Coordination and support days jobs in lilley, hertfordshire

Are you passionate about school libraries? Do you believe in the power of school libraries to transform children and young people’s experiences in education? Can you communicate confidently to a wide audience and range of stakeholders?  

The School Library Association (SLA) supports approximately 2000 members working in schools across the UK with advice, training and advocacy. The School Library Lead will be at the forefront of our member offer and outreach, to help us deliver on our mission to support all those working in school libraries, so that more children and young people reach their full potential through the school library.   

This role will lead on providing advice, inspiration and support for schools looking to develop their school library provision and all the benefits this brings. An expert in school libraries, you will be comfortable supporting members 1:1, delivering training to larger audiences, providing consultancy to schools and sector organisations, writing training and resources, or preparing book recommendations. An exciting opportunity for someone experienced in school libraries with knowledge of the curriculum, teaching and learning and children’s books, you will be the first port of call for library advice and expertise, contributing to the growth and sustainability of the membership network.

You will be experienced in developing relationships with a variety of stakeholders at all levels relish a busy role. This will include supporting our Branch network, collaborating on initiatives for development, delivery and new projects as they come online. As resident children’s book expert, you will support with programmes and projects such as the SLA Information Book Award and member book-related events. You will work with your SLA colleagues to develop and deliver high-quality member events and training as well as advocacy events to raise awareness of the importance of school libraries. Using your sector insight, you will identify opportunities for development of initiatives that will support the SLA vision and mission enabling us to reach more children and young people through our work.  This is a busy and rewarding role and will suit someone with passion and resilience. 

This is a full time role working remotely, throughout the year (37 hours per week). Find out more about the role including full job description and how to apply by downloading the job specification pack. 

Application deadline: 19th December 

Interviews: First round interview (online): 13th/14th January

Second round interview in person TBC: 20th/22nd January 

Applications without a covering letter will not be considered. No agencies please.   

Due to the volume of applications we cannot provide individual feedback. We really appreciate your interest. If you haven’t heard from us within four weeks of the deadline, it means we’ve moved forward with other candidates on this occasion. We encourage you to apply again in the future. Please note we may close recruitment early should the right candidate be identified.  

Make a Real Difference to Mental Health Across Bedfordshire

We are excited to offer a managerial opportunity within our Recovery Lounges, where every evening holds the power to change a life.

Recovery Lounge Manager
Post no: 656
Working Base: HQ,The Rufus Centre, Flitwick, MK45 1AH
Area Covered: Leighton Buzzard, Luton, Bedford & Biggleswade
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: 35.25 hours per week
Work Pattern: Flexible across Monday to Sunday, up to 5 Shifts on site per week, 1 Day at HQ in Flitwick each week
Salary: £28,581.08.00 per annum (£30,000.00 F.T.E)

If you’re confident working in fast-paced settings and want to support people in crisis while shaping an excellent, high-impact service, this could be the role for you.

Not only will you make a meaningful difference to people when they need it most, but you’ll also have the chance to grow your own career, working within the leading mental health charity across Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes.

As our Recovery Lounge Manager, you’ll lead the delivery of this vital service across Leighton Buzzard, Luton, Bedford, and Biggleswade. You’ll guide and coordinate our incredibly dedicated and skilled team of eight Mental Health Support Workers and our volunteers across multiple sites (as above), working closely with NHS partners to ensure every person who walks through our doors receives compassionate, safe, and high-quality support in line with our RICH values.

This is a dynamic, hands-on leadership role—perfect for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, values meaningful human connection, and is passionate about crisis prevention and mental health recovery.

What You’ll Do

• Champion the day-to-day operation of our Recovery Lounges, ensuring safe, effective, person-centred support, in line with Mind BLMK’s service delivery models, policies and procedures.
• Lead, inspire, and supervise staff and volunteers, fostering growth, wellbeing, and confidence.
• Assess individuals’ needs, offer a community setting where those who struggle with isolation can find engagement, deliver 1:1 support, and help prevent further deterioration or crisis.
• Build strong partnerships with NHS mental health services and local community groups to maximise impact.
• Maintain high standards of safeguarding, health and safety, data management, and service quality.
• Represent Mind BLMK across Bedfordshire, strengthening awareness and engagement with our crisis services.
• Work closely with the Crisis Services Delivery Manager and Operational Crisis Services Manager to deliver a successful and valued service.

You can find more information about in the Role Profile on our website.

Benefits of Working with Mind BLMK

We invest in your wellbeing, growth, and work–life balance. Benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave (pro rata) plus all Bank Holidays (usually 8, pro rata)
• NEST pension scheme with auto-enrolment
  • Employer contribution: 3%
  • Employee contribution: 5%
• Optional Health Plan
• Learning & Development opportunities, including in-house and external training
• Flexible working available on request (in line with Mind BLMK policy)
• Proud Disability Confident Employer (since 2008)
• Mindful Employer and Mindful Employer Plus signatory – demonstrating our ongoing commitment to positive mental health in the workplace

Closedown: 5pm, 7th January 2026
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if enough suitable applicants apply
Start date: ASAP

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Mind BLMK has been committed to the Mindful Employer charter and the Disability Confident Employer Scheme since 2008.

Please note: Mind BLMK follows Safer Recruitment practices and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Therefore all our roles are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

No agencies please.

Terms: 30 hours per week / 0.8 FTE, 4 days per week; two year contract with possibility for extension

Salary: £41,200 - £56,650

Location: Remote working and quarterly in-person team away days.

