Paragon Music is an inclusive arts company inspiring people to create and perform their own music and dance. We are passionate about using music and the arts to raise people’s aspirations, self-image, teamwork, communication and learning. We believe that music and the arts have the power to transform lives when guided by two key principles - Equality and Inclusion.

Paragon’s vision is a more equal and inclusive society where people flourish individually and together through music and dance.

About the role

Paragon is seeking skilled and motivated individuals to join our Board of Directors. We are recruiting people who possess strategic vision, good independent judgement but above all, people who share our values of equity and inclusion.

We welcome applications from those with lived experience of disability including mental health conditions. We also welcome applications from those protected under the 2010 Equalities Act due to age, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. Those with care experience, caring responsibilities and on low incomes are encouraged to apply and we will accept applications in any format and meet any interview expenses.

We welcome applicants with experience in any discipline or industry, either paid or voluntary. At the moment we are particularly keen to recruit people with skills and experience in any of the following areas:

· People & Wellbeing (HR)

· Accountancy

· IT - Technology & Science

· Fundraising

· Marketing

· Sustainability

Previous experience in a similar position would be welcome, although not required as training opportunities and a full induction will be offered.

The Board meets 4 times per year for 2-3 hours on weekdays, usually in the evenings. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed and training and ongoing support will be provided, the role is non-remunerated.

We are seeking 2 people to join our Board in 2024 to work alongside our existing board trustees in supporting The Work Room in its mission to empower artists in making thoughtful and pioneering dance for diverse contexts at home and internationally.

We’d love to hear from you if you share our values and are:

• Keen to generously share your experience and skills to support our work with independent dance artists;
• Committed to working inclusively to ensure our work is accessible and relevant;
• Interested in experimentation and new ideas as we respond to current and future challenges.

You don’t need to have previous experience of being on a board and for many of our existing trustees, this has been their first experience in such a role. The Trustees work collectively and you will be provided a full induction to help you understand the role and responsibilities of being a charity trustee.

We also want to make sure our board is made up of a diverse range of intersectional identities and experiences. The Work Room recognises systemic exclusion within the arts sector and we are striving to put equity and inclusion at the heart of our work. We are working towards an Anti-Racism practice and we want the board to reflect the diversity of our membership.

The Work Room operates a co-chairing approach in which two members are responsible for effectively facilitating and steering the board and governance processes. We are specifically seeking one new trustee who will take on the role of Co-Chair.

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.

Scottish Book Trust is a national charity that believes books, reading and writing have the power to change lives. A love of reading inspires creativity, improves employment opportunities, mental health and wellbeing and is one of the most effective ways to help break the poverty cycle. We work towards a Scotland where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive through literacy.

We are looking for an enthusiastic administrator with excellent communications and organisational skills to join the Early Years team at Scottish Book Trust.

What we offer

• Full time, fixed-term role

• Competitive salary

• Flexible hybrid working between home and our Edinburgh City Centre Office, with great access by train, bus, and tram

• Generous holiday entitlement

• Company Sick Pay

• Pension with additional 5% employer contributions

• Death in service benefit

• Free access to employee assistance programme

Among many other programmes, Scottish Book Trust delivers Bookbug, Scotland’s national early years book gifting programme, which provides a free, high quality, book bag for every baby, toddler, three-year-old and primary 1 child in the country and is funded by Scottish Government.

The Early Years Operations Administrator provides reliable and efficient administration to support the smooth running of the Early Years programme, with a particular focus on operational aspects.

scottishbooktrust.com/bookbug