Do you have a passion for building strong relationships and community connections? If so, we have an exciting opportunity to join Dates-n-Mates as a Community Engagement & Event Lead. You will be based in our North East Team covering Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Introduction to Dates-n-Mates

Dates-n-Mates Scotland is an organisation run by and for adults who have a learning disability. We are Scotland’s first friendship and dating agency connecting people in Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Falkirk, Aberdeen, Stirling, and Clackmannanshire.

Formerly a project of C-Change Scotland for 15 years, Dates-n-Mates became an independent charity in 2023. Our work is underpinned by a human rights-based approach, and we believe it is people’s right to live life free of discrimination and to develop relationships of their choosing, to love and be loved. We are award-winning and received a Scottish Charity Award for Pioneering Project in 2017 and were finalists in the category of Scottish Charity of the Year in 2024.

Role Requirements

This role requires the postholder to deliver high-quality, safe, fun, and empowering events and workshops in the local community for people with learning disabilities. You will be part of a small team working remotely and must have the ability to be proactive in managing your workload and meeting funders targets. The postholder should have the confidence and ability to engage in a variety of activities including delivering skills development workshops to members and delivering quality presentation to stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities include

• Coordinating and delivering events and workshops across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
• Recording, monitoring, and evaluating your work effectively.
• Building and maintaining positive relationships with Dates-n-Mates members, colleagues, volunteers, stakeholders, and partner organisations.
• Upholding and promoting the values of Dates-n-Mates.

Please refer to the detailed job description below.

You can learn more about Dates-n-Mates by visiting our website: datesnmates.org.uk

ABOUT THE ROLE

Team: Strategy and Engagement/ EDI

As the EDI Strategy Lead at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, you will guide our efforts to embed equity, diversity, and inclusion into every part of our work. You’ll take the lead in helping us meet our inclusivity goals, as outlined in our new strategy, ensuring our organisation is welcoming and accessible to everyone—including those who are neurodivergent.

You’ll work closely with the senior leadership team to shape and deliver initiatives that create meaningful, lasting change. Your work will help ensure that Walk Wheel Cycle Trust is a place where people of all backgrounds, identities, and ways of thinking feel valued, supported, and able to thrive.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead our EDI work across the UK, ensuring our approach is inclusive of neurodivergent people and others who experience barriers to participation.
• Support learning and reflection across the organisation by helping us better understand how EDI—including neurodiversity—affects our culture, systems, and ways of working. Develop and deliver a four-year EDI action plan, with clear, achievable steps that reflect a wide range of lived experiences and communication styles.
• Coach and mentor Directors and leaders, helping them take shared responsibility for building an inclusive and psychologically safe environment.
• Be a visible advocate for inclusion, representing Walk Wheel Cycle Trust in the media and public spaces, using accessible language and inclusive messaging.
• Collaborate with our fundraising team to identify opportunities that support and sustain our EDI goals.

This role is for someone who enjoys helping leaders and supporting them to think in new ways. You will work alongside them to make positive changes happen. As a “critical friend,” you will be kind, honest, and supportive while helping the charity improve how it includes people.

In this role, you will build trust with leaders, encourage them to see things differently, and give them the support they need to make a bigger impact. Your work will focus on improving opportunities for people who face the greatest barriers to walking, wheeling, and cycling. By doing this, you will help ensure that more people feel included and able to take part.

ABOUT YOU

We’re looking for someone who has experience and understanding in the areas listed below. You don’t need to meet every requirement — if you feel you’d be a good fit, we encourage you to apply.

• Ongoing learning in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI): You’ve recently taken part in training, development, or reflective practice that deepens your understanding of EDI—including neurodiversity, disability inclusion, and intersectionality.
• Proven experience leading change:
• You’ve successfully guided teams or organisations through change, with a focus on inclusive practices and psychological safety for all—especially those who may experience barriers due to neurodivergence or other marginalisation.
• Leadership in EDI programmes and initiatives: You’ve led or co-led impactful EDI work, such as strategy development, inclusive policy design, or community engagement—centering lived experience and accessibility.
• Inclusive leadership style: You lead in a way that values different communication styles, sensory needs, and ways of thinking. You create space for others to contribute in ways that work for them.
• Experience applying inclusive design principles: You’ve worked with communities and partners to co-create environments, services, or systems that are accessible, welcoming, and responsive to diverse needs—including neurodivergent perspectives.

WHAT WE OFFER

We want you to feel supported, valued, and empowered in your role. That’s why we offer flexible working, a positive team environment, and benefits designed to support your wellbeing, finances, and family life.

Wellbeing Support

• 28 days’ leave per annum plus bank holidays for full-time employees
• Option to buy an extra week of annual leave (pro-rata for part-time employees)
• Paid volunteer days to support causes you care about
• Free, confidential support service available 24/7
• Access to cycle-to-work schemes through Green Commute Initiative and Cycle Scheme

Financial Benefits

• Group Personal Pension scheme with a 6% or 7% of basic salary contribution being matched by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust
• Bike, computer and season ticket loans
• Discount benefits
• London Weighting Allowance of £4,530 per annum for all those living within a London Borough (32 local authority districts plus the City of London).
• Death in Service benefit – 3 x annual Salary

Family Friendly Policies

• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Flexible Working practices (full time hours are 37.5 per week, Monday - Friday)

About the Coalition of Care & Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS)

CCPS is the voice of not-for-profit social care and support providers in Scotland. Our vision is for people and communities to thrive with the support of a rights-based, sustainable system of social care and support. As a membership organisation, we aim to work collectively to make sure not-for-profit social care providers have the right landscape to deliver the best possible support for people and communities.

About the role

We are recruiting a Parliamentary Officer to help to position us with political stakeholders as a credible, solutions-focused strategic partner in the reform of social care, and support delivery of our wider influencing work.

With a new government in place from May and major changes anticipated in the Scottish political landscape over the coming year, this role will focus on establishing strong relationships and influence for CCPS, prioritising the Scottish Parliament but also engaging in UK or local political spheres where appropriate.

You will be a great communicator and able to draw on demonstrable experience of the national political landscape in Scotland; a detailed understanding of the workings of the Scottish Parliament; and experience of advising on development of effective political influencing strategies.

You’ll be committed to working collaboratively and upholding the values of CCPS in all you do so that we can achieve our vision together. We’ll be committed to developing you and your career in a forward-thinking and supportive organisation.