ArtWise – Parenting through Creative Connections, is a newly designed project which seeks to support the whole family through an arts-based learning approach to parenting children who have experienced trauma, poor mental health, social difficulties and/or behavioural difficulties.

As Wellbeing Support Worker you will work alongside the Art Therapist to support families/parents to identify their own needs and develop coping strategies for themselves; connect with other parents/families, access peer support, and develop their local support networks by linking in with other local organisations which can support other aspects of family life e.g. benefits, welfare, food security, relationship support, nutrition etc.

Wigtown Festival Company is looking to appoint a Young People’s Engagement Officer to develop and run our year-round programmes with 15-25-year-olds. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape a fresh way of working with our target group of 15-to-25-year-olds at Wigtown Book Festival and around the year.

We are seeking a dynamic and imaginative individual who is experienced in enabling young people (YP) to develop cultural skills and explore their interests in a secure and supportive environment. The ideal candidate will be passionate about widening cultural access and overcoming barriers to participation.

Working within a small programming team and reporting to the Creative Director, they will be responsible for initiating, delivering and evaluating projects, and delivering against the aims of the Festival Company’s Young People’s Engagement Plan. An ability to self-organise and juggle multiple projects in a busy workplace is essential.

The Young People’s Engagement Post is kindly supported by The Holywood Trust.

Salary and Terms

The position is full-time / 35 hours a week. The salary is in the range of £26,000-£30,000 depending on experience, with an initial contract for two years.

WFC is a Fair Work and Real Living Wage employer and is open to flexible working from day one.

Key Responsibilities

• Working closely in partnership with a wide range of young people to programme activities (including at Wigtown Book Festival) and develop new projects according to need.
• Creating new and lasting working relationships with other YP organisations in the region and beyond.
• Building and nurturing a new young people’s advisory team.
• Developing and implementing the young people’s engagement plan and evaluation framework.
• Monitoring, evaluating and reporting on the impact of our activities with YP.
• Sourcing funding for YP projects and managing funder relationships.
• Overseeing social media and marketing for our young people’s activities.
• Occasional weekend and evening working (eg during Wigtown Book Festival) with time off in lieu.

Essential Experience and Attributes

• A proven ability to work with and engage with young people collaboratively and respectfully.
• A proven ability to build relationships with partner organisations in the cultural and third sectors.
• An understanding of monitoring and evaluating young people’s activities.
• An understanding and respect for the principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
• An understanding of the essential importance of safeguarding; PGV certificated.
• Interest in / experience of the cultural sector.
• Excellent personal, communication and teamwork skills.

Other Desirable Experience and Attributes

• Experience in budget management.
• A knowledge of Dumfries & Galloway.
• A knowledge and passion for literature.
• Familiarity with social media and marketing.

Funded through North Lanarkshire Council and as part of the Early Help and Family Support Partnership with Barnardos, Action for Children and Home Start GNNL you will deliver group activities for families across North Lanarkshire. Make it Your Own is a Creative interior design project supporting those with poor mental health, experiencing multiple deprivation or struggling to sustain a tenancy (not an exhaustive list).

This tenancy sustainability programme provides bespoke support that helps families take ownership of their tenancy and develop and make it in their style.

Participants benefit from practical decorating support and equipment, a home improvement budget as well as life-skills training and development (e.g. financial management, setting of routines) and support to set goals for the future, one step at a time.

As Wellbeing Support Worker you will work alongside the Interior designer to support families/parents to identify their own needs and develop coping strategies for themselves; connect with other parents/families, access peer support, and develop their local support networks by linking in with other local organisations which can support other aspects of family life e.g. benefits, welfare, food security, relationship support, nutrition etc.

The Marketing and Communications Manager will lead on the development and implementation of NYOS’s content marketing, communications, design and PR functions to enhance engagement with current and future stakeholders. Overseeing management of the organisation’s digital, social, print, and press output to effectively deliver promotional campaigns, implement our brand profile, and increase the awareness and reputation of the organisation to drive donations and engagement.

You will be a proactive storyteller, using new and traditional media to increase the awareness and reach of NYOS. To grow our membership, develop and diversify our audiences, strengthen the organisation’s reputation, and successfully spotlight our programmes and people. You can find out more about the role by downloading the full job description and person specification