Do you have a good understanding of social and/or economic policy issues and a proven ability to undertake policy development or campaigning work on specific issues in a wider context? Then join Shelter Scotland as a Senior Advocacy Officer and you could soon be playing a vital role in helping us to deliver positive change for those affected by the housing emergency in Scotland.

About the role

Your main focus will be to lead Shelter Scotland in effectively advocating for the structural policy changes required to end the housing emergency, driving forward our strategic goals to secure more social homes, strengthen housing rights, and build a lasting movement for change. You’ll develop and communicate clear, evidence-based policy recommendations – drawing on research, lived experience, and sector insight – to influence key stakeholders across government, parliament, and beyond. You’ll commission and manage external research, lead stakeholder events, and work collaboratively across teams to ensure our policy work supports public affairs, media, and operational activity. You’ll also line manage an Advocacy Officer, supporting their development and overseeing their performance.

Role specifics

You’ll bring strong experience in crafting high-impact communications that influence decision-makers and persuade key stakeholders. With a solid understanding of Scotland’s political landscape and public policy processes – particularly within the Scottish Government and Parliament – you’ll have a proven track record of driving change through effective advocacy and relationship-building at a senior level. You’ll be proactive in spotting opportunities to influence policy, responding strategically to external developments. Alongside this, you’ll have experience managing externally funded projects, including budgeting and reporting, and will be confident leading and motivating a team to achieve shared goals.

Benefits

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

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

About the team

The Advocacy Team is part of Shelter Scotland’s Communications and Advocacy Department and is responsible for developing the charity’s policy positions, research plan, and public affairs and professional stakeholder engagement.

The Advocacy team works closely with colleagues in Community Advice and our Telephone and Online Advice services to capture evidence of how Scotland’s broken and biased housing system is impacting communities, and colleagues in Communications and Engagement to translate this evidence into compelling public campaigns and fundraising appeals. The team have led the organisation on developing an anti-racism evidence base, the economic and social benefits of social housing investment and the case for a human rights-based approach to meeting housing need.

St John’s Church, Linlithgow, is looking for an organised and creative Admin & Communications Assistant to support the smooth running of our church life and help us communicate effectively with our congregation and local community.

Working closely with the Office & Operations Manager and the Services, Comms & Media Lead you will provide practical administrative and communications support. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with people, has good administrative skills, and is confident with digital tools and communication platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Handling general enquiries and supporting day-to-day administration
• Preparing service sheets, notices and other documents
• Updating the website, Facebook and ChurchSuite
• Creating weekly service slides and e-newsletters
• Supporting preparations for services and church events

About You

• Friendly, organised and able to work on your own initiative
• Confident using IT, digital tools and Canva (or similar software)
• Comfortable communicating with a wide range of people
• Supportive of the values and beliefs of St John’s Church

We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join our Midlothian Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Team. This post is funded by Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership.

We have an exciting leadership opportunity to join our South Services team as the Team Leader for the Scottish Borders Community Mental Health Team and the Midlothian Recovery and Justice Team. Within this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the day-to-day delivery of our community mental health and wellbeing services.

You should have experience in; leading and managing services, staff leadership and development, supporting people with their mental health and wellbeing, working as part of a team, meeting funding targets, data analysis and reporting.

If you have experience in these areas and are passionate about supporting people to fulfil their potential, we’d love to hear from you!

Health in Mind offers a range of counselling services. We are seeking a compassionate and qualified Counsellor to join our team in a self-employed capacity. You will provide face-to-face and online one-to-one counselling individuals facing a range of emotional and psychological challenges across our five counselling services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver confidential counselling sessions tailored to client needs
• Maintain accurate and timely client records
• Work collaboratively and have good communication with the Counselling Team Leader and Administrator
• Uphold ethical and professional standards in line with BACP guidelines

Requirements:

• Recognised counselling qualification (Diploma or Masters Level)
• Registration with COSCA, NCPS, BACP, UKCP, HCPC or other relevant professional body
• Experience working with diverse client groups, including people who have experiences of trauma
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join our Midlothian Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Team. This post is funded by Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership.

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Midlothian Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Team as a Development Worker.

Midlothian Access Point is dedicated to improving the mental health and wellbeing of individuals aged 18 to 65 who are registered with a GP in Midlothian. We provide a range of services including information, advice, referrals, and support to help our clients access the resources they need.

