Growing Confidence
Project Co-ordinator
Background information
About Shropshire Wildlife Trust
Shropshire Wildlife Trust is a charity dedicated to the conservation of Shropshire's wildlife and wild places. The Trust plays an important role in providing information and education for all ages on how to observe, enjoy and protect wildlife.
The Trust owns/manages 40 nature reserves throughout Shropshire. In addition, The Trust manages two visitor centres, one of which is also our headquarters.
The Trust has a strong background in delivering environmental education to children and young people both in schools and informally in the community.
There is a full and part-time staff of around 45 people and the Trust relies on around 500 active volunteers who are involved in every aspect of running the organisation. There is a growing membership (currently around 11,500) that supports the Trust's work through their membership fees and donations.
About our Headquarters
Opposite Shrewsbury Abbey the Trust has its administrative headquarters and visitor centre. It is adjacent to a large pay & display car park, 15 minutes walk from the train station and on bus and cycle routes. Around 25 staff are based here (though many spend time out on site). Staff cover a wide range of activities, such as conservation, education, fund raising, finance, administration, membership and special projects.
Around 6 staff are based at our reserves base which is a short walk away at Old Coleham yard and two staff are based at our visitor centre in Ellesmere.
About the project
Growing Confidence is a 5 year programme of activities to engage young people aged 11-25 with their local environment. It will allow youngsters with environmental interest to progress to a level appropriate to their aspirations. It is one of a portfolio of projects supported under Big Lottery Fund’s Bright Green Futures programme run by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.
The aim of this programme is that young people of all abilities throughout Shropshire will be given the opportunity to sample environmental activities and progress to a level that suits their own needs and ambition. By doing this they will be given the confidence to create change in their local environment.
There are four complimentary delivery partners:
Fordhall Community Land Initiative will work with young people on the brink of exclusion from school;
Shropshire Wildlife Trust (lead partner) will offer John Muir Awards and will help to integrate environmental education into local schools; Field Studies Council will develop training courses for young people with a growing and serious interest in the environment and The Plunkett Foundation will provide training and mentoring to develop social enterprise.
All activity will take place close to home, utilising the sites owned by partners and neighbourhood green spaces. Young people will help to design the detail of much of the activity and help steer the whole programme.
Social enterprise is a theme running throughout. Partners and young participants will be introduced to the idea of business that builds a stronger community. Young people wishing to start their own social businesses will be supported.
About the job
This post is the glue that holds the project partnership together. You will ensure the project outcomes are met, on time and to budget. You will also be responsible for facilitating the steering group and developing the partnership by ensuring members are conversant with all activities undertaken.
Connecting children with nature is essential to The Trust’s vision of creating a living landscape and living seas; we need to fire up the next generation to support conservation. This exciting project will develop the Trust’s capacity in this area as well as the capacity of partner organisations.
About the team
The post sits within the People and Wildlife Team which is responsible for the Trust’s people engagement activities. You will form part of a small ‘Growing Confidence’ team, joining two project officers, one based at Fordhall Farm and one at the Trust, supported by existing staff in partner organisations.
You will need to develop strong relationships with all partners as well as other organisations to ensure the project outcomes are achieved.
You will also be expected to fully integrate across all areas of the Trust’s work so future activity in this area can be sustained.
For an informal discussion please call Helen Trotman on 01743 284297.
To apply for this post complete the application form and return with a covering letter to (email preferred):
Heather Bennett
Shropshire Wildlife Trust
193 Abbey Foregate
Shrewsbury
SY2 6AH
Shropshire Wildlife Trust
December 2015