About Volunteering Matters

We are looking for a talented, dynamic, and compassionate Youth Engagement Manager to join our team in Edinburgh. The right candidate would be someone who can work flexibly and demonstrate an understanding and total commitment to our organisational values.

This role will be working in partnership with St Thomas of Aquins R.C High School, we have been delivering Brighter Futures here for two years and have funding till June 2025.

At Volunteering Matters we use volunteering’s unique power to bring people together and build stronger, more resilient communities across the UK.

We bring people together to resolve some of society’s most complex issues. From social isolation and loneliness; improving health and wellbeing; building skills, confidence, and opportunity; to ensuring young people can become change makers in their community, the impact that we make is great. And we won’t stop until everyone in the UK has the opportunity to thrive.

People-led and impact driven, we are a national charity that is deeply embedded in local areas across the UK. We operate in five regions: London and the South East; Wales and the West of England; East of England; the Midlands and North West England; and Scotland and North East England. We also have an Employee Volunteering Team with over 25 years’ experience, acting as a broker to provide tailor-made solutions to employers. We turn local knowledge and energy into action and progress, building stronger communities and a better future for all.

This is an exciting time to be joining the team. We’re changing the way we work to meet new ambitions and make sure our impact continues to grow alongside out business.

About the role

Project Scotland, part of the national charity Volunteering Matters, supports young people to get on in life through the power of volunteering. Brighter futures work with pupils (aged 13-16), we offer disadvantaged pupils struggling to engage with the regular school curriculum the opportunity to undertake a volunteering placement as well as the option of having a mentor. We support and empower pupils to gain skills and confidence in a new environment within the wider community, promoting a sense of belonging, whilst extending horizons and aspirations.

We are looking for a talented, dynamic, and compassionate Youth Engagement Manager to join our team in Edinburgh. The right candidate would be someone who can work flexibly and demonstrate an understanding and total commitment to our organisational values.

This role will be working in partnership with St Thomas of Aquins R.C High School, we have been delivering Brighter Futures here for two years and have funding till June 2025.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• To build relationships with secondary school pupils, particularly those on flexible timetables, who have complex and challenging barriers, acting in a non-judgemental way to support them through their Brighter Futures journey
• Consistently role modelling and displaying Volunteering Matters organisational values
• Deliver and develop the Brighter Futures Schools programme within in St Thomas of Aquins R.C High School, meeting ambitious targets and milestones, ensuring all young people engaged achieve positive outcome.
• Provide pre and post volunteering practical and emotional support to each pupil, helping to build their confidence and identify achievable goals as well support the pupil to complete awards and qualifications linked to their volunteering.
• Engaging with current charity partners, not for profit organisations and social enterprises and developing new ones in line with our Best Practice for under 16’s volunteering.
• Develop diverse, high quality and bespoke volunteer placements with third sector partners that reflect the needs and interests of pupils.
• Effective recruitment, selection, training, and ongoing support of a diverse pool of talented and dedicated volunteer mentors from a wide cross-section of the community
• To maintain Volunteering Matters standards around quality and effective Volunteer Management
• To manage all elements of a young person’s experience, from referral to completion of their journey, including managing the match with their mentor.
• To manage the risk assessment, safeguarding, quality assurance and audit processes as appropriate
• Ensure monitoring, impact and evaluation information is collected and that Brighter Futures meets it’s agreed targets, reporting format and schedule.
• Administration tasks including maintaining effective and accessible records, the use of Microsoft Office, Teams, Zoom and other software such as Canva (use to develop relevant promotional material and information)

Our Values & Way of Working:

In all that we do, we embrace a philosophy of ‘Freedom within a Framework’ and are guided by our values: Empowering, Inclusive, Compassionate, Positive & Straightforward.

Benefits

Our employee benefits reflect our culture which is built on an approach of full flexibility with accountability, and designed to let you make your most positive contribution; we offer Flexible Working by Default (re hours & place of work), Unlimited Annual Leave, Employee Pension scheme, Life Assurance, Cycle to Work Scheme, Season Ticket Loan, Employee Assistance Programme, enhanced sick and family leave. We are also open to discuss job share applications.

Apex Scotland is the leading employment and training organisation specialising in work with people with convictions.

Apex Scotland offer a diverse range of services for young people and adults to help them break down barriers and engage in education, employment, community activities and recovery focused initiatives.

We are looking to recruit a Lead Practitioner in partnership with the NHS and other Treatment providing Partners, for a period of up to 12 months. This service is designed to support participants affected by their use of Alcohol and Drugs as well as difficulties with Mental Health.

