Leading with Hope marks our shift from broad regional and national grant making to deep, long-term investment in youth-led change and community-rooted spaces in Portsmouth, London, and Birmingham.
At Blagrave, we do our best work when there is clarity, joy, and balance.
We are committed to creating a safe and supportive working environment where our team can thrive and contribute meaningfully to our mission of empowering young people facing unfair systems to lead lasting change.
We’re looking for people who care deeply about making a real difference and who feel excited by our mission and values. We especially welcome applications from people who bring different lived experiences and perspectives, and who help us stay closely connected to the communities we exist to serve. Each role comes with a clear person specification, so you’ll know exactly what we’re looking for.
Vacancies
Vacancies
Open
Management Accountant
We are looking for someone who will play a key role in helping Blagrave make the best use of its resources, providing us with clear financial insight, and informed decision-making.
Closed
Programmes Manager
We are seeking someone who can work proactively, leading programmes with skill. They will have excellent people skills, and be confident building trusted relationships across the community.
Closed
Grants Officer
We are looking for a proactive and organised Grants Officer to support the delivery of our grant-making programme and help empower young people facing deep-rooted inequality to create lasting change.
Closed
Learning and Insights Manager
Blagrave was looking for a Learning & Insights Manager to shape how we understand impact and embed reflective practice across our organisation.
Closed
Community Engagement Manager – Portsmouth
We’re seeking a Community Engagement Manager to lead Blagrave’s engagement across Portsmouth!
Closed
Head of Finance – Part Time (3 Days)
Are you a forward‑thinking finance leader ready to shape mission‑driven strategy?
Closed
Challenge and Change Officer
Are you passionate about youth-led change and ready to champion the voices of young activists across England?
Closed
Head of Communities and Partnerships
We are looking for a strategic connector to lead values-led partnerships across sectors and with the communities we serve.
Management Accountant
We are looking for an experienced Management Accountant with strong management and financial accounting expertise who can provide clear, insightful financial information that enables our Board to make informed decisions to deliver our strategy, Leading with Hope.
Beyond technical accounting expertise, we are seeking someone who is excited by the role finance can play in creating social impact.
As a Management Accountant, you will:
Prepare monthly management accounts and financial reports, ensuring information is accurate, timely and insightful.
Help translate financial information into clear and accessible insights for non-finance colleagues.
Support the annual budgeting process across the organisation, working with budget holders to develop realistic budgets aligned to organisational priorities.
Develop scenario models to support strategic planning, investment decisions and guiding the allocation of financial resources to deliver our strategy.
Monitor restricted and unrestricted income and expenditure, ensuring resources are used in line with organisational and funder expectations.
Lead compliance with charity, accounting, tax and other relevant regulatory requirements.
Ensure appropriate financial controls and reporting arrangements are in place for restricted funds, grants and designated funds.
Please apply in writing by submitting a brief CV and a covering letter (no more than two sides of A4) outlining what you would bring to the role by Tuesday 22th September, 11.30pm.
For any questions, or to request information in alternative formats, please contact Valeria at hr@blagravetrust.org.
Programmes Manager
Working across partnerships, community engagement, grant-making and programme delivery, you will build strong local relationships, coordinate key projects and events, gather community insight, and support initiatives that improve outcomes for young people and communities.
The successful candidate will be proactive, well-connected, and skilled at turning ideas, partnerships and local knowledge into meaningful impact.
As a Programmes Manager, you will:
Manage relationships and projects with operational partners.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with a wide range of local stakeholders.
Design and lead community engagement activities.
Work with partners and facilitators to convene and support an intergenerational steering group of local people experiencing deep-rooted inequality.
Play an active role in the Grants team, contributing to team learning and best practice.
Collect local intelligence and insights from grants data and community engagement.
Alongside local partners, design, coordinate and deliver vibrant community events.
Please apply in writing by submitting a brief CV and a covering letter (no more than two sides of A4) outlining what you would bring to the role by Wednesday 16th September, 11.30pm.
For any questions, or to request information in alternative formats, please contact Valeria at hr@blagravetrust.org.
Grants Officer
Working across the full grants cycle, you will coordinate key administrative processes, maintain accurate records, analyse and report on grants data, and support the planning and delivery of events.
The successful candidate will be dependable, detail-oriented, and committed to ensuring efficient systems and high-quality support for applicants, grant recipients, and colleagues.
As a Grants Officer, you will:
Coordinate the administration of grants and events across the grants programme.
Maintain and improve grant management systems and processes.
Provide timely support and guidance to applicants and respond to enquiries.
Ensure accurate grant records and documentation for compliance, audit, and impact reporting.
Collect, monitor, analyse, and report on grant-making data.
Support consistent use of Salesforce across the team.
Assist with event logistics, travel bookings, invoice processing, and general team administration.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong organisational and administrative skills who enjoys working with data, improving processes, and contributing to meaningful social impact.
Please send your CV and a covering letter answering our questions to hr@blagravetrust.org by 16 August 2026: • Why do you want to work at Blagrave? • What makes you suitable for this role? • Tell us about a time when you improved an admin system or process.
Your cover letter should be no longer than 2 pages. In addition to answering the questions above, please include any other information you would like us to consider. Full details included in the job description.
For any questions, or to request information in alternative formats, please contact Valeria at valeria@blagravetrust.org.
Learning and Insights Manager
Join Blagrave as our Learning & Insights Manager!
Are you curious, collaborative and passionate about turning learning into meaningful change? Blagrave is looking for a Learning & Insights Manager to shape how we understand impact and embed reflective practice across our organisation.
In this role, you’ll lead our internal learning processes, translate stories and data into clear insights, and help us share what we’re learning with the wider youth and social justice sector. If you love making sense of complexity, creating thoughtful spaces for reflection, and supporting teams to learn and adapt, we’d love to hear from you.
Please send a brief CV, and a covering letter answering our questions to hr@blagravetrust.org by Thursday, 30th of April.
For any questions, or to request information in alternative formats, please contact Valeria at valeria@blagravetrust.org.
Community Engagement Manager – Portsmouth
Join Blagrave as our Community Engagement Manager!
This role is pivotal to shaping our local programme, ensuring Blagrave is deeply connected with young people, community groups, grassroots organisations, local institutions and strategic partners across the city.
A core requirement for this role is deep knowledge of and connection to Portsmouth. We are explicitly looking for someone rooted in the city - through lived experience, local work, strong networks, or a proven track record of building trusted community relationships.
How to apply: Please send a brief CV, and a covering letter (no more than two sides of A4) to hr@blagravetrust.org by Sunday, 8 March at 23:30
For any questions, or to request information in alternative formats, please contact our Head of Communities and Partnerships Marie Benton at marie@blagravetrust.org.
Head of Finance – Part Time (3 Days)
Join Blagrave as our Head of Finance!
The Blagrave Trust is seeking a Head of Finance to lead financial strategy in service of social justice for young people. As a key member of the leadership team, you’ll oversee financial planning, controls, reporting, investments and property portfolios, ensuring all assets work cohesively for long‑term mission impact. We’re looking for a qualified accountant with senior experience—ideally in a charity or mission‑driven organisation—who brings strong strategic, governance and investment oversight skills, alongside curiosity and courage in responsible, regenerative and climate‑conscious finance. This is a permanent, part-time, hybrid role with one day per week in London, Birmingham or Portsmouth.
We are partnering with Doing Good Recruitment on this campaign. Please click here to see the job pack and next steps on their site. To apply, please submit your CV through Doing Good Recruitment. Suitable candidates will be contacted and stewarded towards the submission of a supporting letter.
Vacancy closes on 25 January 2026 at 17:00.
Challenge and Change Officer
Join Blagrave as our Challenge and Change Officer!
