Fundraising, communications and networking professional for Blue Spirit

Contract Type: Fixed term

Role Type: Employment

Hours: Part time

Application deadline: Saturday, October 26, 2024 - 09:00

Based: Home-based

Salary: £25 Per Hour

Salary Type: Fixed Salary

Location: Regionwide

Role description: Project Support

Blue Spirit enables young people who are experiencing a mental health challenge or facing social / economic disadvantage to experience the benefits of sailing.

We work in partnership with organisations in the North-East of England which offer sailing experiences to young people and with local community groups and charities who are well-placed to identify and refer the young people who would most benefit from this kind of experience. 
 

Research has shown that just being in blue spaces (like the sea) can have a positive effect on stress reduction and wellbeing and sailing itself also has multiple benefits, such as helping develop essential life skills and increasing self-confidence and resilience. We believe all struggling young people deserve opportunities like this. Our aim is to enhance mental, emotional and physical wellbeing and reduce mental ill health and suicidal ideation in young people, which is why we coordinate and offer subsidised sailing experiences to those who would otherwise be unable to access them.
 

We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed person to join our team on a freelance basis and help sustain and grow our organisation. 

The role is flexible and home-based, for between 8 and 10 hours a week,  ideal for a self-employed individual to work on a freelance contract basis. You will mostly work the hours that suit you, with some need for crossover with key colleagues and in the event of presentations / meetings.

The contract will run for 12 months with the possibility of renewal.
 

We have a slight preference for a North-East England based candidate although those in other areas will be considered.
 

Job Role:
 

The successful candidate will report to and work closely with the chair of trustees and the rest of the board to enhance our fundraising efforts. They will help gather impact stories and statistics, report to donors and communicate about our work, and generate ideas / participate in discussions around organisational development.
 

The ideal candidate will have an interest in young people’s mental health and be passionate about improving outcomes for disadvantaged young people. Ideally, they will have grant-writing experience and some knowledge of the VCSE sector in the UK, and specifically in the North-East, and of potential funders. 
 

They will be willing to get to know us and our community partners and be a skilled communicator across different media. They will find interesting and innovative ways of presenting our work and our organisation to funders, donors, young people and community groups. 
 

The successful person will need to provide their own working space and computer and have a reliable internet connection.

If you think your experience and interest aligns with what we are looking for, please join us and help make a difference in the lives of young people. 

You can apply by sending a CV, cover letter and references / recommendations to solen@bluespirit.uk. We welcome diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. We also welcome an informal discussion about the role. Contact solen@bluespirit.uk for a chat.

Closing date:  Friday, October 26, 2024 - 09:00

Interview dates: Week beginning November 5 (TBC) 

Job description
 

Fundraising

• Help identify funding needs and opportunities
• Write and submit grant applications, fulfil reporting obligations
• Support in event organisation, crowdfunders and other fundraising initiatives

Communications

• Collate and compile data about and feedback from young sailors and community groups
• Create and manage a photo database
• Produce an annual report
• Ensure website content is up to date and relevant
• Produce a bi-annual online newsletter 
• Manage our social media accounts

Networking

• Make contact with & maintain relationships with voluntary organisations that work with young people 
• Visit groups to present Blue Spirit and post-sail to gather feedback 
• Liaise with sail training organisations re sailing opportunities 
• Ensure that all paperwork is in place pre-voyage 
• Network with similar organisations and those that work on relevant issues 
   

Person specification: 

Essential

• A proven interest in improving outcomes for disadvantaged young people / young people’s mental health
• A track record of successful grant-writing or similar experience
• Ability to build strong professional relationships with various individuals, communities and organisations
• Ability to work independently, prioritise tasks, and manage time effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written skills and an attention to detail
• A high level of computer literacy, and the ability to learn, troubleshoot and understand unfamiliar IT systems.

Desirable

• Educated to degree level or equivalent level of knowledge / experience
• Knowledge and experience of the voluntary sector
• Website editing skills
• Social media use
• Experience using tools like Canva, Mailchimp
• Willingness to travel locally for meetings and other events