Have a look at our vacancies...
All Challengers staff need a complete commitment to increasing choices and opportunity for disabled children and young people. All successful applicants will be required to complete an Enhanced CRB Disclosure. For more information or to apply for any of these positions, email work@disability-challengers.org or call 01483 230 938
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING INTERN | GUILDFORD | £216.65 per week | 35 hrs/week | 6 month contract with potential to extend to 9 months
The successful candidate will be assisting the Community Fundraising Manager in creating and sustaining key relationships with supporters and local organisations. You will help to generate income for the community phase of our exciting capital campaign; to redevelop our Playcentre and headquarters in Guildford. The intern role will also assist in generating essential revenue income for our play and leisure services for disabled children and young people across Surrey and Hampshire, working with a variety of individuals and organisations, through a diverse range of communications, appeals, events and presentations. This role would suit either a graduate, someone with some fundraising or events experience or an individual who is looking to move in to the Third Sector. Excellent written and communication skills are required for this role, alongside a confident and personable manner, and a keen desire to learn about fundraising and the charity sector.The successful applicant must have a full driving licence and use of a car as there will be some travelling involved with this position. For more information, or to apply, email lucysharma@disabiltiy-challengers.org or call 01483 230060. The closing date for applications is the 17th May.
EVENTS FUNDRAISING INTERN | GUILDFORD | £216.65 per week | 35 hrs/week | 6 month contract with potential to extend to 9 months
The successful applicant will be part of a dynamic forward thinking team, reporting to the Events Manager and working closely with the Communications team. Responsibilities include organisation in the lead up to events – sourcing potential venues, participants etc, on the day set up and dealing with ad hoc issues, supporting donors with individual fundraising and keeping up to date records on the Challengers database. This role would suit either a graduate, someone with some fundraising or events experience or an individual who is looking to move in to the Third Sector. This is a varied role and needs someone who is highly organised, forward thinking and has a confident manner. The successful applicant must have a full driving licence and use of a car as there will be some travelling involved with this position. For more information, or to apply, email sophiecolwell@disability-challengers.org or call 01483 230060. The closing date for applications is 17th May.
TRUST FUNDRAISING OFFICER | GUILDFORD | £18,000 - £21,000 per annum dependant on experience | 35 hrs/week
The Challengers Fundraising team are looking for a dynamic and committed individual interested in a career in the Charity Sector. The Trust Fundraising Officer will manage and develop relationships with a wide range of new and existing Charitable Trusts, Foundations and Local Councilors. This role is responsible for generating income from these sources each year in support of play and leisure opportunities for disabled and non disabled children, young people and young adults. The applicant will ideally be a graduate and will need to demonstrate excellent written skills, have a methodical and detailed approach to their work and be able to manage their own workload. For more information or to apply, email jessicaoliver@disability-challengers.org or call 01483 230060. The closing date for applications is the 17th May.
YOUTH LEADERS | PETERSFIELD YOUTH | £9.93-£11.33/hour | Saturdays and Holidays
We are looking for two fun, organised and inspiring candidates to work together as a Leader / Deputy combination to deliver a high quality play and leisure service for disabled young people aged 13 – 18 at our brand new Petersfield Youthscheme, Hampshire. You will need to feel at ease managing a dynamic team throughout a busy day and must able to work during the school holidays (summer holidays and Easters on-going). You should have experience of working with disabled people and be committed and confident to supporting their families and professionals alike. The role will include regular administration time so you should be highly motivated towards develop this NEW project fully. A qualification in play or youth work is desired and you will also need to be able to drive a minibus. To apply, please complete the application pack marked 'Challengers Application Pack - Leader' from our download page and email to work@disability-challengers.org. If you would like to speak to a member of the team for more information, contact Dan Acheson on 01483 230 930 or danacheson@disability-challengers.org.
YOUTH WORKERS | PETERSFIELD YOUTH | £6.51/hour | Summer and Easter Holidays
We are looking to recruit a team of amazing people to help start and develop a NEW Challengers youth club in Petersfield, Hampshire. These positions are to be part of a team supporting disabled teenagers throughout the school holidays. Our clubs provide play, leisure and sporting activities for those with a wide range of impairments. As Challengers staff you will benefit from a great training programme whilst enjoying a challenging, fun job and at the same time be making a real difference to the lives of local young people. You will gain plenty of valuable experience, which would be ideal for those considering a career in medicine, psychology, teaching, nursing or sport. To apply, please complete the application pack marked ‘Challengers Application Pack – Worker’ from our download page and email to work@disability-challengers.org. If you would like to speak to a member of the team for more information, contact Dan Acheson on 01483 230 930 or danacheson@disability-challengers.org.
PART-TIME DEPUTY YOUTH LEADER | EPSOM YOUTH | £9.93/hour | Every other Saturday and flexible hours throughout school holidays
We are looking for a confident, energetic individual to work alongside the existing leadership team at our Epsom Youthscheme in order to deliver the highest quality play and leisure provision possible for disabled young people aged 13 – 18. Your role will be to support the leader with the managing staff & organising activities on Saturdays as well as daily during summer, half term and Easter holidays. The deputy position requires plenty of patience, understanding and an ability to work independently at times and you should be prepared to help with completing some administration to support the planning and smooth running of the project. Applicants will have a qualification / lengthy experience youth work, have experience managing a staff team and a full driving license is preferable. Ideally you will have experience working with disabled people, be fully committed and have the confidence to work with families and professionals. To apply, please complete the application pack marked 'Challengers Application Pack – Deputy Leader' from our download page and email to work@disability-challengers.org. If you would like to speak to a member of the team for more information, contact Dan Acheson on 01483 230 930 or danacheson@disability-challengers.org.
APPRENTICE SALE LEDGER/CREDIT CONTROL CLERK | GUILDFORD | £135/week | 35hrs/week (including day release to college)
Challengers Finance department has an exciting vacancy for a dynamic apprentice with a head for figures. In this new role you will have the unique opportunity to learn all aspects of Sales Ledger and Credit Control in a fun, supportive environment whilst studying a Level II Accounting intermediate apprenticeship. For further information and an application form please contact amandacraddock@disablilty-challengers.org.
PROJECT OFFICERS | GUILDFORD OR FARNHAM | £16,742/year | 28 hrs/week including Saturdays
Challengers Play & Leisure team are looking for two fabulous people to join us. The Project Officers will manage and support the delivery of Challengers Play and Youthschemes. As well as this, these two new posts will lead Play & Youthschemes at the weekend at the weekends and in the holidays. The applicants will need experience with working with disabled children or young people and will ideally be graduates and/or have a recognised qualification in play & youth work or in education. Most important of all, the successful applicants must have a complete commitment to developing quality Play and Leisure activities for disabled children and young people. For more information or to apply, email jonathandobson@disability-challengers.org or call 01483 230 930. The closing date for applications is the 26th April.
DEPUTY PLAY LEADER | GUILDFORD PLAYCENTRE | £18,345.11 | 35 hrs/week including Saturdays
Challengers Guildford Playcentre is the ‘heart’ of the charity and needs a new Deputy Playleader to work alongside the Leader to run the playscheme for disabled children age 4-12. The playscheme not only provides essential play experiences for disabled children but also a place for all children to meet and play together. We need a fabulous person to support the Playleader to manage the full time programme of playschemes – After School Club, Parent and Toddler Sessions, Saturday and Sunday Playscheme and of course our massive holiday playschemes. As well as all that the successful applicant will help support the staff team, plan and co-ordinate activities, ensure scheme administration is completed and comply with Ofsted standards, liaise with families and report to the Playleader. The role successful candidate will need a play work and/or childcare qualification recognised by Ofsted, a complete commitment to the positive effects of play work and demonstrate their complete focus on the best experience for children at Challengers. To apply download and complete the Leader application pack (Word document or PDF) at the bottom the Vacancies page and email to work@disability-challengers.org. If you would like to speak to a member of the team, call 01483 230 930 or PlayandLeisureTeam@disability-challengers.org.
