Reporting to the Team Leader

Grapevinecovandwarks; Coventry; On-site; GBP 32,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading community charity in Coventry is seeking a part-time community organiser to support young activists in defending SEND rights. The role involves campaign strategy development, facilitating actions, and coaching young leaders. Candidates should have a minimum of one year’s experience in community organising or campaigning and strong facilitation skills. The position offers flexible working, 25 days annual leave, and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

8 percent non-contributory pension

Employee Assistance Programme

Supportive team culture

Qualifications

• At least one year’s experience in community organising or campaigning with clear evidence of wins.
• Ability to work collaboratively with people with learning disabilities.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support CYA members to challenge government reforms affecting SEND rights.
• Develop campaign strategies with young activists.
• Facilitate media engagement and negotiations.

Skills

Community organising experience

Collaborative working

Facilitation skills

Creative problem-solving

Communication skills

Job description

We are on the hunt for a new community organiser with proven campaigning experience and strong facilitation skills! And just as importantly—someone with creativity, a passion for justice and the ability to work inclusively with young people with learning disabilities. Could that be you?

Coventry Youth Activists (CYA) is the UK’s only youth-led campaign group run by and for disabled young people.

70 per cent of CYA’s members have learning disabilities and they need a community organiser to help them take on one of their biggest fights yet: defending SEND rights.

Imagine working alongside young people who’ve challenged Meta’s hate speech policies, won national awards and brought a sofa on wheels to a protest.

Leadership doesn’t have to look a certain way… that’s what we do at CYA.

https://www.grapevinecovandwarks.org/wp-content/uploads/900-CYA-Community-Organiser-campaigns-job-ad.png

This isn’t traditional charity work. CYA doesn’t lobby for disabled young people—they campaign as them. From Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties outside Facebook HQ to high-level negotiations with decision-makers: their approach is bold, creative and effective.

CYA prepare to protest outside Facebook offices in London, October 2021. Credit: Melissa Smith.

Job details

• Part‑time 18.5 hours per week
• £31,303 pro rata
• Fixed term contract until 2028
• Based at our offices in Spon End, Coventry
• Reporting to the Team Leader
• Closing date: Monday 23 February at 9am
• Expected start date: Monday 30 March 2026.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll support CYA members to challenge urgent threats to their rights—particularly government reforms affecting SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) rights.

This means:

• Developing campaign strategies and power mapping decision-makers with young activists
• Facilitating actions, media engagement and high-level negotiations
• Coaching young leaders and building their confidence to take the lead
• Creating alliances and expanding CYA’s reach and influence
• Ensuring everything is accessible, inclusive and driven by lived experience.

You won’t be doing this alone. You’ll be part of Grapevine, an award‑winning charity with years of community organising expertise, working within a supportive team that believes in joyful organising.

Essential skills and experience

• At least one year’s community organising or campaigning experience with clear evidence of wins
• Ability to work collaboratively and inclusively, especially with people who have learning disabilities
• Strong facilitation and communication skills
• Experience building alliances and developing others
• Creative problem‑solving and a genuine passion for justice.

Follow this link to read the job pack in full.

May 2019 – Coventry Youth Activists prepare to take centre stage in Broadgate, Coventry on their sofa on wheels. Credit: John Whitmore.

Benefits include

• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• 8 per cent non-contributory pension
• Employee Assistance Programme
• A culture of learning, reflection and genuine support.

Grapevine is a place where you’ll have freedom with support, real opportunities to grow and work that creates lasting impact. Our team describe it as a “powerhouse” that feels like a second home.

Visit our Careers page for more.

About Grapevine

We’re an award-winning charity helping communities across Coventry and Warwickshire take collective action.

We’re nationally recognised for our community organising approach and we’re accredited trainers for the National Community Organisers programme.

We believe those who face challenges are best positioned to lead solutions—and we provide the support to make that happen.

“Grapevine is a fantastic organisation—bold, innovative and caring. It manages to balance positive outcomes for individuals and communities with system change—a very rare thing.” (Tim, community leader)

Equality and inclusion

Fairness and inclusion are part of who we are—going back to our origins as a disability charity. We actively seek people from all backgrounds and aim to remove barriers to equal opportunity. We welcome applications from everyone.

How to apply

Click this link to read the job pack, including detailed information about the role and the specific skills, abilities, experience and knowledge we are looking for in the person we hire.

Click here to complete the Jotform application form.

You can send audio or video files for some or all of your application to [e-mail] .

If you need help with your application, if you want to discuss reasonable adjustments or want to speak with someone before submitting your application, please contact us on [e-mail] or call 024 7663 1040.

We look forward to hearing from you! Visit our Careers page to learn more about working for us.