At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people through engaging sessions and mentoring to boost their confidence and wellbeing.
- Company: Inspire, a charity dedicated to empowering youth and fostering community.
- Benefits: Career development, birthday leave, additional holiday, childcare support, and free parking.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your own skills.
- Qualifications: Passion for youth support, strong communication skills, and a proactive attitude.
The predicted salary is between 24762 - 27502 £ per year.
Inspire Address: Lowestoft, Ipswich and West Suffolk locations
Salary: £24,762 - £27,502 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Reference: 0796
This Youth and Community Practitioner (multiple vacancies) role sits at the heart of our delivery, supporting both Pre and Post 16 programmes, including the King’s Trust Team Programme and wider youth and community provision.
You’ll be supporting young people to develop confidence, improve wellbeing, and progress into education, employment or training.
You will:
- Deliver engaging group sessions, workshops and outreach activities.
- Support young people to overcome barriers and stay engaged.
- Build positive relationships and act as a trusted mentor.
- Contribute to enrichment activities, trips and residentials.
- Work alongside tutors, youth workers and community partners.
Key responsibilities:
- Support delivery of youth programmes, holiday provision and outreach work
- Encourage participation and recruitment of young people aged 16–25
- Provide mentoring and behavioural support
- Support social action projects, employer engagement and enrichment activities
- Champion youth voice and participation
- Maintain accurate records and support programme compliance
- Follow safeguarding, health and safety and equality procedures
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Passionate about supporting young people from diverse backgrounds.
- A strong communicator who can build positive relationships.
- Organised, proactive and able to work independently.
- Motivated to inspire and empower others.
Essential requirements include:
- Understanding of issues affecting young people.
- Experience using IT systems.
- Knowledge of safeguarding and PREVENT.
- GCSE English (or equivalent).
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
- Willingness to work flexibly, including residentials.
About us
Inspire is a charity dedicated to helping young people discover their purpose and fulfil their potential. In 2024, over 7,000 young people turned to us for support, guidance, and opportunities.
Our mission is rooted in the belief that every young person deserves the chance to lead a confident and fulfilling life. That’s why we focus on all aspects of wellbeing, mental, physical, emotional, and social, to equip young people with the tools and guidance they need to succeed.
To make that all possible, we have an eclectic mix of brilliant people working to do great things for others. We’re committed to creating a supportive working environment where both our team and the young people we serve can thrive.
We will offer you:
- Career development: We invest in your future with access to training and opportunities for career advancement within the organisation.
- Your birthday off! After a successful probation period you will be awarded an additional day’s leave to celebrate your birthday.
- Gifted leave: We understand the importance of quality time with loved ones and that is why we gift additional annual leave over the Christmas period to staff.
- Annual leave and Pension contributions accrual: The longer you stay, the more annual leave and pension contributions you will accrue.
- Childcare support: We offer your children free places (aged between 5-11 years) at our holiday clubs whilst you are working.
- Uniform: We provide a professional, high-quality uniform at no cost to you.
- Free parking: Enjoy the convenience of free car parking at all of our sites.
We believe in equality, diversity and inclusion. We are committed to welcoming, respecting and valuing people for who they are as individuals.
For more information, please contact Tony Wilson, Skills Lead, by emailing tonyw@inspirecharityuk.org
How to apply:
To apply, please send a CV (Curriculum Vitae) and Covering Letter by email to tonyw@inspirecharityuk.org
Closing date: 5.00 pm, 3 July 2026.
Interview date: 15, 17 and 22 July 2026 with a start date planned for late August 2026.
Youth and Community Practitioner in Ipswich employer: Suffolk Jobs Direct
Inspire is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering young people in Lowestoft, Ipswich, and West Suffolk. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we offer generous benefits such as additional leave for birthdays, childcare support, and opportunities for career development, all within a supportive and inclusive work culture. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth and Community Practitioner in Ipswich
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Suffolk Jobs Direct.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Suffolk Jobs Direct.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Suffolk Jobs Direct.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Suffolk Jobs Direct. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Youth and Community Practitioner in Ipswich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Suffolk Jobs Direct. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Youth and Community Practitioner, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Suffolk Jobs Direct
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Suffolk Jobs Direct. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
