Job Title: Project Assistant - Ageing Creatively
Reports to: Ageing Creatively Coordinator
Hours: Part Time (18 hours/ week)
Salary: £11.44 per hour
Job type: Fixed-term contract until May 2026
Closing date: Monday 18 November, 10am
Place of work: Corn Exchange Newbury (office) with a high percentage of time spent out in community settings
Overview
The Corn Exchange has been delivering its Ageing Creatively programme since 2016, becoming a core area of work for the organisation. Having received funding from the National Lottery Communities Fund (NLCF) in May 2021, for the continuation of delivery for 5 years, the programme has since expanded to focus more extensively on establishing creative activity with and for rural communities within West Berkshire and this role is a key part of that plan.
This community-based role is ideal for someone with a person-centered and sensitive approach to working with others. The candidate should be comfortable collaborating with a range of stakeholders, including artists, community leaders, and vulnerable adults. The post focuses on building and maintaining relationships across rural areas of West Berkshire, as well as working with the Ageing Creatively Coordinator to plan and establish a programme of creative activity for and with a variety of rural settings. The successful candidate should be prepared to spend the majority of their time working in a range of community settings to successfully embed this activity.
Key Objectives
* To schedule and deliver the Ageing Creatively Rural Programme, supporting the well-being, creative development and social inclusion of older people, in a number of community settings.
* To support the evaluation of the programme as directed by the Ageing Creatively Co-ordinator.
* To ensure that the programme reflects the ambition and aims of the current Ageing Creatively funding application whilst also responding in a meaningful way to developing needs of these rural communities.
Main duties
Developing the programme
* To consult with local rural communities to build an awareness of the Ageing Creatively programme among residents, and develop activities alongside residents, broadening the reach of the programme.
* To deliver and co-ordinate an exciting arts programme for older people in rural localities, working with partners and community venues.
* Engage the appropriate artists and practitioners for the delivery of the programme activity.
* Develop and support a team of volunteers to embed into the programme.
Administration, consultation and evaluation
* To maintain up to date project plans and project contact lists for all activities.
* To work within specified budgets and keep accurate and up to date records.
* To administrate artist and practitioner invoicing and contracting.
* Collate and develop a database of key contacts supporting the work of older people; including artists, community partners.
* To support the collection and collation of data for reporting.
* Respond to enquiries about the Ageing Creatively programme in your rural locality.
* Contribute material to the regular reporting and recording of the Learning and Participation team.
* Monitor and keep detailed records of the Ageing Creatively programme including the timely payment of artists and practitioners.
Communication
* Keep the Ageing Creatively Co-ordinator up to date on all aspects of the rural activity.
* Promote the programme in a range of community settings using various methods including face to face meetings.
* To develop the team of volunteers and partners to promote the programme in the specified locality.
* Ensure that the artists and practitioners working on the rural project are kept up to date about the project more broadly and the opportunities it presents.
* Collaborate with the wider Marketing team to help advocate for and promote Ageing Creatively to the local community.
General
* Work with Corn Exchange staff to ensure best possible service to all stakeholders.
* Publicly represent the Corn Exchange in a prepared and professional manner.
* Maintain confidentiality at all times.
* Create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for everyone involved in the project.
* Work unsocial hours as required.
* Perform any other duties that may be reasonably requested.
* To be fully conversant with safeguarding and access policies and to work within their principles at all times.
* Due to the remote nature of some locations, having access to a car is essential for this role.
Key Attributes
Key to this role is excellent organisational and interpersonal skills. Applicants should be able to demonstrate a high standard of written and verbal communication skills and should be passionate about issues related to the growth of the older population in the UK, the rights of older people to participate in society and inclusion in the arts in general.
This role may suit a creative person with experience of running and managing their own projects, or ideally, a programme of activities. This is an excellent opportunity for someone working within learning and participation in an arts context to specialise in arts for older people and work connected with the health and well-being agenda.
We are interested in meeting people with a passion for, and understanding of, the value of arts participation for a wide variety of community participants. The ideal candidate will share our passion for participant-led models that enable those who engage with our work to find their voice through participating in the arts.
The successful candidate is likely to:
* Enjoy creating project plans to meet real community need.
* Be passionate about engaging new participants and partner organisations in the arts.
* Be passionate about widening inclusion in the arts.
* Be pro-active and enthusiastic.
* Have the ability to work flexibly around other commitments.
* Be highly organized with excellent attention to detail.
* Enjoy problem solving and developing creative solutions.
* Enjoy having responsibility for a wide range of tasks.
* Enjoy meeting and talking to new people of all backgrounds and interests.
* Demand a high level of performance in themselves.
* Be able to work under your own initiative and take responsibility for your actions.
Essential Skills
* Experience of working in community arts and participation, or community focused environment.
* Experience of project management in a creative environment.
* Experience of delivering high quality projects for adult participants, preferably those over 55.
* An understanding of inclusive and socially engaged practice.
* An understanding of project budgeting.
* Full, clean drivers licence and access to own vehicle.
* Excellent interpersonal skills.
* Friendly and easy communicator (written and verbal).
* The ability to engage face-to-face with a diverse range of potential participants and partners.
* Computer Literacy (Outlook, Word, Ppt, Excel etc).
* Ability to work under your own initiative.
* Some flexibility in working hours (evenings and weekends).
* A desire to learn and build knowledge about the way an arts organisation is run.
Benefits:
* Additional leave.
* Casual dress.
* Company events.
* Company pension.
* Discounted or free food.
* Employee discount.
* Free parking.
* On-site parking.
* Sick pay.
Work Location: On the road
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