As our Challenge and Change Officer, you’ll be at the heart of a bold and dynamic programme that funds and empowers young people driving social transformation. This is a unique opportunity to build meaningful relationships with inspiring youth leaders and support their development. If you're a dynamic and self-motivated individual with a passion for driving social change, this might be the role for you.
This is a fixed term role to 31 March 2027.
We are aiming to hold interviews on the week of 27th October, 2025.
Please send your CV and cover letter to hr@blagravetrust.org by Monday, 20th of October 2025, at 8am.
Should you have any questions about this application process please contact Valeria on hr@blagravetrust.org.
Head of Communities and Partnerships
Join Blagrave Trust as our Head of Communities & Partnerships!
This exciting new role is about creating connections, building ecosystems and developing and strengthening relationships that power social justice movements. As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will work closely with the CEO to lead our partnerships and community engagement work — creating the enabling conditions and networks that help youth-led movements grow, sustain, and make lasting change.
This is a permanent, full-time role. The salary is £48,000 - £55,000 depending on experience.
Interviews will hopefully take place weeks of 11th and 18th of August.
To apply, send your CV and cover letter of maximum 2 pages to hr@blagravetrust.orgby 3rd of August at 11:30pm – early applications are encouraged.
The successful candidates will be subject to Enhanced DBS check and references. You must have the right to work in the UK.
Blagrave is a disability friendly employer. Please contact Valeria at hr@blagravetrust.org if you have any questions or would like to receive this document in a different format.
Working at Blagrave
As a mission-driven social justice organisation, we're proud to share what we stand for as an employer. We want Blagrave to be a place where people feel supported and empowered to do their best work, without having to choose between work and life. We value time for family, culture, and community, and believe this balance helps us grow as individuals and build a fairer society.
Here are some of the benefits we offer.
Fair pay We are a Living Wage employer and always pay at least the Real Living Wage. Our pay policy is fair, transparent, and competitive within the sector, with clear salary bands for employment roles. We show our salary on all our role adverts so you know what to expect from the start.
Pension All eligible employees are automatically enrolled in our pension scheme from their first payroll (with the option to opt out). We contribute 5% of your salary.
Progression We have a clear and thoughtful approach to pay progression, both within salary bands and through opportunities to move into new roles.
4 day working week We are currently trialling the 4 day working week, with no loss of pay and changes in expectations around deliverables. This means full-time employees work 80% of the time while receiving 100% of their salary, supporting more sustainable ways of working without compromising impact.
Enhanced sick pay From day one, we offer enhanced sick pay of four weeks at full salary, followed by four weeks at half salary, so you can focus on recovery without added financial pressure.
Wellbeing budget A wellbeing budget to spend on the things that support your wellbeing and bring you joy.
Employee assistance programme Free, confidential support available 24/7, offering a safe space to talk through personal or work-related challenges. This includes short-term counselling, legal advice, and financial guidance.
Eye care A contribution towards eye tests and glasses for anyone who needs them for work, available from day one.
Life assurance We offer life assurance at four times your salary, providing added peace of mind and financial security for you and your loved ones.
Home working equipment Equipment to help you create a comfortable and suitable working environment at home.
Individual learning and development Everyone has an individual learning and development plan shaped around their needs and interests. This may include mentoring, coaching, internal or external training, and access to a bite-sized e-learning platform.
Organisational learning Each year, we take part in a shared learning and development journey as a team. Previous topics have included anti-oppressive practice, budgeting for non-financial managers, understanding youth violence, and facilitation skills.
Monthly team days We come together each month to build connection, reflect, and learn as a team. These days might focus on learning, deepening relationships, or simply spending time together doing something fun.
Maternity and adoption leave and pay From six months of employment, colleagues are entitled to enhanced maternity or adoption pay. All employees are entitled to statutory maternity and adoption leave from day one.
Paternity and adoption leave and pay Enhanced paternity and adoption leave and pay are available from day one of employment, supporting shared care and family life from the start.
Special leave From six months of employment, we offer up to one week of paid special leave (pro-rata for part-time employees) to support colleagues through urgent or exceptional domestic situations or personal crises.
Cycle to Work scheme Run through the Green Commute Initiative, this scheme allows you to save between 33.25% and 48.25% on a bike and accessories, paid for through convenient monthly instalments.
Railcard We cover the cost of your railcard, helping you save up to a third on rail travel.
Season ticket loan Interest-free annual season ticket loans are available from day one of employment, making commuting more affordable from the start.
Four-day week (trial) We are currently trialling a four-day working week with no loss of pay and no change to expectations. Full-time employees work 80% of the time for 100% of the salary.
Annual leave 25 days of annual leave plus all England bank holidays (pro-rated during the four-day week trial). After five years, annual leave increases by one day per year, up to 30 days. We also close between 27–31 December.
Flexible ways of working Core hours are 10am–3pm, with flexible start and finish times agreed with your manager. Part-time roles are available, and flexible working can be requested from day one.
Our usual pattern is two days in the office, with the rest of the time working from home, and you can also work remotely from another country for up to four weeks per year (maximum two weeks at a time).
Religious holiday exchange Swap Easter bank holidays for other religious celebration days that matter to you.
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Our Commitments
Due diligence policy
Policy on paying for freelance work
Conflicts of interest policy
Safer recruitment policy
Responding to a concern about a child’s welfare
Responding to a safeguarding concern about an adult at risk
Whistleblowing policy
Diversity, equity and inclusion policy
Safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children and adults policy
Investments policy
Anti-fraud, bribery and corruption policy
Privacy and data protection policy
Complaints policy
Commitment to transparency – how Blagrave works with advisers
Commitment to safeguarding (due diligence)
Commitment to partners
Living wage funder commitment
Youth engagement and leadership commitment
Our climate commitment
Our commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression
Where we stand: reflections on the UK non profit sector
Grant making is a judgement that balances considerations between benefit and risk, to identify partnerships in line with our strategic priorities. We undertake due diligence on all our potential funding partners to understand and evaluate the main risks our partners are facing so we can help mitigate them (if we are the right people to do so); to evaluate the risks to Blagrave in funding, and to fulfil our duties for diligent grant making as required by the Charity Commission.
This policy outlines how we pay people and organisations who provide professional services on a freelance contract at Blagrave. It applies to all individuals or registered companies on freelance contract, for example, advisers, facilitators, consultants, learning partners and speakers at our events. This policy also lays out the rates we pay for different types of service providers, and how we arrived at the set amounts.
At Blagrave, we aim to be a transparent and fair organisation. We value lived experience alongside learned ‘professional’ experience. We strive towards being equitable by addressing how we can support team members to bring their whole selves in to their work as advisers, consultants, staff and Trustees, and this includes bringing their passion and insight. We balance this alongside our legal obligation to act in the best interests of the Trust, and in accordance with our governing document, and we carefully manage situations where there might be a conflict of interest.
Our commitment to safer recruitment and the use of background checks, including DBS checks, reflects our dedication to creating a safe environment for all.
We aim to balance the need for safety with the principles of fairness, respect, and inclusivity. We encourage applicants to engage with the process openly and without fear, knowing that their information will be handled confidentially and that decisions will be made with sensitivity and careful consideration of their individual circumstances.
For more information, contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Valeria Tavares at valeria@blagravetrust.org.
We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of children and young people and keep them safe. As The Trust doesn’t work directly with children, this procedure mainly applies to grant partners who are directly working with children and are operating under Blagrave’s safeguarding arrangements as a condition of their funding.
Responding to a safeguarding concern about an adult at risk
This procedure aims to provide clear guidance on how to report concerns about the safety of an adult that may be directly or indirectly impacted by our work. This procedure applies to anyone working on behalf of The Trust, including senior managers, trustees, employees, volunteers, freelance contractors, and grant partners who sit under our safeguarding arrangements.
We are committed to the highest standards of openness, probity and accountability. An important aspect of accountability and transparency is a mechanism to enable staff and other people associated with the Trust to voice concerns in a responsible and effective manner. Where an individual discovers information which they believe shows serious malpractice or wrongdoing within the organisation then this information should be disclosed internally without fear of reprisal, and there should be arrangements to enable this to be done independently of line management (although in relatively minor instances the line manager would be the appropriate person to be told).
At The Blagrave Trust we are dedicated to fostering a fair and just society. We view young people as powerful forces for change and are committed to creating inclusive spaces where their voices and leadership drive meaningful impact. This policy outlines our approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), going beyond compliance to set best practices that reflect our mission and values.
Safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children and adults policy
The purpose of this policy is:
To keep safe from harm, abuse and exploitation children and adults who are engaged in activity delivered by, or in partnership with, the Blagrave Trust, or by grant partners funded by The Blagrave Trust.
To promote the wellbeing of children and adults who are engaged in activity delivered by, or in partnership with the Blagrave Trust or by partners funded by The Blagrave Trust.
To promote the welfare and keep safe from harm all staff who work on behalf of Blagrave.
To provide all those who work for or on behalf of the Trust with the overarching principles that underpin the Trust’s approach to Safeguarding.
This Policy applies to all employees, trustees, freelancers, advisers, or anyone else working or volunteering on behalf of the Trust; regardless of whether they work directly with children or adults at risk.
Blagrave holds investments in both property and financial markets. We believe we should use all of our resources, including our investments, in pursuit of our mission. As a result, in recent years we have moved approximately two-thirds of our investments to be held with Cazenove Capital and Rathbone Greenbank Investments. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a key lens through which both funds are assessed, and investment decisions categorised to ensure they are Avoiding harm, Benefiting society and Contributing to solutions.
As part of our commitment to ethical investing, in 2020 we launched the ‘ESG olympics’ with Friends Provident Foundation and the Joffe Charitable Trust, to identify the exemplar investors in this space. Following an open tender process Cazenove was selected and have launched the Casenove Sustainable Growth Fund. You can read more about the process here and the resulting report about the state of the sector of ESG here.
Our investment policy sets out our aspirations to ensure we apply our values across all our work.
The Blagrave Trust has a zero-tolerance stance towards fraud, bribery and corruption. The Trust requires all those receiving funding or representing the Trust, including its suppliers, grant recipients, partners, contractors, advisers, volunteers and agents, to act in accordance with our Fraud policy.
Your privacy is important, and we will not do anything to violate your trust. We collect information about visits to this site anonymously so that it cannot be associated with a particular user.
As a progressive funder we see it as essential we take an anti oppressive approach, treat everyone fairly, and practice transparency so that we can be held to account. We therefore take any complaints we receive very seriously.
You can use this policy to contact us if you think Blagrave has done something wrong, not provided a good enough service, or made a mistake.
Commitment to transparency – how Blagrave works with advisers
In line with our value of transparency, this document lays out how we work with advisers, how and how much we pay advisers. It also shares how we arrived at our decisions.
A strong safeguarding culture is essential to all that work with children and adults at risk. We are committed to ensuring we do this safely through robust checks and sharing good practice.
Our commitments statement sets out our commitment to our partners. It is a key mechanism for accountability in our work, and we welcome your comments and feedback.
Living wage funder commitment
We are a Living Wage Funder – that means that we are committed to both paying the Living Wage ourselves and supporting and enabling our charity partners to do the same.
We’re currently reviewing Youth engagement and leadership to ensure our policies remain up to date and we continue to centre young people in all that we do. Watch this space…
Our climate commitment
We've recently renewed our commitment to prioritise climate justice and action throughout our work. Read more here.
Our commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression
This document sets out Blagrave’s core commitments to anti-racism and anti-oppression as we move into our new strategy in 2026. It is grounded in humility, accountability, and ongoing learning.
