Trainee jobs in islington, hertfordshire

South Bank Students Union is a non-for-profit organisation, which champions social mobility through education and has a vision to disrupt the cycle of inequality in higher education. 

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We are looking for a Student Voice Coordinator to join our new team as we embark on a five-year strategy to transform the way we engage and support students to help them reach their full potential.​

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Nowhere is inequality in our education system more recognisable than in higher education, where those from the most privileged backgrounds still have the most equity and most chances to achieve and succeed.

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South Bank students have high expectations and ambitions for themselves but lead complex lives where they are faced with the pressures of trying to balance their studies with work and juggling their lives at home. In fact, many don't identify primarily as students, but instead as carers, nurses, engineers, parents, designers, workers, entrepreneurs, apprentices, last chance learners and Londoners. 

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At South Bank Students' Union we believe that a student's background and life circumstances should not put them at an educational disadvantage, and all students deserve a high-quality University experience and the chance to graduate equipped with the tools to succeed in life - this role is at the heart of this work. 

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Alongside our current Student Voice Coordinator, the person in this role will be responsible for delivering the Union’s key Student Voice programmes which include: our course rep scheme; student issues tracking; focus groups and officer insight campaigns. They will also provide support for student leaders. This includes supporting the effective election, induction and ongoing development of the Union’s President, Lead Representatives and democratic processes.

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We are looking for someone who can truly understand the lived experiences of those who have faced societal barriers to participation, and who is motivated by delivering work which aims to challenge and remove these norms. 

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Commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

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SBSU’s simple vision of disrupting inequality is the heartbeat of the organisation and it is this which steers its decisions, practice, and priorities. It unifies our services, and it drives our staff to remove societal barriers so that all people can achieve their full potential.

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SBSU believes that in order to truly disrupt inequality for its members, it must also strive to do this for its workforce – in short, staff must experience it in order to deliver it!

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Our Union benefits enormously from having a team of staff with a range of diverse lived experiences. We understand that some life circumstances might be more complex, and that some will have had to overcome more barriers. We value the unique perspectives that are formed by an individual’s background and believe that ‘bringing your whole self to work’ is essential for informed decision making and collaboration and paves the way for high performance so we welcome applications from all, especially if your background and circumstances are traditionally under-represented in the workplace. 

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Further Information

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To find out more information about South Bank Students Union and the role, including the job description and person specification, you can download the recruitment pack below.​ You can also download our​ five-year strategy below ​to help you understand more about our vision for SBSU.​

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Process​

To apply, you will need to:

• submit a copy of your CV
• ​submit a supporting statement (a maximum of two sides of A4) that details your interest in, and suitability for the role in PDF format.
• answer some questions relating to your eligibility for employment.
• provide some details about your individual identity (not mandatory) 

Candidates will be shortlisted based on how well their application demonstrates they meet the criteria in the job description and person specification. Your CV will provide information on your education and work experience, however, your supporting statement is your chance to show why you are right for the role and an opportunity to stand out from others. It should provide clear and relevant examples of how you have met the key criteria, and the successes you have had in your previous roles. An application which does not provide this detail is unlikely to make it through to an interview so please take the time to make sure you have given this full consideration. 

The job description and person specification can be found in the recruitment pack which can be downloaded below.

Applications should be submitted electronically via the link above. The closing date for applications is 23:59pm on Sunday 3 August 2025. Interviews for this role are likely to take place week commencing 18 August.

Shortlisted candidates will receive an invitation to an interview, with a panel of SU staff and elected officers and may also include some written and / or scenario-based tasks.

The students’ union is unable to offer feedback to non shortlisted candidates; however, every applicant will be informed of the outcome of their application. 

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​Accessibility

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We encourage applications from candidates from a broad range of backgrounds and life circumstances and want to make sure that this recruitment process is accessible to all. We also recognise that this recruitment process, and the opportunity to join the organisation, is taking place during a period of major instability and uncertainty in the wider world, so should you require support related to this process or attending a digital interview, please let us know at any point during the process.

The Association for Cultural Enterprises (AfCE) supports over 500 member organisations across the UK and internationally, helping the cultural sector generate earned income through commercial activity. As an Arts Council England-funded organisation, AfCE delivers sector-leading training, benchmarking, data-led insights, events, and advocacy to drive financial resilience in arts, heritage, and culture.

AfCE runs a year-round programme of live training events around the UK and Europe, as well as its signature annual Cultural Enterprises Conference and Trade Show. We have ambitions to grow attendance at these events, as well as growing our membership.

The Association is a charitable organisation, which also has a trading company, Cultural Enterprises (Trading) Limited (CET).

We are looking for a new Finance Manager to join a small, friendly, and ambitious team, to review the day-to-day processes and policies and identify opportunities to improve reporting  and make operational efficiencies. The Association is growing, so now is an exciting time to join our team and work with our members across the cultural sector.

Job Summary

The purpose of this role is to provide sound financial management for the Association and CET through:

• Statutory financial reporting in line with Charity SORP/UK GAAP, including annual returns to Companies House and the Charity Commission

• Management accounting, reporting and analysis to funders, management, staff, and Trustees/Directors

• Preparation and maintenance of budgets, forecasts and plans, including cashflows and project budgets

• Supervision and control of day-to-day accounting transactions, including oversight of the finance aspects of the Apprentice role

• Oversight and implementation of robust financial systems, policies, and procedures

• Responsible for financial queries, working with the Apprentice as first point of contact for external contacts
   

Main Duties

• Supervise day-to-day accounting operations and ensure accurate financial record keeping, including coding, allocations, reconciliations, and tax accounting

• Oversee invoice generation and debt recovery processes

• Process payments and staff expenses for authorisation

• Produce regular management accounts on an accruals basis, providing interpretation and advice to the Executive Team, Finance & Risk Committee, Trustees/Directors, and funders

• Lead on budget preparation and forecasting, including project-specific budgets; monitor and reforecast as needed

• Prepare statutory accounts in compliance with charity SORP and liaise with external auditors and the Treasurer

• Manage contracts with financial services providers, including bookkeepers, auditors, banks, and investment managers

• Attend AfCE and CET Board meetings

• Fulfil company secretarial duties, including:

  • Filing confirmation statements and annual accounts for ACE and CET with Companies House and Charity Commission

  • Filing changes in Trustees/Directors

• Complete Arts Council England (ACE) returns, including provision of financial information for quarterly payment processes when required

• Negotiate and implement insurance policies including:

  • General insurance

  • Cyber security

  • Life assurance

  • Staff sickness policy

  • Trustees’ liability

  • Conference insurance

• Oversee monthly payroll, including statutory payments to HMRC and pension providers, and liaise with bookkeepers for payroll updates or changes

• Review VAT returns for accuracy before submission to HMRC
   

Note on External Bookkeepers
External bookkeepers currently provide support limited to payroll and VAT processing.

Person Specification

Personal Qualities

• Self-disciplined, organised, proactive and self-motivating

• Logical and methodical approach to finance and administration

• Trustworthy, honest, reliable and conscientious

• Confident, professional, and personable, able to communicate easily within a small team and with external stakeholders
   

Professional Competencies

Essential

• Professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA, or CIMA

• Strong knowledge of charity SORP and charity finance regulations, including VAT and Gift Aid

• Experience with Xero or equivalent cloud-based accounting systems

• Strong reporting skills

• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail

• Experience producing management accounts and supporting senior leadership and boards

• Ability to interpret financial data for non-financial colleagues
   

Desirable

• Experience working in a small charity or business

• Understanding of the cultural or charitable sector

• Experience of remote working
   

Benefits

• Unlimited holiday policy

• 5% employer pension contribution

• Life insurance

• Flexible working arrangements by agreement with the CEO

We are an inclusive, equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of experience, merit and organisational need.