The successful applicant will prioritise trauma informed practice, team leading skills and have knowledge or experience of mentoring approaches. Experience of working with a caseload of service users and working to targets are essential. Experience of working in a community environment and an understanding of needs led practice would be an advantage.

The right candidate will have an aptitude for developing and delivering innovative services, including group sessions, and the ability to engage with hard to reach participants on a one-to-one basis. An understanding of local employability pipelines would be an advantage, as would knowledge of the network of support agencies in the Highland area. You would need to demonstrate flexibility and the ability to work in partnership.

It is anticipated that there will be some travel throughout the area therefore a driving license or access to a means of transport is essential.

Are you passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of others? Do you possess exceptional skills and a drive to create meaningful change? If so, we invite you to join our team as a Therapeutic Practitioner for our brand new Dayhab service in Aberdeen City.

As a Therapeutic Practitioner at our brand-new Dayhab facility in Aberdeen, you will play a pivotal role in providing high-quality therapeutic services to our service users. Supported and guided by the Service Manager, you will also take on a senior role in guiding and supervising volunteers within the facility.

The Role

• Provide leadership and guidance to volunteers to ensure effective delivery of services.
• Collaborate with the Service Manager and colleagues to develop and refine the Therapeutic Community program tailored to the needs of our service user
• Oversee the implementation of the Therapeutic Community program, ensuring adherence to best practices and standards.
• Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the program, making adjustments as necessary to optimize outcomes for service users.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the overall service in Aberdeen, working closely with the Service Manager and other team members.

About You

• Experience of facilitating or co-facilitating group programmes
• Experience of delivering 1 to 1 support
• An understanding of the complex issues presented by individuals within drug and alcohol recovery.
• Experience of working with individuals in the substance use sector or related field.
• The ability to be innovative and be flexible in order to meet the needs of the service.
• Be able to work effectively with multi-agencies, whilst maintaining the excellent reputation of the service.
• Knowledge of adult and child protection essential as you will be working with vulnerable people in a community setting

Your Rewards

• Starting salary of £24,250 per year, with opportunity to access potential yearly salary increments subject to appraisal, meaning potential salary increase up to £28,000
• Generous annual leave, benefits package, and continuous training opportunities
• Access to employee assistance programs and wellbeing activities
• The chance to be part of a collaborative team dedicated to making a difference
• Potential relocation package if you are not in the area - get in touch to discuss

The Service

Due to new funding from the Scottish Government, this brand new service will be based in Aberdeen City centre and is currently being procured. This community based service will be framed around our Residential Therapeutic Community model, providing a structured day service. This flexible service will run a structured group work programme in addition to 1 to 1 support, including a range of meaningful activities to build recovery capital. Ran by a small team of 3 staff with support from volunteers and peer mentors. You will also work closely and collaborate with our new Residential service based in Alford and the new Housing team also based in Aberdeen city centre.

About Phoenix Futures

Join a legacy of over 50 years in providing rehabilitation services. At Phoenix Futures, we're committed to rebuilding capacity in the residential rehab sector across England and Scotland. Your dedication will contribute to our mission of delivering hope and transformation to individuals and families affected by addiction. We believe in being the best, we are passionate about recovery, and we value our history.

Read more about our history and guiding principles on our website

Apex Scotland is the leading employment and training organisation specialising in work with people with convictions.

Apex Scotland offer a diverse range of services for young people and adults to help them break down barriers to employment and engage in education, employment or community activities.

We are looking for a full time Personal Development Mentor to join our team in the Aberdeen City for 35 hours per week.

The post will present an opportunity to cover our service we deliver in partnership with ABZ Works at Aberdeen City Council, up to 31st March 2025. This service is designed to support unemployed ex-offenders, first time offenders and those of a higher category offending background to progress. The Service has two elements: one being a delivering a Construction based course to a group and the other is offering a 1-1 service to those with an offending background. You will work in partnership with Police Scotland, Criminal Justice Social Work, local construction companies and other agencies across Aberdeen City to ensure all action plans are carefully planned and risk assessed.

The successful applicant will prioritise Team Working skills and have knowledge or experience of mentoring approaches. Experience of working with a caseload of service users and working to targets are essential. Experience of delivering training and an understanding of the construction industry is desirable. It is anticipated that there will be some travel throughout the area therefore a driving license or access to a means of transport is essential.

The right candidate will have an aptitude for developing and delivering innovative group sessions and the ability to engage with service users on a one to one basis, to assist them to overcome barriers to progression. An understanding of local employability pipelines would be an advantage, as would knowledge of the network of support agencies in the area. You would need to demonstrate flexibility and the ability to work in partnership. Some travel may be required therefore a driving licence and/or access to a means of transport would be an advantage.