DEPUTY PLAY LEADER | FARNHAM PLAYCENTRE | £9.93/hour | Saturdays and Holidays
Challengers Farnham is a playscheme for disabled children age 4-12. The playscheme not only provides essential play experiences for disabled children but also a place for all children to meet and play together. We need a unique person to support the Playleader to manage the scheme on Saturdays and Holidays, support the staff team, plan and co-ordinate activities, ensure scheme administration is completed and comply with Ofsted standards, liaise with families and report to the Playleader. The role successful candidate will need to work in school holidays and Saturdays 9am – 5pm and will have a play work and/or childcare qualification recognised by Ofsted, a complete commitment to the positive effects of play work and demonstrate their complete focus on the best experience for children at Challengers. To apply download and complete the Leader application pack (Word document or PDF) at the bottom the Vacancies page and email to work@disability-challengers.org. If you would like to speak to a member of the team, call 01483 230 930 or PlayandLeisureTeam@disability-challengers.org.
YOUTH LEADERS | Reading | £9.93-£11.33/hour | Saturdays and Holidays
We are looking for a dynamic Leader & Deputy to deliver the highest quality of play and leisure provision at our brand new Reading Youth Scheme for disabled young people aged 13 – 18 years. The successful candidate will need to be able to work Saturdays and school holidays, and be keen to get stuck in to this new project. You will have experience working with disabled people and be committed and confident to work with families and professionals. You will also, ideally, be able to drive a minibus. A qualification in play or youth work is desired and the role will include regular administration time. We are especially interested in people who are engaged in relevant educational courses. To apply, please complete the application pack marked 'Challengers Application Pack - Leader' from our download page and email to work@disability-challengers.org. If you would like to speak to a member of the team for more information, contact Kat Mack on 01483 230 930 or katmack@disability-challengers.org.
YOUTH WORKERS | Reading | £6.51/hour | Saturdays and Holidays
We need more fantastic people to grow our activity weekend youth team and to work during the holidays with disabled children & young people. Our schemes provide play, leisure and sporting activities for those with a wide range of impairments, and you will benefit from a great training programme whilst enjoying a challenging, fun job and making a real difference to the lives of local children & young people. At Challengers you can gain plenty of valuable experience, which would be ideal for those considering a career in medicine, psychology, teaching, nursing or sport. To apply, please complete the application pack marked ‘Challengers Application Pack – Worker’ from our download page and email it to work@disability-challengers.org. If you would like to speak to a member of the team for more information, contact Kat Mack on 01483 230 930 or katmack@disability-challengers.org.
Guide to our Schemes
We have working opportunities at lots of schemes across Surrey running all through the year. You can go to the Contact Us page and use the map to see all the Challengers projects or browse through the pages under Our Services.
Paid and voluntary work
You can work at Challengers and be paid (age 16 and over) or you can volunteer your time (from 15 years old), at play and youth schemes. We really appreciate the commitment made by all staff, especially the incredible contribution volunteers make to Challengers. If you choose to become part of our team as a volunteer we hope the experience will be as rewarding for you as it will be for us.
Key Policies and Procedures
All staff must be familiar with and read the key Challengers policies and procedures which include: The Challengers Approach, Incident Procedure; Child Protection Policy; Equal Opportunities Policy; Ex-Offenders Policy (Recruitment); Health and Safety Policy; Inclusion Policy; Restraint Policy and Procedure; Bullying at Work; Harassment Policy; Disciplinary and Dismissal Procedure; Staff Grievance Procedure; and Internet and Email. These are all available at Challengers schemes and we can email them to you as well. If you have any questions about our policies please contact the Play and Leisure Team 01483 230 930 or email playandleisureteam@disability-challengers.org.
How to Apply
You can download Application Packs here – there are different application packs for each of the following roles; play/youth worker (including volunteers), deputy leader and leader. For each application form there are two options (Word or a PDF) select Word to complete on line and email to us or print off the PDF and complete by hand to post to us. Before you apply read all of the application pack including; The Challengers Approach (the ethos of our organisation); the Guidance Notes; and Job Description.