Managing Director

UK Association for Transactional Analysis (UKATA)

Location: Remote/Home-based
Salary: Circa £65,000 FTE plus benefits
Contract: Permanent, Part Time – Flexible 21- 28 hours per week 3-5 days

Closing Date: 11th July 2025

Interview Dates: First interviews w/c 21st July 2025, Second interviews w/c 28th July 2025

About Us

UKATA is a charity and company limited by guarantee dedicated to advancing Transactional Analysis (TA) training, qualifications, and practice across the UK. We support our members through professional development, accreditation, and promoting TA as a valuable approach in therapy, counselling, education, and organisational contexts.

The Opportunity

We're seeking a dynamic and hands-on Managing Director to lead our small but dedicated team. This is an exceptional opportunity for a strategic leader who thrives in an environment where you can make a direct impact and see the tangible results of your work.

As our MD, you'll work closely with the Trustee Board to shape our future direction while taking personal responsibility for the day-to-day operations. You'll lead a small team of employees, contractors, and volunteers, translating our strategic aims into practical outcomes that deliver real value to our members.

What You'll Do

• Work with Trustees to develop and execute strategic plans that align with our mission
• Take direct responsibility for financial management, including budgeting, investment strategy, and fundraising
• Oversee and personally contribute to the development of membership systems and website improvements
• Build relationships with key stakeholders including members, committees, and international TA organisations
• Lead the delivery of our annual National Conference and quarterly magazine
• Recruit, develop, and manage our small team, fostering a positive work culture
• Ensure compliance with charity regulations and governing organisational policies and procedures
• Function as Company Secretary, handling legal requirements and annual reporting

About You

We're looking for someone who combines strategic vision with a willingness to roll up their sleeves and get involved in practical delivery. You'll be:

• An experienced senior leader with understanding of the non-profit sector
• A strategic thinker who also excels at practical implementation
• Financially astute with proven budget management experience
• An excellent communicator with the ability to build effective relationships
• Self-motivated and comfortable working from home
• Knowledgeable about the mental health sector (desirable)
• Familiar with Transactional Analysis or willing to undertake training (desirable)
• Educated to degree level (desirable)

Why Join Us?

This role offers the chance to lead a respected organisation while making a genuine difference to our members and the wider TA community. You'll have:

• The autonomy to shape both strategy and operations
• The satisfaction of seeing your ideas implemented directly
• The opportunity to work with dedicated professionals passionate about TA
• Flexible remote working arrangements
• Employer Sick Pay Scheme
• 33 days annual leave per annum FTE
• Access to private healthcare benefits

UKATA is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of background.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Core Job Purpose:

The Production Coordinator is responsible for maintaining, overseeing and coordinating all of FCW’s in-cell production. This is an exciting and varied role which helps contribute to the smooth running of the charity.

The duties of the role include:

· Administration of sending and receiving kits stitched in prison.

· Supporting volunteers teaching in prison by dealing with materials requests and orders.

· Ensuring our stitchers are paid for their work accurately and efficiently.

· Providing feedback on the stitching by our in-prison workforce.

· Assisting the extended production team with the ordering of materials, special commissions, donations requests and our tapestry finishing service.

· Gathering, logging and reporting on information related to production and prisoner pay using FCW’s custom database.

· Visiting our stitching groups in prison to get an better understanding of the challenges with production that both our volunteer teachers and our stitchers might face in delivering FCW production

You should have excellent interpersonal skills, be accurate in your attention to detail, be flexible and have the ability to take initiative. We expect you to work independently, prioritising your own workload, as well as working as part of a small, lively team.

Principal Accountabilities for the Core Job:

