Lesmahagow Development Trust is based at the Fountain Community Centre in Lesmahagow. Our organisation is first and foremost community-led, with the community at the heart of everything we do. We are a forward thinking, creative and diverse organisation that has an ambitious and exciting future ahead with a dedicated and committed team of staff, volunteers and Board.

We are looking to add to our staff team as we move forward to the next phase of our development. These newly created positions will be a core part of our organisations vision to increase the opportunities and support services for local people.

Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund , this role focuses on supporting our young people to achieve their potential .

We’re looking for a talented, experienced youth worker to join LDT and support young people to develop in ways that are meaningful to them. The role will support the planning and development of youth and community support across LDT activity including our Allotments growing/ greenspace skills programme, and wider events and universal youth work as required.

The Youth Development Worker will play a strong role in planning and delivering engaging youth work sessions across the LDT Community programme and for ensuring young people are engaged across our organisation.

The post holder will act as a critical relationship builder, as needed by linking in with families and referral partners.

You will have experience of providing youth work activity to people in communities and be passionate about supporting people to improve and enhance their lives.

Background information

Do you want to help alleviate poverty and improve the lives of families and children?

Within the UK there is over £22bn a year in unclaimed welfare benefits, and in Edinburgh it is estimated that 1 in 4 children are living in poverty. Are you understanding of people’s journeys and the challenges they face in their lives, and how poverty can have an impact on this?

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Growing Families project and help deliver a quality advice service to families with young children in Edinburgh. Working alongside the project’s current advice team and working in partnership with Health Visitors in Edinburgh, this post will support and develop this service. The Advice Worker will provide income maximisation; housing and debt advice as well budgeting support to expecting families and families with babies and young children who are supported by their Health Visitors. Comprehensive and continuous advice training is provided by CHAI to support this rewarding role.

The Advisor will be part of our wider CHAI ‘Advice For Families’ Team and will benefit from our comprehensive training programme, peer expertise, team support and ethos of continuous learning and development which is at the heart of our service delivery.

Are you?:

• Passionate and committed to making a meaningful difference for families and children.
• Able to quickly learn complex rules and legislation on Welfare Benefits, Debt and Housing.
• Able to grow trusting relationships in a formal setting.
• Understanding of people’s journeys and the challenges they have had in their lives, and how poverty can have an impact on them.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Do you want to help alleviate poverty and improve the lives of families and children?

Within the UK there is over £22bn a year in unclaimed welfare benefits, and in Edinburgh it is estimated that 1 in 4 children are living in poverty. Are you understanding of people’s journeys and the challenges they face in their lives, and how poverty can have an impact on this?

This is an exciting opportunity for an Advice Worker to join our ‘Advice In Schools’ team.

The project provides a high-quality advice service to families in Edinburgh who are impacted by low income and the effects of living in poverty. Working in partnership with all stakeholders including parents, schools and other statutory and third sector agencies, the project takes a whole family and trauma-informed approach to helping parents who may face multiple barriers to moving out of poverty. The Advice Worker will help families by maximising income, providing support to claim benefits as well as offering housing and debt advice. Continuous training is provided and the adviser is expected to contribute to the continued development of this successful service.

The Advisor will be part of our wider CHAI ‘Advice For Families’ Team and will benefit from our comprehensive training programme, peer expertise, team support and ethos of continuous learning and development which is at the heart of our service delivery.

Are you?:

• Passionate and committed to making a meaningful difference for families and children.
• Able to quickly learn complex rules and legislation on Welfare Benefits, Debt and Housing.
• Able to grow trusting relationships in a formal setting.
• Understanding of people’s journeys and the challenges they have had in their lives, and how poverty can have an impact on them.

North Berwick Trust is a community-focused charity dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents of North Berwick. Led by a Board of charity Trustees with the support of two part-time employees, the Trust works in partnership with others to address community needs and ensure long-term benefits for the town through the North Berwick Forever Fund.

The Trust has significant financial assets which allows it to distribute funding through its grant-giving programme to individuals and organisations that promote recreation, culture, sport, education, lifelong learning, and the conservation of North Berwick’s historic and natural environment. In addition, the Trust develops and maintains 20 hectares of its own land holdings for community use.

With a vision to make North Berwick more sustainable, resilient, vibrant, inclusive, and equitable, the Trust focuses on six strategic aims: enhancing community facilities and opportunities, preserving the town’s heritage and green spaces, supporting those in need, and securing long-term funding for future generations.

Background to the role of Chair

Sir David Tweedie, the current Chair of North Berwick Trust, will step down from his role in the summer after leading the Trust through a very successful period. The Trust now seeks an inspiring and committed successor to lead the Trust through its next phase.

Whilst the Trust manages sizable assets, it remains a small organisation that is very much led by the Chair and Board of charity Trustees who are expected to balance both strategic leadership responsibilities and occasional involvement in day-to-day operations.

In addition to leading the Board of charity Trustees, the role demands sound judgment in managing the various governance issues that may arise between meetings. A key responsibility will be overseeing the Trust’s significant financial investments, ensuring that funds are effectively managed to support both current and future community needs. The position is initially for a three-year tenure.

The Trust is looking for the next Chair to have a close connection to North Berwick, whether through living or working in the area. They will have an understanding of local needs and priorities and have an appreciation of how the Trust can add value to support local causes.

The successful candidate will be an experienced leader, capable of providing clear direction and support to the Board and Trust staff, ensuring that the Trust’s long-term vision is delivered. Acting as the Trust’s ambassador, they will be the external face of the charity attending events, community meetings and social functions ensuring that the good name of the Trust is always promoted.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced chair and/or leader that possesses good intellect and the ability to get on well with people. They will have a decisive but calm and empathetic style demonstrating excellent communication and organisations skills.

For those who share the Trust’s commitment to the North Berwick community and have the necessary leadership experience, this is a great opportunity to help shape its future.