We are delighted to announce that the Board of YouthLink Scotland is recruiting a new independent Chair to succeed Angela Leitch CBE, who stepped down in November 2025 after three years in post. Find out more and nominate a suitable candidate by 1st March.

At our AGM on 26th November 2025, Bill Stevenson was appointed as Interim Chairperson replacing Angela and we are thankful that he has taken on this extra responsibility on the board during this period of recruitment.

A sub-group of the Board has met to review the recruitment process for a new Chair, in line with our Memorandum and Articles of Association. We are now seeking your support to nominate an independent Chair. This person will be someone not currently employed within the youth work sector, but who brings the skills, experience and strategic fit needed to lead the organisation into its next chapter.

This is an important appointment for YouthLink Scotland and our members, as we continue our role as the national intermediary for youth work. We will also be seeking to co-opt one or two additional Board members during this period, and it is therefore vital that we attract people with a strong track record, high standing, an appropriate public profile, and a genuine commitment to our mission.

As a national charity this role is not remunerated, but expenses incurred in supporting the role will be covered.

Edinburgh Council and R2 members are coming together to recruit a co-ordinator for a new initiative, Team Around the Community (TAC), in north Edinburgh. Team Around the Community (TAC) aims to create a place-based, partnership approach to respond at the earliest stage of need and prevent escalation for children and their families. TAC works together with the council, health, justice and voluntary sector services, to notice and listen to what people need and respond collaboratively. This is built on trust in professional judgement and expertise, to empower families and build capacity. In north Edinburgh, TAC will initially focus on 3 primary schools and one early years centre in and around the Pilton area.

The role will involve working closely with the R2 network members and Council staff to develop this approach in north Edinburgh. We expect the co-ordinator to map support available to families in the described area and based on what is found develop a plan for implementation. The focus of this will, initially, be about bringing relevant practitioners together to support relational practice.

This role is funded by Edinburgh Council and will be hosted by MYDG (Muirhouse Youth Development Group) for one year initially.

Get in touch for more information:

Anita Aggarwal, R2, hello@R2northed.org.uk, 07523 267 690

Charlotte Bennett, Edinburgh Council, Charlotte.Bennett@edinburgh.gov.uk

The post of Peer Support Worker offers an exciting opportunity to improve the lives of people living with HIV and plays a vital role in Waverley Care and Scotland's ambition to reach Zero HIV Transmission by 2030.

This post will provide support services for all people living with HIV in the Lothian area, through community-based and peer support interventions focusing on reducing HIV stigma and improving wellbeing. The role will involve participating in presentations to community groups and organisations to raise awareness of HIV and to enable audiences to better understand what it is like to live with HIV. This includes working in conjunction with clinicians at various health settings to provide accessible peer support. Waverley Care peer support training is available for any applicants who have previously not undertaken full peer mentor training.

You will:

• Manage key worker responsibilities for a caseload of service users, who are people living with HIV that need additional support to access treatment and care, maintain good health, or improve their wellbeing
• Be involved in the training and development of our peer support services, as well as using their own lived experience to address HIV stigma.
• Work with service users to create a personal plan, using the Waverley Care baseline assessment tool, with identified outcomes and carry out regular reviews of these plans
• Provide in-clinic peer support to people at different health clinical settings across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
• Provide one-to-one peer support to service users to identify and overcome barriers to improving their health and well-being
• Facilitate opportunities for one-to-one and group peer support
• Promote the value of testing to different communities at risk of a BBV and offer BBV testing where appropriate
• Deliver BBV and sexual health advice and support through support interventions, events and outreach activities

About You

We are looking for a dynamic and motivated individual who:

• A demonstrable interest in, and passion for, improving the lives of people affected by blood-borne viruses (BBVs), in particular people disproportionately affected by HIV
• Living with HIV and experience of delivering peer support, which demonstrated good boundaries and support knowledge.
• Demonstrable experience in working with vulnerable groups, particularly those who are at heightened risk of HIV transmission
• Able to use their personal life experiences to influence positive change by offering support and guidance to others who might be dealing with similar challenges
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to develop positive relationships with a range of stakeholders
• Experience in project activity and leading in an area of work
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills appropriate for a wide range of audiences
• Be a strong team player, able to use your initiative and reflect on your practice
• Interested in development opportunities and further training

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a progressive organisation at a pivotal moment in Scotland’s public health journey. You’ll have the chance to influence real change, working alongside passionate colleagues committed to making a lasting impact on people’s lives.

We offer a supportive working environment with hybrid working options, professional development opportunities and a generous annual leave entitlement.

About The Carers Hub

Glasgow East End Community Carers is a registered charity which provides support to carers in the East End of Glasgow. The organisation has 2 areas of operation;

• The Carers Hub (an independent Carers Centre)
• Homecare Service - operates as a social enterprise.

The Carers Hub provides ongoing support to carers via a range of services, activities and support.

About Play-Sense

Our Play-Sense play group is a group for parents and their pre-school children with disabilities. The group runs weekly for 2 hours in a safe, fun environment where both parents and their children will benefit from increased communication and play, being with others in a similar situation and parents will get a break from full-on caring.

The Play-Sense group has been appreciated by parents who have told us that their children enjoy our messy play, sensory art and music sessions and benefit from our sensory room which they have access to during the play group time.

Who Comes to Play-Sense?

Parents and their pre-school children who have a range of disabilities or additional needs including several who are autism.

Our group has also previously been attended by those who are asylum seekers and from a range of different nationalities including African, Chinese, Korean and Polish.

About Family Nights

Family Night is a time when we provide the childcare and parent/carer get the chance to have a chat and a break. A light meal is provided for the kids. This group usually meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 5-6.30pm.

Who Comes to Family Nights

Parent/carers and their children of all ages who have a range of disability or additional support needs including several who are autism. Siblings are also welcome. It has become a friendly community where parents can get peer support and children can play and interact with others.

Who we are looking for

Sessional worker for

• 4 hours each Tuesday morning, £10.90/hour
• 3 hours once a month on a Thursday evening.
• Seasonal trips and activities during school holidays.

We are looking for experienced, reliable childcare workers who enjoy working with children and would like sessional work. Candidates must be committed to equality of opportunity and enjoy working with families from all backgrounds. Experience of working with children with autism and other additional support needs is helpful but not essential.

Please see attached Job Description or call Ruth Forsythe, Carers Hub Manager on 0141 764 0550 for further information.

We are currently looking for TRUSTEES of all backgrounds who have a passion for helping to make a positive difference to the lives of adults who have been in care.

Who we are

The Rees Foundation is a national charity based in Worcestershire that seeks to support adults who have, at some stage in their lives, been in foster care or residential care. Our focus is on the reality of many people’s transitions from being in care and moving into adult life, and the ongoing impact that care experience can have on a person's ability to reach their full potential.

Rees is resolute that care shouldn’t stop at 18, 21, or 25 years, it’s lifelong, and someone should be there to care. We listen, offer practical and emotional help, and we develop projects that really make a positive difference.

The role

The role of a Trustee is to ensure that the charity fulfils its duty to its beneficiaries and delivers on its vision, mission and values. The Board of Trustees are jointly and individually responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity, its financial health, the probity of its activities, and developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines.

Our Board currently comprises members with a variety of skills in social care, strategic planning, finance and business.

As we have recently extended our registration to operate in Scotland, we are particularly keen to strengthen Scottish representation on our Board. We would welcome applications from individuals who have:

• Experience or professional understanding of the Scottish charity governance framework and OSCR regulations.
• Knowledge of the Scottish care system, including transitions, aftercare, or leaving-care support in a Scottish context.
• Connections to communities or organisations across Scotland that can help us better serve care-experienced adults in the region.

We would especially welcome applications from people who have professional knowledge and/or experience in the following areas:

• Finance (management accounting)
• Digital systems
• Fundraising
• Lived experience of being in care

We are also keen to increase diversity within the Board. We particularly welcome those from an ethnic minority background, the LGBTIQA+ community, people with disabilities, and younger people, as these are currently under-represented on our Board.

This role will involve carrying out a range of administrative tasks for our UpStream youth counselling team in Glasgow. Tasks include responding to enquiries from members of the public and participants, managing appointments and referrals, supporting the team with publicity and communications, and helping gather and organise data for monitoring and evaluation.

We are looking for candidates with experience in administration who are organised and confident using systems and technology. The role requires someone who communicates warmly and confidently with people from a wide range of backgrounds, helping to create a welcoming and supportive first point of contact for the service. The role will also involve providing flexible administrative support and occasionally assisting with project activities.

As Bethany is a Christian organisation this post carries an Occupational Requirement in line with Equality Act 2010. Please note that one reference must be from your church minister or leader to endorse your live and active Christian faith and commitment. Successful applicants for this post will require membership of the PVG scheme.

About the PKD Charity:

Founded in 2000, we’re the first and only UK charity solely dedicated to improving the lives of an estimated 70,000 individuals and their families affected by polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in the UK.

PKD is a range of life-threatening inherited conditions that can cause kidney failure and affect other organs in the body such as the liver, brain, heart and bowels. Most people with PKD live with an uncertain prognosis, intermittent pain and infections, and then have to undergo life saving dialysis or transplant in their 50s.

