We are looking to develop a third sector employability pathway in Angus. Sustainable well-paid employment is essential for tackling poverty and the third Sector in Scotland has an incredibly diverse range of possibilities with around 45,000 organisations employing over 138,000 people. Sectors include social care, health support services, sports, arts, heritage, environment, culture, community work, campaigning, housing, animals, and education. Approximately 250,000 unpaid Trustees and 1.3 million volunteers also support the sector.

The main beneficiaries of this project will be those looking for opportunities to enter or re-enter the labour market through a coordinated response of opportunities created by and with the third sector in Angus, in partnership with strategic partners as part of the Local Employability Partnership. Helping people to become employable, to avoid underemployment, and to stay in work is a priority for third sector and public service agencies in Angus. By developing an employability response across the third sector, outcomes we will work towards are:

• Strengthening the third sector employability offer and visibility of such, across Angus.
• Championing third sector as a key partner in delivering employment outcomes.
• Enabling positive pathways for volunteers looking to develop skills which in turn supports wellbeing and prospects for entering or re-enter the job market.
• Third sector organisations gain a greater understanding of the policies that affect their work, enabling them to make more informed decisions.
• Third sector organisations are better equipped with knowledge, skills, services, and resources to meet community and organisational needs.

Voluntary Action Angus (VAA) is seeking a highly motivated and dedicated to work with the TSI Project Manager and wider team, to support third sector organisations in Angus who deliver employability services. Working with key partners this outward-facing team aims to raise the profile and build the capacity of the third sector; to play the fullest role possible in improving employment outcomes for the people of Angus. Key aspects of the role will involve creating employability pathways, linking to our locality, social enterprise, and project-based work, and raising the profile of the third sector as a key partner in delivering employment outcomes in Angus.

Purpose: to take forward community and volunteering development as the VAA locality worker within a specific geography. As a locality development worker you will be expected to work at strategic and operational level and take forward the strategic decision making of VAA within locality partnership settings. More specifically post holders are expected to develop a competence in the following areas of work

• Young people and volunteering- working with schools, communities and voluntary orgs to develop further the saltire awards and accredited qualification outcomes.
• To build a capacity of voluntary organisations, volunteering groups and aspiring social enterprises.
• To work in partnership with Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) and Community Planning Partnership (CPP) developments at an operational level.
• To develop local empowerment opportunities through meaningful community engagement approaches with local communities, organisations and volunteer movements.
• To promote and develop local volunteering including my street volunteering, and build buoyant volunteering cultures where all people are inspired to volunteer.
• To facilitate and co-facilitate volunteer management and volunteer skills training.
• To facilitate and support local Third Sector forums.
• Support Social prescribers within the area by making links and feeding back.
• Build Community assets and opportunities.
• Help support the start-up of organisations by helping with constitutions and organisations support.
• Work in partnership with our HSCP and CPP colleagues.
• Support volunteering by promotion, identify opportunities and matching individuals.
• Small community group support PVG, Governance etc.
• Make links with local health workers in order to identify other opportunities through VAA online directory system and other means to prevent people being placed on care packages. ]
• Working with communities and voluntary organisations to promote Saltire and accredited qualification outcomes.
• Build capacity of volunteering groups and aspiring Social Enterprises first point of contact.
• Facilitate and co -facilitate volunteer management and skills training.
• Engage with communities and groups to establish needs and wants in order to promote preventive work around mental health and wellbeing.

This list is not exhausted you may be required to carry out other duties, and also you may be required to work in the evenings and at weekends.

Are you looking to make a positive change in society through communications work? At Samaritans Scotland we are seeking a Communications Officer to join our friendly team in Edinburgh.

As Communications Officer, you’ll ensure the smooth delivery of internal and external communications in Scotland, including media and PR. Working across new and existing Samaritans’ campaigns, representing Samaritans to external stakeholders, reacting to the day-to-day news and supporting the development and delivery of a variety of projects.

You’ll be a key driver of our marketing and brand in Scotland. Working with our volunteers, story tellers and partners to support engagement and understanding of our work.

We are a flexible and inclusive organisation. We are moving from strength to strength and this role will make a real and lasting difference to ensure fewer lives are lost to suicide.

Samaritans Scotland

Join a friendly, supportive, and ambitious staff team in Scotland. Our established Policy and Communications team is working with a range of external stakeholders including the Scottish Government, MSPs and local partners to achieve change and have an impact on suicide risk. There are around 1000 Samaritans volunteers across Scotland working in our 19 branches. These volunteers respond to calls for help every day of the week via telephone, e-mail, text and in person at our branches or at events across Scotland. Our staff team works to support and promote our services and ensure that people know we’re here when they need us.

We also work with the public and the media to inform them about Samaritans and explain how we can help people find their own way forward, as well as supporting the delivery of media guidelines training in Scotland.

What’s in it for you – our benefits

So, you want to work for us? Good choice. We like it here too. We offer competitive salaries, flexible and hybrid working to suit your needs, family-friendly policies, 28 days annual leave inclusive of wellbeing days and a matched pension contribution up to 5%. You’ll have a structured induction and ongoing projects, secondments & learning opportunities. We also have colleague-led affinity groups made up of people with shared identities.

Your health and wellbeing is our priority. We have a staff community of Mental Health First Aiders, a Health Cash Plan and an Employee Assistance Programme. You’ll have free subscriptions to Headspace (your personal guide to mindfulness, sleep, focus, movement, and more) & Perkbox (an employee benefits platform with online exercise classes). That’s not all. We listen to your ideas and have staff forum and social committee networks.

Hybrid and flexible working

We are a flexible organisation, and we embrace hybrid working – a mix of connecting in person and remotely. We’re aware that the world is changing, and we all want and need different things from our work and home lives. So, if you need to walk the dog, go to the gym, or have commitments outside of work, we’re open to talking through flexible working options that work for you and us.

Being Inclusive

We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from Disabled, BAME and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans.