Policy and Public Affairs Officer
- Full time
- £30,961
- Edinburgh, Great Michael House
- Closing 24th September 2023
- Advertised from 30th August 2023
Role
Our Policy and Public Affairs Officer connects with and influences politicians and senior decision makers to make society better for people who have mental health challenges, have mental illness and their families.
In this critical role you will work closely with the Director of Public Affairs and Communications to develop and implement a policy and influencing strategy to ensure that the voices of people we support, and their families are heard in all the places they need to be.
You will build powerful relationships with politicians, civil servants and partners and feel comfortable representing the organisation at a range of different stakeholder events. You will love policy and public affairs, enjoy mastering details and offering sound advice. You will respond on behalf of the organisation to consultations and events and will be comfortable doing lots of reading and writing. You will enjoy building powerful and meaningful relationships.
What I do and what I achieve
I ensure that we have a robust policy and public affairs process in order, to respond to events and consultations, set up meetings with influencers, write briefings for those meetings and record our interactions on the Lobbying Register.
I develop and implement a policy and public affairs strategy which means we engage with external stakeholders, have our key messages disseminated and ensure that the voices of our members and the people we support are heard at all levels.
I ensure that Change Mental Health’s Public Affairs and Stakeholder policies are kept relevant for our staff and promoted throughout the organisation.
I collaborate on key communications documents and channels, including with our newsletter, website and support the high-quality use of our social media channels.
When agreed, I engage with parliamentarians and stakeholders, representing Change Mental Health and advocating for our policy agenda
I take ownership of policy developments in fields relevant to Change Mental Health’s work and take it on myself to ensure I am up to date and well informed of recent developments.
I write briefings for the Director of Public Affairs and Communications, the CEO and Board as needed.
I write briefings for debates in Parliament and communicate with members of Parliaments.
I organise and undertake the administration of events that support our policy platform whether that be events at party conferences, cross party groups, parliamentary receptions or other activity that support the charity.
I network and build relationships with different stakeholders across the private, third and state sectors.
I support the work of the National Rural Mental Health Forum and organise meetings.
Who I am
I am passionate about policy and public affairs, the difference that they can make and using the public realm to improve things for people who experience mental illness and their families.
I am both a people person that can make great relationships with people, but I am also organised and enjoy immersing myself in detail.
I have a strong and demonstrable knowledge and experience of working in policy and public affairs.
I am comfortable and adept with the tools of the modern world including various online communications platforms and social media.
I have a positive and enthusiastic ‘can do’ attitude and thrive on working in a dynamic workplace where I understand that everyone needs to be a leader.
I have excellent literacy and research skills and I am very comfortable reading, comprehending and writing. I enjoy making complex things simpler and more relevant for others.
I have excellent interpersonal skills and work well with others. I can demonstrate how I have built relationships with external stakeholders.
I can work under pressure and to exacting timelines plus produce high quality work at all times.
I am ambitious about what I, my team and the organisation can achieve. I see a challenge as an opportunity to improve and deliver outstanding service and support. I am a changemaker.
Benefits
- Professional development including funded opportunities.
- A generous 37 days’ holiday.
- Access to travel season ticket loan.
- A great work life balance with flexible and blended working environment.
- 24/7 access to an award-winning Employee Assistance Programme providing free legal, financial and medical advice as well as support with life’s challenges.
- Enhanced sick pay and leave entitlements
- Paid Mental Wellbeing Days
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Blue Light Discount Card
Application notes
To find out more and apply please visit our website
Application deadline: 24/09/2023
Top job! Charity Manager
- Full time or Part time
- £38,788
- Hybrid: Campbell House, Gartnavel Royal Hospital in Glasgow’s West End
- Closing 9th January 2026
Common Wheel is a Glasgow-based charity dedicated to supporting people with mental health issues. Our vision is for individuals to live meaningful, satisfying lives and contribute to society. Our mission focuses on improving mental wellbeing, building skills, reducing isolation, and challenging stigma through creative, practical activities like music, art, bike building, and climbing. We have been supporting people manage or recover from mental illness for 25 years. We work in the community, in hospital wards and care homes and at our 2 purpose-built bike workshops in Maryhill and Glasgow.
Role Overview
The Charity Manager will lead the day-to-day operations of Common Wheel, ensuring the effective delivery of programmes, sound financial management, communications as well as contributing to successful fundraising. With an annual income of between £250,000 and £300,000, the charity is at a pivotal stage of growth and impact. The Manager will play a key role in shaping strategy, managing the team, and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Management
- Lead and manage a small team of 7-10 staff, a pool of freelance practitioners and a team of volunteers.
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing organisational culture.
- Work closely with the Board of Trustees to develop and implement strategic plans.
Programme Delivery
- Oversee the planning, execution, and evaluation of all programmes and services, such as build-your-own-bike workshops, climbing, art, music and others.
- Ensure programmes align with the charity’s mission and deliver measurable impact to participants.
- Monitor performance and report on outcomes to funders and trustees.
Fundraising & Income Generation
- Develop and implement a fundraising strategy to sustain and grow income.
- Cultivate relationships with funders, grant-makers, corporate partners, referrers and community supporters.
- Work with our Fundraiser to prepare funding applications and manage grant reporting requirements.
Finance & Governance
- Manage the charity’s budget, ensuring financial sustainability and compliance.
- Oversee financial reporting, including monthly management accounts and annual audits, working with our finance manager and treasurer.
- Ensure compliance with charity legal and regulatory requirements.
Communications & Stakeholder Engagement
- Represent the charity externally, acting as a spokesperson and champion for Common Wheel when required.
- Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including beneficiaries, partners, and funders.
- Oversee marketing, communications, and public relations activities.
Person Specification
Essential
- Proven experience in charity management or a leadership role in an equivalent organisation.
- Strong understanding of fundraising, financial management, and governance.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to lead and motivate a team.
- Strategic thinker with hands-on operational capability.
- Interest in mental health and a commitment to challenge the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Desirable
- Experience working with a charity of similar size and scope.
- Knowledge of the charity’s sector or beneficiary group.
- Familiarity with regulation, relevant systems and processes
From September 2026 and initially for three years
Due to the expiry of the term of office of the current Chair, COSCA (Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland) needs a new Chair to provide strategic direction and governance.
As Scotland’s professional body for counselling and psychotherapy, COSCA aims to advance and support all forms of counselling, psychotherapy, and the use of counselling skills, build confidence in counselling and psychotherapy and protect the public in its use of services.
The Chair will be a facilitator, a diplomat, a communicator, a coach, a leader and a listener. The Chair will:
- attend and chair Board meetings (4 per annum)
- provide leadership and guide the members of the Board to set overall policy and targets and monitor outcomes
- understand the voluntary sector, governance of a charity, charity law and the funding of charities
- be committed to the advancement of counselling and psychotherapy and enthusiasm for COSCA’s work
- be a strategic thinker, be able to communicate well and work collaboratively with colleagues and the Chief Executive
- be willing to devote time and effort to the organisation and represent COSCA where appropriate.
Out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.
Peer Support Worker – Rapid Response
- Part time
- £26,026 pro-rata
- On site: Dalkeith with travel throughout Midlothian
- Closing 5th January 2026
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.
Development Worker - Midlothian Access Point & Guided Self-Help
- Part time
- £29,834 pro-rata
- On site: Midlothian
- Closing 12th January 2026
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!
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