A few babies have a rare form of PKD which results in death during pregnancy or shortly after birth; the surviving children often have to have either a kidney or liver transplant before the age of 10.

• We provide reliable, accredited information, advice and personalised support.
• We raise awareness of the burden of PKD, both clinical and psychosocial.
• We fund research aimed at understanding more about PKD and the discovery of therapies that will improve quality and longevity of life.
• We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone and encourage applications from all sections of the community.

About the Project

PKD Scotland: Outreach and Community Connections Project.

It is estimated that around 5,000 people in Scotland could be living with Polycystic Kidney Disease. It is however often poorly understood and historically underfunded, meaning people can leave clinic after diagnosis with little support beyond medical appointments.

Many tell us they don't know where to turn for emotional support or to meet others living with the same condition. We want to change that and with support from a National lottery Awards for All grant that is exactly what we are going to do.

The eighteen-month project will see us reach into hospitals across Scotland to try and ensure that no one with PKD in Scotland has to manage their journey on their own. From diagnosis onwards we want all to be aware of the charity, the array of services that we offer and foster engagement.

Two new volunteer led support groups will be established and a group of ambassadors recruited to support the ongoing connections we make to ensure that PKD remains in the spotlight. As our Scotland PKD Engagement Officer you will be central to the success of the project.

Many people only reach us years after diagnosis, often when symptoms worsen, but we know that early connection can make a real difference. PKD is lifelong and people face new challenges at every stage. Having support around them helps them stay confident, informed and connected.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As PKD’s Scotland Engagement Officer, you will play a central role in delivering this ambitious outreach project.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will raise awareness of the PKD Charity and its services, ensuring that people diagnosed with PKD are informed about available support from the earliest possible stage.

You will build and nurture relationships with NHS professionals and services across Scotland, helping embed PKD Charity information and resources into patient pathways. Alongside this, you will work closely with volunteers to establish two new PKD support groups and develop an ambassador programme to maintain long-term local engagement and visibility.

This is an exciting opportunity for a confident relationship-builder who enjoys working autonomously while contributing to a small and dedicated team. Your work will help ensure that people living with PKD across Scotland feel informed, connected and supported throughout every stage of their condition.

SCOREscotland is Recruiting!

Are you an enthusiastic and experienced project leader who enjoys working with young people from diverse backgrounds? If so, we would be delighted to hear from you.

About the Role

We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Youth Project Leader to support young people aged 14–18 living in SW Edinburgh. The successful candidate will help young people build the confidence, knowledge, and practical skills needed to engage in meaningful climate action that reflects their lived experiences and the needs of their communities. You will plan and deliver inclusive, youth-centred activities in safe and welcoming local spaces, creating opportunities for learning, discussion, and climate action. Please see attached job description for more details.

About the Organisation

SCOREscotland is a small but dynamic charity based in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh. We work in partnership with local communities and organisations to address the causes and impacts of racism and to promote race equality.

Are you passionate about design and communications? Can you develop impactful, eye-catching graphic designs? Can you grow audiences across digital channels? If so, we want to hear from you.

Join our vibrant team of staff and volunteers delivering high quality youth work services supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex young people right across Scotland.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and innovative person to support our communications work across the charity.

You will:

• Plan, implement and evaluate communications campaigns to raise awareness of the impact of our work and funds to support it
• Ensure consistent messaging across all platforms with a focus on suitability for target audiences

This is a fantastic opportunity to use your design and communications skills to make a lasting, and sometimes lifesaving, impact for LGBTQ+ young people

We want to hear from you if you have:

• Excellent writing skills and the ability to produce creative, impactful copy
• Experience creating content for a range of audiences, aligned to charity values and voice
• An understanding of LGBT identities and the key issues facing LGBTQ+ young people – or a willingness to learn this

Are you passionate about design and communications? Can you develop impactful, eye-catching graphic designs? Can you grow audiences across digital channels? If so, we want to hear from you.

Join our vibrant team of staff and volunteers delivering high quality youth work services supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex young people right across Scotland.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and innovative person to support our communications work across the charity.

You will:

• Develop and deliver engaging and informative digital communications
• Oversee branding and design work to support resources and campaigns across the charity.

This is a fantastic opportunity to use your design and communications skills to make a lasting, and sometimes lifesaving, impact for LGBTQ+ young people

We want to hear from you if you have:

• Experience of growing online communities on a range of platforms
• Strong experience in using creative tools including Adobe creative cloud, canva and Wordpress
• An understanding of LGBT identities and the key issues facing LGBTQ+ young people – or a willingness to learn this