Jobs in Swindon, United Kingdom

Community Development Officer - Scotland

Location: Home-based, with some travel

Salary: £24,800 per annum (£31,000 pro rata) plus £250 Home Worker Allowance per annum (£312 pro rata)

Vacancy Type: Permanent

Hours: 28 hours per week. The role requires significant flexibility to work evenings and weekends.

Closing Date: 8th October 2025

The organisation exists to save babies' lives and ensure that anyone affected by pregnancy loss or baby death receives the support and care they need.

They work to ensure that everyone affected by pregnancy and baby loss receives the care and support they need. They provide training so that everyone who comes into contact with bereaved parents and families has the knowledge, skills and confidence to offer sensitive, safe care and support. Their accredited training is available across the UK.

They provide bereavement support services both nationally through their Freephone helpline, online community and resources, as well as locally through a network of around 100 regional support groups based across the UK and run by trained befrienders.

Local peer-led bereavement support is a core part of what they do at the organisation. This is primarily delivered by Support Groups and United football teams run by dedicated volunteers right across the UK, most of whom are bereaved themselves. There are 84 Groups and 40 United teams across the UK who provide safe and welcoming spaces to be there for each other.

This is a high-profile and exciting new role which is responsible for ensuring that anyone affected by baby loss or the death of a baby has the chance to access peer-led activities in Scotland, promoting sport and activities for health, wellbeing and support services and groups, ensuring that all sections of the community are aware of available activities and where they can go to be part of the community.

• Be an opportunity-spotter and connector: Proactively work with the wider Community and Volunteering Team to identify opportunities for new recruitment of volunteers, expansion of community and the creation of new volunteer roles to support activity in your region.
• Use your experience of working with marginalised and under-represented communities to reach those not currently supported by the organisation and develop community activities and support accordingly.

Deliver on peer support and activity development: In partnership with the wider Community and Volunteering Team, and the Programme Leads, embed evolving structures for peer-to-peer support activity to support volunteers.

In partnership with the BSS team, develop strong referral routes and signposting to ensure volunteers and supporters have access to their accredited and trauma-informed services

• Support good practice in community and volunteer development: Enable volunteers to deliver activities through good volunteer management practice, pro-actively navigating challenges, and providing support and guidance.
• Provide initial guidance and point of contact for Support Group and United funding opportunities and storytelling, liaising when needed with the Philanthropy and Partnerships Team, Communications and Engagement Team and Senior Volunteering Manager.

Community in Scotland: With the Director of Bereavement Support and Community and Volunteering, work collaboratively and inclusively with pregnancy and baby loss charities in Scotland ensuring inclusive ways of working

Take a whole organisation view on opportunities, within the context of the strong Scottish identity and organisation in Scotland

• They are looking for successful, demonstrable experience of working with minoritised communities and a good working understanding of the barriers people experience accessing bereavement support and care in statutory, health and community settings.
• With experience of coordinating volunteering programmes on a regional or national basis, you will be passionate and knowledgeable about the potential for volunteering within the charity sector.
• You will have excellent communication skills suitable for a range of different audiences and environments, with significant experience of volunteer management and relationship building.
• Additionally, you will have experience of working with marginalised communities together with an understanding of the barriers to accessing bereavement support that these communities encounter.

To Apply: If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for this reputable organisation, please proceed through the following link to be redirected to their website to complete your application: https://www.sands.org.uk/about-sands/who-we-are/jobs/community-development-officer-scotland