Where we stand: reflections on the UK non profit sector
At Blagrave, we spend a lot of time listening – to young people, to partners, and to others working across the non-profit sector. Over time, their honesty has invited us to hold complex questions and sit with the tensions in the system, as well as the contradictions in our own practices. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has been necessary.
Where We Stand is a three-part video series that offers an honest, thoughtful and compassionate reflection on the UK’s non-profit sector. Rooted in the insights of those working directly with and within communities, it aims not to prescribe solutions but to surface truths, recognise challenges and open space for meaningful conversation.
It is an opportunity for our partners to express what they’re feeling, seeing and navigating as we listen closely to the truths they’re holding.
Each video acts as a prompt for reflection. We hope it creates space – for curiosity, recognition, accountability and deeper dialogue.
Episode one: Young people and youth work
Young people today are growing up amid financial insecurity, rising mental health challenges and rapid digital change. One in four children lives in poverty, while access to youth services and safe community spaces continues to shrink.
This episode brings forward perspectives from those closest to these realities, exploring what it feels like to grow up in this context and to work within a youth sector shaped by long-term cuts. The conversation highlights what is being lost when support is reduced just as need intensifies.
Reflection questions:
What becomes possible when young people have power over the spaces and resources in their communities?
What does it look like to build support systems that don’t disappear when funding cycles end?
Watch episode one on YouTube:
Episode two: Today’s Reality for Youth Charities
Charities across the UK are operating in increasingly difficult conditions. Income is falling, costs are rising, and demand for services continues to grow. After years of austerity, many organisations have become lifelines – stepping in where public systems no longer reach.
In this episode, trusted voices working in the youth sector share what this reality looks like on the ground, and what it means for young people who rely on these services. The conversation surfaces the pressures charities are under, the ways organisations are adapting, and the gaps that continue to affect young people’s lives.
Reflection questions:
What does it mean to centre young people’s needs in a sector stretched to its limits?
What feels uncomfortable or familiar about some of the issues raised?
Watch episode two on YouTube:
Episode three: Philanthropy Today
Philanthropy has positioned itself as a force for tackling inequality and shaping social progress. Yet the scale and urgency of today’s challenges raise difficult questions about whether existing models can meaningfully respond to today’s realities.
In this final episode, voices from across the sector reflect on philanthropy’s role at this moment – including its power, pace and accountability. The discussion invites reflection on whether approaches shaped in a very different social and economic context are still fit for purpose, and what might need to shift in response to systemic injustice.
Reflection questions:
Is philanthropy moving at the pace this moment demands?
Who gets to shape funding decisions – and who doesn’t?
What would it mean to rethink power, not just redistribute money?
Watch episode three on YouTube:
The ripple effect of PGM
The ripple effect of Participatory Grant Making
Back in 2024, we recruited our first multi-generational panel of advisers for the Regional Programme, which distributes around £1.2m each year to youth organisations across the South East of England.
Why?
Rather than making funding decisions solely from Blagrave, we brought together eight people with lived and professional experience of the youth sector. We hoped this would lead to better-informed decisions, but the benefits went much further.
What we learned
Individual empowerment Advisers felt their lived, learned and professional expertise was genuinely valued and fairly paid. For some, the experience changed their expectations of future employment and their sense of what they could contribute.
Impact on applicants Advisers gave applications considerable time and thoughtful feedback, helping applicants feel seen and valued regardless of the outcome.
Sector impact The programme also demonstrated higher standards for funder behaviour, particularly around feedback, responsiveness and respect.
What it took
Advisers were contracted for at least 12 months, paid for their time, given a substantial induction and supported to build relationships and reflect together. The programme cost around £10,000 in direct costs and support, with approximately 100 hours budgeted for each adviser over the year.
Blagrave concluded that the investment directly supported its mission of putting power in the hands of the people it seeks to serve.
Thanks went to regional advisers Helen, Karen, Megan, Alec, Gray, Zamy, Eli and Louise, and independent facilitator Katherine Perrin.