1. Support our volunteers and stitchers by sending our pre-prepared kits to volunteers around the country ahead of the stitching classes and receiving kits back from volunteers.
2. Administer the production process on FCW’s custom database: logging items as they are sent to prisons and volunteers around the country, tracking items as they are returned from prison, providing feedback to prisoners on the work completed and maintaining standards through rigorous quality control.
3. Process payments to prisoners on a weekly basis.
4. Support Fine Cell Work volunteers by dealing with requests for threads and troubleshooting problems with kits. 
5. Log data, collate and report on production, prisoner pay and stitcher statistics as required for the senior management and the fundraising teams, to include monthly reports and annual reports.
6. Supporting the use of FCW’s custom database to include testing and feedback on new features and uploading and maintaining relevant information.
7. Order materials in advance for production activities in prison workshops as well as at the FCW office, liaising with commercial suppliers as well as materials donors. Supporting the production manager with the production of all kits in prison workshops as well as by volunteers in the office.
8. Work with the Programmes and Impact Officer to enable Open College Network accredited training to be delivered in prisons by making up and sending out starter kits and materials to stitchers.
9. With the Programmes and Impact Officer, provide technical support for our lone stitchers by sending out work, talking to them on the phone or replying to letters.
10. Where appropriate, working with the Design and Commissions team to assist with the preparation of specialist kit and sample products, ordering materials and collecting stitcher feedback to assist with future production.
11. Coordinate FCW’s tapestry finishing and making up service.
12. Support the production manager to ensure that all ability and pay levels are appropriate to FCW’s stitcher population ensuring these are made and assigned with a view to developing prisoners’ skills and self-responsibility.
13. With the Programmes team, co-facilitate production training for volunteers both online and in person.
14. Assist with bi-annual stock counts involving staff, volunteers, prison leavers and prison staff to include finished items, work in progress and raw materials in all the prisons where FCW operates, as well as at FCW’s London office.
15. Coordinate Fine Cell Work volunteers with their weekly tasks as provided by the production manager.
16. First point of contact for phone calls to the office, assisting callers with enquiries and diverting calls to relevant members of staff.
17. On occasion, visit cell groups in prison around the country to support volunteers and stitchers in FCW production.
18. Assist with Fine Cell Work events as and when required.
19. Ad hoc duties to support the work of the charity as required including back-up support to production with apprentices and volunteers in the Clothworkers Studio.
     

Core Job Context:

Fine Cell Work is a UK based rehabilitation charity and social enterprise which makes beautiful handmade products in British prisons. For 28 years we’ve been transforming the lives of people in prison and prison leavers, one stitch at a time. Our unique process boosts our stitcher’s self-worth, instils accountability, and fosters hope.

We support people in prison and prison leavers to finish their sentences with work skills, money earned and saved, and the self-belief to rebuild meaningful, independent, crime-free lives. 

Set up in 1997 by Lady Anne Tree following years of lobbying the government to change prison rules about prisoners earning money from work done in their cells, Fine Cell Work operates in 38 British prisons engaging with over 600 people in prison in 2024. Our stitchers are supported by our skilled and valued volunteers who visit prison fortnightly to teach needlework.

By providing, paid, purposeful activity to prepare people in prison to successfully reintegrate into the community post-release, we are teaching key soft employment skills, supporting the development of self-discipline and self-belief,  and working to improve prisoner well-being, all key in reducing recidivism.

Core Requirements for the Role

Essential:

• Organised and process driven with strong administrative skills.
•  The ability to prioritise and meet deadlines and take initiative.
• Proven track record of delivering on targets and outcome.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High standard of numeracy skills.
• Excellent team working skills.
• Accurate attention to detail for logging information and quality checking work.
• Proficient in MS Office particularly in Excel
•  A flexible approach to managing workload.
• An enthusiastic and positive attitude and strong interpersonal skills.
•  A non-judgemental approach to supporting prisoners.

Desirable:

• Experience of and/or knowledge of textiles and embroidery/needlework.
• Experience of working with volunteers.
• Experience of using complex databases.

This role is full time and based in our offices in Battersea, South London.

Reports to: Production Manager

Salary: £27,000

Fine Cell Work offer the following benefits to all our team members:

• A supportive learning culture and opportunities to develop in your role
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata) increasing after 2 years of service
• Employer pension contribution after 3 month probationary period
• Season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme

Fine Cell Work is committed to the principle of equality. No job applicant, employee, volunteer or worker is discriminated against either directly or indirectly on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religious belief, sex, marital or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy status, age or disability and we will maintain a neutral working environment in which no employee or worker feels under threat or intimidated.

To apply for this role please send a cover letter, outlining how you meet the person specification, and CV by 10pm on 13th July. Please note your application will not be considered if a cover letter is not included.

If successful in your application, interviews will be held week commencing 14th July.