedicated to empowering individuals with learning disabilities and autism to live fulfilling lives. As we embark on an ambitious journey of growth, aiming to expand our reach from an £8 million turnover to £15 million over the next 3-5 years, we are seeking a Deputy Chief Executive Officer to join our passionate team. 

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will be instrumental in providing strategic leadership and operational oversight across our organisation. You will work in close partnership with the CEO to ensure our continued success in delivering exceptional services, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and supporting strategic development and implementation. 

What you'll be doing: 

• Contributing to the development, implementation, and monitoring of our strategic plan, ensuring alignment with our core mission, vision, and values.
• Identifying and exploring new opportunities for growth, service development, and innovative solutions that enhance our impact and sustainability. 
• Deputising for the CEO, representing PLUS at external events and with key stakeholders.
• Providing inspiring leadership and direction to the Head of Services, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment. 
• Driving operational excellence and ensuring regulatory compliance across all our services.
• Championing a culture of continuous improvement, proactively identifying areas for development and implementing effective solutions. 
• Contributing to effective budget planning and monitoring.
• Supporting the CEO in developing and maintaining strong relationships with our Board of Trustees. 
• Playing a key role in external relationships and stakeholder engagement, including leading on tendering and contract implementation. 

What you'll bring: 

• Significant experience in a senior leadership role within health and social care.
• A proven track record of driving positive change and achieving strategic objectives. 
• Demonstrable experience in operational oversight and quality assurance.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience of budget planning and monitoring. 
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to identify key issues and develop effective solutions.
• A deep commitment to the principles of person-centred care and support.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. 
• Strong IT skills.
• An innovative and solution-oriented approach to challenges. 

What we offer: 

• A competitive salary.
• The opportunity to make a significant and positive impact on the lives of people with learning disabilities. 
• A supportive and collaborative working environment where your ideas are valued.
• The chance to be part of an ambitious and growing organisation with a strong track record of success. 
• Opportunities for professional development and growth. 

To Apply: 

Please submit your CV and a covering letter no more than 3 pages outlining your suitability for the role, highlighting your experience and your vision for contributing to the future success of PLUS.

PLUS is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds and communities