GROW Trainee - Research

SHELTER HOUSING AID AND RESEARCH PROJECT (LEICESTER); Greater London; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Pension

Travel loans

Tenancy deposit loan

Cycle to work

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Shelter is offering a 12‑month fixed-term GROW Traineeship at their London (Old Street) location. The role focuses on housing research to support fundraising, media and campaigning, and is designed for individuals with lived experience of homelessness or related disadvantages.

You will join a seven‑member research team, receive personalised training, and contribute to systems change work while developing personal and professional skills within Shelter’s Equity, Inclusion and Culture directorate.

Qualifications

• Basic IT skills such as using email and internet
• Able to stay organised and manage time effectively
• Proactive, curious, eager to learn about housing issues
• Lived experience of homelessness or related disadvantages is essential

Responsibilities

• Find data and evidence to support Shelter fundraising, media, services, campaigning and brand work
• Research benefits of social homes and scale of housing emergency including homelessness
• Collaborate with Public Affairs, Digital Campaigns, Community Organising and Policy teams
• Contribute to Shelter at a national level and to community hub priorities

Skills

Team player

Basic IT skills

Time management

Proactive

Curious

Tools

Email

Internet search

Job description

Salary £27,212.50 per annum + £5,023 London weighting + £1,500 budget for personal and professional development

Job Reference shelter/TP/1309/202

Number Of Positions 1

Contract Type Fixed Term

Contract Details 12-month fixed term contract

Salary £27,212.50 per annum + £5,023 London weighting + £1,500 budget for personal and professional development

Working Hours 35 (can be part-time, minimum 3 days a week - 21 hours)

Location London - Old Street

Closing Date 21/10/2026

Job Category Equity and Inclusion

Region / Division Shelter

Directorate Equity, Inclusion and Culture

Job Introduction

Come and Join us The GROW Traineeship gives people with lived experience of homelessness and/or other related disadvantages (including but not limited to; contact with the criminal justice system, mental ill-health or substance use) access to paid employment, training and personal development opportunities. The traineeship lasts for up to 12 months, and each GROW receives personalised training and support to help remove some of the barriers that may have prevented them from getting meaningful employment.

We are looking for people who are passionate about using their own experiences to help make change for people in the UK experiencing bad housing and homelessness.

About Shelter

A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change, with individuals, in communities, across society, and leading the way to a safe home. We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

At Shelter we are united by our purpose to defend the right to a safe home. Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. We believe that to win that fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement for change. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, fair, equitable and transparent. We have committed to combat racism both within and outside Shelter and welcome you on our journey to becoming a truly anti‑racist organisation.

About The Role

Working in a team of seven, you will be part of the research function at Shelter, finding data and evidence to support Shelter’s fundraising, media, services, campaigning and brand work.

As well as researching the benefits of social homes, we also do research on the scale of the housing emergency, including homelessness, and who is most affected.

The Research team is part of Shelter’s Activism & Advocacy division. This means you may work with our Public Affairs, Digital Campaigns, Community Organising and Policy teams too.

The GROW trainee programme includes opportunities to get involved in Shelter at a national level, using your experiences to influence our work as a whole. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to community hub priorities and be involved in systems change work in the area.

About You

You’ll be a team player who is flexible, open to learning, and willing to ask for support when needed. You’ll have basic IT skills, such as using email and searching the internet, and be able to stay organised and manage your time well. You’ll also be proactive, curious, and interested in learning more about housing and the issues people face. Importantly, you’ll have lived experience of homelessness or other disadvantages – such as substance use, or involvement with the criminal justice system – and you’ll want to use your experience to make a positive difference. You may also be facing challenges to employment, such as limited qualifications, a lack of experience, or long‑term unemployment. A strong belief in equality and a commitment to tackling discrimination are essential

This role is ring‑fenced for those with lived experience of multiple disadvantage.

Benefits

• We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans.
• Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies. Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Attached Documents

• Research GROW JD - 2026.docx
• WORD GROW Trainee Application Form editable boxes Final.docx