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.

Feniks Counselling, Personal Development and Support Services Ltd. is seeking a passionate and driven Policy Development Officer to champion the rights of Polish and other Central and Eastern European (CEE) communities in Scotland.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape policy, influence decision-makers and amplify community voices at local and national level.

The Role

You will lead on policy and advocacy work, engaging with stakeholders including statutory services and the Scottish Government. Working closely with colleagues and community members, you will gather evidence, develop briefings and consultation responses, raise awareness of key issues, and support greater civic participation.

The role is primarily home-based, with occasional office attendance and travel as required. We warmly welcome applications from candidates based outside Edinburgh.

About You

You will bring at least two years’ experience in policy or advocacy work, excellent research and report-writing skills, and confidence engaging with stakeholders at all levels. Fluency in English and Polish is essential.

We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, collaborative and committed to equality, human rights and social justice.

Annual leave:34 days per annum, pro rata

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) (Registered Charity Number 1213337) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people aged eight to 18 years from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records.

There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Purpose of the post

The Engagement and Involvement Officer will play a central role in supporting meaningful engagement and involvement of young people, families, schools and other interest-holders in the process of designing, delivering and ensuring the best outputs from the Adolescent Health Study.

Primarily, the postholder will be responsible for the stewardship and coordination of the AHS Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG). The post-holder will provide ongoing support to YPAG members to ensure their active participation in opportunities to inform and shape the work of AHS. This will include working closely with the adults in the YPAG members’ lives, including parents/carers, teachers and other relevant adults or professionals. The postholder will also be required to build positive working relationships with other organisations and institutions that work directly with young people. They will support the Engagement and Involvement Lead to develop mechanisms to reach wider and more diverse groups of young people to take part in engagement and involvement activities at AHS.

This is a role that requires confidence, autonomy, enthusiasm and skill. The post-holder will be a strong advocate for children’s rights, have a sound working knowledge and understanding of safeguarding practices, and demonstrate experience of co-ordinating youth advisory groups, youth councils or similar.

Urban Uprising is growing – and we’re looking for new Trustees to help shape our next chapter.

Would you like to support an ambitious, values-driven charity that helps inspire and empower young people facing disadvantage? We are recruiting two Trustees to join our Board and help guide Urban Uprising through an exciting period of growth.

About Urban Uprising

Urban Uprising improves the life chances of disadvantaged young people through rock climbing.

Our programmes support physical, social and personal development, giving young people access to highly trained, positive adult role models. We work with those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to take part in activities like climbing, helping them build confidence, resilience and a sense of possibility.

We currently work in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Cambridge and Bristol, partnering with local youth organisations to reach young people experiencing disadvantage, often from deprived communities.

Our Board

Urban Uprising is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) with a committed and supportive Board of Trustees drawn from a range of backgrounds.

The Board meets at least four times per year, with additional engagement and input as needed between meetings. Trustees work collaboratively with each other and the staff team to ensure strong governance, strategic direction and long-term sustainability.

The role

Trustees play a central role in the governance of Urban Uprising and support the charity’s mission and values at a strategic level.

We are looking for two people to join the Board. We are intentionally keeping this role open and skills-agnostic and are keen to hear from people who are motivated, thoughtful and care deeply about supporting young people.

No previous Trustee experience is required. Induction, training and ongoing support will be provided.

Key points:

• Strategic oversight and good governance
• Supporting a growing, impactful charity
• Reasonable and consistent time commitment
• Non-remunerated role; reasonable expenses reimbursed
• Location is flexible
• Inclusive charity – we welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds