At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative sessions and empower young people to develop impactful projects.
- Company: Join an award-winning programme dedicated to social change in North Manchester.
- Benefits: Freelance fee of £12,700 for a meaningful role with flexible hours.
- Other info: Opportunity to work closely with young innovators and build community partnerships.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while inspiring the next generation of leaders.
- Qualifications: Experience in facilitating workshops and a passion for youth empowerment.
The predicted salary is between 12700 - 12700 £ per year.
MAIN LOCATION: Moston and Harpurhey
RESPONSIBLE TO: The Agency Project Manager
WORKING PATTERN: Saturday day time and Wednesday afternoon/evenings in Harpurhey, North Manchester. Occasionally at Contact or at community places local to North Manchester.
STATUS: Freelance
CONTRACT TIMEFRAME: August 2026 – May 2027
FREELANCE FEE: £12,700
DEADLINE: Monday 3rd August, 2026 – we reserve the right to close applications early
The Agency is an award-winning creative entrepreneurship programme that empowers young people in Moston and Harpurhey (aged 15–25) to develop projects for social change, based on their interests and the needs of their communities. Our work aims to positively impact the local area and support young people to grow as creators, leaders, and innovators.
The Agency splits into two cycles. Cycle 1 is where we work with a large group of young people to nurture projects for social change. Cycle 2 is where three of these projects are funded and piloted.
We are looking for a Lead Artist Facilitator to join us, supporting young people to unlock their desire for change to make positive projects that impact their local community. We are seeking an experienced facilitator who is confident, enthusiastic and passionate about working with young people and driving social change.
Working closely with the Project Manager, you will lead weekly creative sessions, support our Peer Mentor, build community partnerships and help young people bring their ideas to life in an inclusive and inspiring environment. You will then work closely with the young people whose projects are funded to bring their projects to completion.
Contract detail includes:
- 2 days a week (Wednesday and Saturdays) for 18 weeks (12 weeks in Cycle 1 and 6 weeks in Cycle 2)
- 1.5 days a week (Wednesday half day and Saturday full day) for 10 weeks in Cycle 2
- 7 additional days for planning and evaluation
- 3 days of essential Agency Methodology Training (Tues 25th August – Thursday 27th August) at Contact
Person Spec:
- An artistic practice that can be applied to The Agency methodology to create creative and engaging workshops.
- A passion for empowering young people to provoke change in their lives and wider community.
- A desire to affect social change within hard-to-reach communities.
- Confident communicating with a range of different people and an ability to build relationships in a community setting.
- Experience of working with and facilitating young people.
- An understanding of the challenges facing young people today.
- Experience of delivering community-based workshops.
- A diverse approach to working with a wide range of people.
- Ability to problem solve and come up with creative solutions to challenges.
- A proven track record of being committed and reliable when working with young people.
- Knowledge of good safeguarding practice.
- An up-to-date enhanced DBS disclosure.
Cycle 1 Brief (September-December):
- As the Lead Facilitator, plan, deliver, and evaluate 12 weekly Agency sessions with up to 25 young people aged 15-25 in-line with the Agency methodology.
- Work closely with The Agency peer mentor in the planning and delivery of weekly sessions.
- Provide The Agency Project Manager with session plans at least a week in advance.
- Work closely with young people to empower them to develop their ideas within the methodology of The Agency.
Cycle 2 Brief (January-May):
- For stage two of the project, work with a group of young people (The Agents) to realise their 3 successfully pitched projects over 16 weeks.
- Work closely with the project manager to plan and support delivery of Masterclasses.
- Identify networks for them to connect with and set up meetings where appropriate.
- Identify future funding opportunities and methods of sustainability for the projects and their development, e.g., Prince’s Trust, Unltd, Awards for All.
- Support one of the projects as Producer/Mentor.
- Encourage and support The Agents to work more autonomously and ensure they have the skills to complete further projects independently.
- Oversee all planning and budget documents for The Agents’ projects.
- Be present at The Agents’ meetings with Contact staff and external people.
- Provide feedback and evaluation to enable The Agents to grow.
- Ensure all projects are fully documented.
- Work closely with the Project Manager to ensure the above aims are met and to discuss any concerns that arise, or any additional support needed.
SELECTION PROCESS: In early August, we will run a two-stage selection. We will hold interviews online on Thursday 6th August, and then invite a shortlist of candidates to Contact to run a 20 minute practical workshop with some of our Agents on Thursday 13th August.
Lead Facilitator - The Agency in Manchester employer: contacttheatre
The Agency is a dynamic and impactful employer dedicated to empowering young people in Moston and Harpurhey through creative entrepreneurship. With a strong focus on social change, the company fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture that values creativity and community engagement. Employees benefit from professional growth opportunities, hands-on experience in facilitating workshops, and the chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of local youth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Facilitator - The Agency in Manchester
✨Connect with Local NGOs
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✨Showcase Your Impact Portfolio
Create a compelling portfolio that highlights your past social impact projects. This should include client testimonials and case studies—real stories that show how you've made a difference. Use platforms like Behance or a personal website to host your work.
✨Engage with Online Communities
Join Facebook groups and LinkedIn communities focused on social impact and non-profits. Participating in discussions not only builds your reputation but can also lead to freelance gigs as other members share job opportunities.
✨Pitch to Non-Profit Startups
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We think you need these skills to ace Lead Facilitator - The Agency in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Impact:When applying for a freelance role in social impact projects, let your enthusiasm shine through! In your application, share personal anecdotes or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to social causes. This helps us see why you're a perfect fit for making a difference with contacttheatre.
Craft a Tailored Portfolio:For our freelance positions, it’s really important to include a portfolio that showcases your previous work in the nonprofit sector or social impact initiatives. Highlight projects that align closely with the kind of work contacttheatre does, and don’t forget to include metrics or outcomes to illustrate your impact!
Outline Your Availability and Rates Clearly:Transparency is key in freelance applications! Make sure to include your availability and any rate expectations in your application. This gives us a clear understanding of how you can fit into our projects and helps to set the stage for a smooth collaboration.
Connect the Dots in Your CV:When it comes to your CV, focus on relevant experiences that highlight your skills in project management, grant writing, or community engagement. Tailor your CV to reflect the specific requirements of the freelance role at contacttheatre to help us understand how you can directly contribute to our mission.
How to prepare for a job interview at contacttheatre
✨Showcase Your Impact
As we're diving into the world of nonprofits and social impact projects, it’s vital to highlight your previous work that made a difference. Bring along case studies or examples from your freelance projects that emphasise your ability to create positive change and measure outcomes. Let’s show contacttheatre how you’ve delivered real results!
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you’d handle specific challenges in the nonprofit space. They might throw real-world scenarios your way to see your problem-solving skills in action. Practise articulating your thought process, as this will demonstrate not only competence but also a genuine passion for the issues at stake.
✨Pitch Your Unique Value
Remember, freelancing means you’re not just someone they hire; you’re a partner in their mission. Be prepared to sell your unique skillset and how it fits their needs. Tailor your pitch based on the social causes they're involved in to show that you understand and resonate with their goals.
✨Bring the Right Tools
In the nonprofit sector, familiarity with project management and collaboration tools can set you apart. Whether it’s Trello, Asana, or Google Workspace, have examples ready of how you’ve used these tools in past projects to streamline your work. This will illustrate your organisational skills and readiness to be an effective team member from day one.