Line Manager: Executive Director

Please note that you must have the right to work in the UK. 

Closing Date: 4th January 2026

About BASIC

BASIC is an independent, non-profit think tank working to safeguard humanity and Earth's ecosystem from nuclear risks and interconnected security threats, for generations to come. Our vision is for a global security consensus founded on multilateralism, the recognition of the indivisibility of security, adherence to Earth's planetary boundaries, and consideration of future generations.

For nearly 40 years, we have built a global reputation for groundbreaking dialogue and incisive thought leadership to strengthen international peace and security. We are an intellectually and culturally diverse team of 20 expert-practitioners with deep institutional experience, headquartered in London with additional presences in Berlin and Rome. We are independent, receive no core funding from any state, and our project work is funded transparently.

BASIC's approach to resolving contemporary nuclear dynamics is centred on dialogue as both a practice and a philosophy. We interpret dialogue broadly, recognising that meaningful engagement takes many forms: from facilitating direct strategic conversations between adversaries grounded in conflict resolution principles, to developing networks and diplomatic initiatives that build consensus around shared objectives, to shaping the intellectual foundations of policy discourse through rigorous research and thought leadership.

BASIC is a fast-paced and rewarding environment with an exceptionally positive and inclusive team culture. We have experienced rapid growth over the past decade and are well-suited to people who are motivated by our mission, able to work at a sustained pace, keen to develop professionally, and enjoy being part of a collaborative team working on consequential issues.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary with room for growth

• 30 days annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays and closure days over the December festive period

• Employer pension contributions of 5% (above the national minimum)

• Flexible working arrangements, with set days (Wednesdays required) but flexibility on hours

• Remote working with option to use co-working space

• 1-2 all-staff in-person team away day per year, as well as other in-person working opportunities

• Opportunities for professional growth and development

• Excellent team culture built on respect, openness, and inclusion

The Role

BASIC is seeking an experienced and strategic Communications Manager to lead and implement effective communication strategies that amplify our mission, enhance our brand identity, and strengthen engagement with key audiences. The ideal candidate will have exceptional written and verbal communication skills, a proactive approach to storytelling, and the ability to collaborate across the organisation to ensure clear, consistent, and impactful messaging.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Communications Manager will play a central role in shaping BASIC’s external presence, working across programmes to craft compelling narratives for social media, the website, and other digital platforms, as well as press contacts.

The Communications Manager will be the point of contact for all communication activity and will be responsible for setting the strategy and communicating this to the team. As an organisation, BASIC is keen to develop brand identity, particularly amongst our programmes and the Communications Manager will be instrumental in developing this work. 

Key Responsibilities

Organisational Communications & Strategy

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with BASIC’s mission and objectives including a strong link to impact.

• Lead the evolution of our social media strategy, ensuring increased engagement and impact.

• Develop and implement strategic online communication plans to enhance BASIC’s digital presence, ensuring consistent and engaging messaging across all platforms.

• Oversee BASIC’s branding and identity development, ensuring consistency across programmes and platforms. This includes: organisational brand asset, image, review and refresh.

• Act as BASIC’s press officer, managing media engagement, journalistic contacts, and public relations.

• Plan and execute BASIC’s website redevelopment strategy, including better functionality for fundraising efforts and overseeing all aspects of website content/management.

• Draft, edit, and manage organisational newsletters using MailChimp/MailerLite, ensuring clear, engaging, and audience-focused content that aligns with BASIC’s communications strategy.

• Provide communications training to staff, fostering a culture of shared responsibility for communications.

• Create promotional materials to advance BASIC’s initiatives.

• Strengthen BASIC’s internal and external communications, ensuring alignment with key stakeholders.

Programme Responsibilities

• Develop and execute tailored communications plans for specific programmes, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and effective audience engagement.

• Collaborate with programme teams to create and distribute engaging content that highlights programme achievements and key messages

• Work with programme teams to define the strategy, vision and purpose of newsletters

• Coordinate programme events (virtual and in-person), in terms of communications outreach to increase visibility and structuring of success stories

• Support the creation of digital content (social media posts, website updates, videos, etc.) to promote programme activities and initiatives

• Assist with publishing programme reports including proofing and providing guidance for branding and imagery 

• Provide communications support for programme fundraising activities

• Monitor and analyse communications impact across programmes, using feedback and data to suggest improvements and ensure messaging is reaching the right audiences

• Help to manage relationships with key stakeholders for each programme by ensuring ongoing engagement and support for programme objectives

• Ensure consistent branding and messaging across all programme communications to maintain coherence with the organisation's overall identity

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Marketing, Education, Business, Fundraising)
• 8+ years of working in a communications role
• Knowledge of global security or related issues with linkage to UK policy
• Proven experience in developing and implementing communication strategies aligned with organisational goals and objectives
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling messages
• Ability to generate innovative ideas and content that engage target audiences and enhance brand visibility
• Strong networking and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating communication impact through media coverage, engagement metrics, and analytics. Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies and identify areas for improvement.
• Strong collaborative skills with the ability to work effectively across teams to ensure consistent messaging and brand representation.
• Keen eye for detail with a commitment to accuracy and quality in all communications materials

Desirable:

• Experience in crisis communications, including drafting statements and managing sensitive issues.

Why Join BASIC?

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the communications strategy of a respected international security think tank. If you are a creative, strategic, and proactive communicator who thrives in a collaborative environment, we’d love to hear from you.