Our News

 

Join Somali author Mohamed Mire Salad for the launch of his exciting new book Soomaalida iyo Soomaalinimada. Mohamed Mire Salad’s book is an exciting exploration into Somali society, the hidden and visible forces that impact Somali ways of life, and Somali national and cultural identities. 

Having received overwhelmingly positive support from communities in Somalia, he has toured his book globally in Nairobi, Ankara, and Istanbul, with upcoming book tour destinations in Bristol and Rome.

You don’t want to miss out on this special event for Bristol’s strong and vibrant Somali community!

Our Sector Development Events

Join us for a networking event organised by the Sector Development Team and meet other local community organisations!

Who is this event for?

This event is for anybody who is leading either a charity, a CIO or a CIC across the South West.

What will be covered?

  • Welcome from the team

  • Organisations to introduce themselves (elevator pitch)

  • Meet and mingle

Interested in attending?

 

Local jobs, events, and opportunties

 

A stay and play with a twist!

Concerned about rent and housing costs? Ever been affected by the housing crisis? Don’t know what your rights are as a renter? Got ideas? Find it hard to get your voice heard with the kids around?

We know that it can be hard – almost impossible - for carers, guardians and parents of young children to find the time and opportunity to get our voices heard and ask for the changes in our community that impact us the most.

We’re the Bristol Fair Renting Campaign – a local, renter-led group that are taking action to fight for a fair renting system together as a community. We have set up a Campaign, Stay & Playto create a space for parents, carers and guardians to be part of community action.

Sessions are 10.30am-12.00pm on Wednesdays at The Spark Space on Church Road in Redfield. Come along to:

  • Learn about your renting rights

  • Share your ideas and thoughts on renting in Bristol

  • Find out about the Bristol Fair Renting campaign and how you can get involved

  • Have a cup of tea or coffee and let the children play

If anyone is interested in helping to run the sessions, or can’t make it but would like some support in setting up something similar at a time that suits you, please text Daisy on 07443 559 912, or email bristolfairrentingcampaign@gmail.com.

Business Development Officer

Come and work with AVON NEEDS TREES!

We are looking for a positive people-person who can thrive working alone on focussed projects, and be a flexible part of a passionate team.

On a day to day basis, your support for the Business Development team could involve researching exciting new potential revenue opportunities; identifying and connecting with potential partners; contributing to marketing; finding, outreaching to and developing potential leads; or facilitating transactions.

Your legacy will have a tangible impact on slowing down climate change and helping nature recover by overseeing and leading on Avon Needs Trees’ (ANT) on-the-ground habitat restoration work, helping to meet our goals to plant hundreds of thousands of trees and enhance complementary habitats.

Application closing date: 15/01/2025

Salary: £26,000-£28,000pa, pro-rata as relevant

Contractual hours: 0.8FTE to full time, depending on your preference

Duration: One-year fixed-term contract, with the expectation of a longer contract

 

Community Resources Programme Manager

Are you skilled in programme management, facilitation and negotiation and stakeholder engagement? Do you feel passionate about providing opportunities for local communities to engage in democracy?  We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Community Resources Programme Manager to work alongside Councillors and partner organisations to effectively manage Area Committees- a mechanism for local level devolved decision making in Bristol.  

Application closing date: 02/01/2025

Salary: £45,718 - £48,710

Contractual hours: 37

Basis: Full time

Drop-in Coordinator

Bristol Refugee Rights is seeking a Drop-In Coordinator to start as soon as possible.  This post will work with our service delivery teams to ensure that our Drop-In services are delivered in a welcoming, safe and effective way.

Our Drop-In spaces are at the heart of what BRR does and are the access route for members wanting to engage with support from BRR. Currently we run two drop-ins: an Advice drop-in on Wednesdays and a Welcome drop-in on Thursdays. On Wednesday members can access Advice Services. On Thursday we are a social space; we play games, do art and sewing, offer free haircuts, help people access other services and get the support they need and offer a delicious community lunch

Application closing date: 13/01/2025

Salary: £20,082 pro-rata (full-time salary scale of £33,024 – £33,945 (NJC scale SO1)

Contractual hours: 22.5 per week (including Wednesday and Thursday)

 

Company Manager

Diverse Artist Network seek a Company Manager to ensure operational excellence, support  artist programs, and drive our vision. Responsibilities include team leadership, overseeing budgets and projects, and fostering a positive HR culture. Essential: arts management experience, strong leadership, and financial skills. Desirable: funding knowledge and lived experience of marginalisation. 

Application closing date: 17/01/2025

Salary: £150 per day

Contractual hours: 2.5 days a week (20 hours)

 

Chair & Board members

Diverse Artist Network Board seeks a new Chair and up to  three members for governance roles, ensuring compliance, strategy, and equity. The unpaid three-year role offers training and involvement in a growing network. Skills in HR, legal, diversity, and fundraising are valued. Applicants must support inclusion, accountability, and community impact, reflecting the diversity of served communities. 

Application closing date: 17/01/2025

Interviews: To be completed by WC Feb 3rd 2025 

Handover for new Chair: Tuesday, March 25th, 2025

 

Female* Link Team Engagement Worker (Substance Misuse) Secondment with Second Step, Bristol

Do you enjoy the challenge of working with clients experiencing multiple disadvantages? Are you interested in joining a multi-agency team to support some of Bristol’s most vulnerable women?

We are seeking a motivated individual who is passionate about using a trauma informed approach to provide person-centred care & advocacy for women experiencing multiple disadvantage.

This particular post will primarily work with female service users.

Application closing date: 7/01/2025 @ 12pm

Salary: £26,893.15 per annum pro rata

Contractual hours: 37.5 hours per week fixed term until March 2026

 

NHS England is looking for Lay Representatives!

What is a Lay Representative?

A Lay Representative is a non-clinical professional who works with NHS England South West (NHSE SW) to ensure correct policies are applied fairly and equitably across the many aspects of Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (PGMDE).

  • Lay Representatives bring a valuable non-medical perspective to various aspects of PGMDE work

  • The purpose of the Lay Representative is to bring knowledge and experience that, combined with a non-medical perspective, provides objectivity

  • The Lay Representative brings an independent external view and a broader basis for our inquiries and judgement's

  • Lay Representatives are part of Medical Directorate panels/committees at various local and national events relating to the management of Postgraduate Medical Education 

  • The Lay Representative is non-medical and impartial, with a fundamental role of ensuring transparency and adherence to due process

  • Lay Representatives are asked to complete a short online feedback form after each event they attend 

  • If the Lay Representative observed non-adherence to due process they would be contacted by the local Quality Improvement Manager (QIM) for further information

  • The Lay Representative can also raise an issue with the event chair during or at the end of an event

What activities do Lay Representatives get involved with?

Within NHSE SW our Lay Representatives are involved in many activities, these include:

Recruitment: NHSE SW is involved in many Postgraduate Medical and Dental recruitment processes. These processes follow strict policies and procedures to ensure fairness and equality and our Lay Representatives act as the candidates’ ombudsmen’s during this process.

Assessments: All Postgraduate Medical and Dental trainees are required to undertake annual competence based assessments to ensure they are meeting the requirements of their curriculum at the correct stages of their training. Lay Representatives will sit in on a minimum of 10% of these reviews to ensure the process being followed by the assessment panels is fair and equitable.

Education Quality Assurance: As an education commissioner one of NHSE SW’s key roles is to quality assure the education provision being provided by our various providers. NHSE SW undertakes annual quality panels, where by each one of our training posts are reviewed by a panel containing Trainers’, Trainees’, and Lay Representatives’. Training posts which are a cause for concern are refereed to our Quality Team who will take appropriate action.

 Various ad-hoc duties: Our Lay Representatives are also used for various tasks which vary from School to School. Some attend events such as Board Meetings and Specialty training Committees etc.

Lay Representatives are paid a fixed rate of £75 for half a day’s engagement and £150 for a full day’s engagement. Most travel expenses only, are also reimbursed according to the requests to attend an assessment.

If you have any queries relating to Lay Representation then please contact us via: england.psedinfo.sw@nhs.net

 

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR FREE LEGAL ADVICE?

If you do not qualify for legal aid, a solicitor may be able to take on your case as part of their pro bono work.

Pro bono work is free legal help for people who cannot afford to pay for legal services and do not qualify for legal aid. Solicitors work pro bono to help make sure everyone has access to justice when they need it. Pro bono work is voluntary and there’s no obligation to do it, although many solicitors choose to.

FINDING A PRO BONO LAWYER

LawWorks

LawWorks is a charity which connects lawyers with people who cannot get legal aid. It can provide free advice on issues such as:

  • debt

  • welfare rights

  • housing matters

  • employment law

  • consumer disputes

You’ll need to make an appointment to see a lawyer at one of LawWorks’ legal advice clinics. legal advice clinic near you

You might have to pay legal costs if you lose your case and the other party has been given professional legal help. you should discuss what costs you might have to pay with your lawyer before they start work on your case.

OTHER SOURCES OF FREE LEGAL HELP

Support Through Court

Support Through Court is a charity which can help you if you have to go to court without a lawyer. It can:

  • explain how the court works

  • help you with forms and any documents you might need in court

  • help you plan what you want to say in court

  • provide someone to go to court with you for support

  • discuss settling issues without going to court

  • provide details of other specialist advice agencies

AdviceNow

AdviceNow is an online advice resource run by the charity Law for Life: the Foundation for Public Legal Education.

It has practical information about your rights and the law in England and Wales on subjects such as:

  • going to court

  • employment

  • consumer affairs

  • health and social care

  • crime and police

  • housing and homelessness