Within this role, you will be responsible for delivering individual assessments for the Midlothian Access Point. You will be required to deliver a set amount of individual assessments each week either in person, telephone or online.

The successful candidate will have responsibility for facilitating, developing, and delivering Guided Self Help sessions. Guided Self-Help is a one-to-one support service that guides people to access self-help materials. Sessions are delivered in person, online or over the phone. The service is based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Counselling (IPC) and is for anyone aged 18 and over experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression, stress or sleep problems.

They will work collaboratively with communities to provide tailored support, connect individuals to appropriate resources, and maintain a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to meet the needs of vulnerable groups.

If you have experience in these areas and are passionate about supporting people to fulfil their potential, we’d love to hear from you!

We have an exciting opportunity for someone with lived or living experience in problematic drug and/or alcohol use and mental health difficulties to join our Midlothian Community Mental Health and Wellbeing team. This role is funded by CORRA Improvement Fund.

We are recruiting Peer Support Worker to support the delivery of a Rapid Response Service in partnership with the Midlothian Substance Use Team. You will have lived experience in problematic drug and/or alcohol use and experience of delivering one to one support for people recovering from substance use and mental health difficulties.

Successful applicants will hold drop-ins and provide short-term, outcome focused one to one support to people who have overdosed or are at the high risk of it. The role will also require regular outreach work in community and co-facilitating SMART groups. You will work in a person centered and strength-based way appropriately using your lived experience to support others.

The successful applicant will work as part of the Recovery & Justice Support Team and the wider Midlothian Health in Mind Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Services team, and support the promotion of all Health in Mind services.

An experienced adviser is required to improve the financial circumstances of the families supported by Hawthorn Children and Family Centre and Midlothian’s Family Wellbeing Service to improve the outcomes for the children.

The project will work with and receive referrals from Hawthorn Children and Family Centre and the Family Wellbeing Service team members. The worker will link with mental health projects, family support and Penicuik CAB’s specialist debt worker to develop a wraparound service to increase household income and improve the quality of life for the family.

Working closely with other project workers the post holder will provide awareness raising sessions with the Hawthorn Centre staff, Family Wellbeing team members and any other agencies, as appropriate.

Based at the Penicuik CAB, Hawthorn Children and Family Centre and working at any centres deemed appropriate, the worker will provide help and assistance with checking benefit entitlement, completing benefit applications and challenging benefit decisions. The work will also include income maximisation, budgeting advice, utilities and some assistance with debt issues (including housing debt).

A working knowledge and understanding of welfare benefits and good interpersonal skills are essential. The post holder will be responsible for developing and delivering the service to meet the needs of the families.

We are recruiting a Fundraising Officer to join Held In Our Hearts, where you will play a vital role in helping to raise funds

that directly support families impacted by pregnancy, baby and infant loss.

This is a meaningful and varied role focused on building strong relationships with local communities, individuals, volunteers, and grassroots groups across Scotland. You will support colleagues to develop creative, accessible, and engaging fundraising activities that empower supporters and ensure sustainable income for our services.

We are seeking someone with warmth, empathy, initiative, and energy – someone who thrives on connecting with people, meeting targets, and inspiring communities to make a difference. This is a unique opportunity to be the local face of our work, fostering support and compassion in every interaction.

This role requires travel across Scotland to attend events and engagement opportunities, this will also result in some weekend and evening work, for which time off in lieu will be given.

You will play an important role within our fundraising team, helping to build relationships, and increase income, in a pivotal year for the charity, as we enter our 30th anniversary year! The role will offer significant scope for development, giving you the opportunity to grow your skillset in a supportive, ambitious, and high-performing team.

This is a meaningful and varied role focused on building strong relationships with local communities, individuals, volunteers, and corporations across Scotland. You will work with members of the fundraising team to create and deliver a gold-standard stewardship experience for donors and fundraisers who support Held In Our Hearts, being actively involved across the cycle of a relationship before, during and after a gift or activity.

You will work with fundraising colleagues to develop and lead on creative, impactful, and engaging fundraising activities that empower supporters and ensure sustainable income for our services.

We are seeking someone with warmth, empathy, initiative, and energy – someone who thrives on connecting with people, meeting targets, and inspiring individuals and communities to make a difference.

This role requires travel across Scotland, including to our Craiglockhart Office, and to attend events and engagement

opportunities, this will also result in some weekend and evening work, for which time off in lieu will be given.