Job Vacancies

Our centres are growing and we have expanded our team.

Would you like to join us? Please see below our current vacancies.

Oakham Centre Manager

24 hours per week, Monday - Thursday (Flexible hours to meet the needs of our members)

Permanent (3 months probationary period)

£15,230 - £18,000 dependent on experience

Line Manager: Operations Manager

About the Role

We’re looking for someone who genuinely cares about people, connection, and mental wellbeing to take the lead in managing our Oakham Centre.  This is a hands-on role at the heart of Pepper’s — welcoming members, managing volunteers, and making sure sessions run smoothly. As a calm, friendly and approachable presence, you’ll help to create an environment where adults feel supported, listened to and able to be themselves.

You’ll be responsible for identifying new opportunities, building strong local partnerships, and helping the centre grow its reach and impact within the Oakham community.

Working closely with the Operations Manager you will learn about our ethos, the way we run, our volunteer process and our aims before eventually being able to run Oakham more independently.

The job role will include, but is not limited to:

Weekly sessions and activities

• Oversee and manage the daily running of the Oakham Centre
• Be present at drop-in and activity sessions to facilitate conversation, listen to members in crisis and signpost to other services where needed
• Maintain a friendly and welcoming atmosphere
• Ensure sessions run safely
• Write incident reports where necessary

Centre management

• Keep the centre clean, tidy and well-presented (including light daily cleaning tasks)
• Make sure the centre is set-up for each activity
• Manage the centre’s refreshments and on-site cash and donations
• Create a space that’s calm, positive and safe
• Identify any risks and hazards to the operations manager
• Ensure signposting to other local services is up-to-date and available to volunteers

Volunteers

• Manage and maintain the volunteer rota on a monthly, weekly and daily basis
• Recruit, train and support new volunteers on an on-going basis, including management of the DBS system
• Be a first point of contact for all volunteer queries
• Ensure all volunteers are well-trained and supported in-line with Pepper’s safeguarding and other policies
• Look after volunteers’ wellbeing
• Work to create a happy, engaged team for the manager, centre and Pepper’s
• Organise, attend and report on quarterly volunteer meetings

Activities & events

• Manage the existing activities programme, ensuring sessions are well-staffed, well-run, fun and welcoming to new and existing members
• Develop new ideas for activities and add them into the centre programme
• Foster relationships with local organisations who can offer ad hoc activity sessions
• Attend community events where appropriate
• Give presentations at local networking opportunities where appropriate

Community engagement & partnerships

• Build relationships with local services, GPs, council and partner organisations
• Work with local health providers to increase awareness and referrals
• Talk to potential new members on the phone where appropriate
• Develop partnerships with local community groups who are potential funders
• Respond appropriately to messages, phone calls and emails from external partners

Marketing & promotion

• Produce and distribute Pepper’s literature and promote activity sessions
• Liaise with local media to promote the centre and raise awareness
• Manage social media presence with engaging and regular posts to drive awareness through increased followers
• Advertise sessions on social media
• Help with social media campaigns on awareness events such as Mental Health Awareness Week etc.
• Maintain the centre’s profile and keep sessions current on the Pepper’s website
• Advertise the centre and its sessions in local businesses and organisations
• Look for new opportunities to promote Pepper’s work locally
• Create marketing materials on Canva
• Take photos to promote the centre
• Arrange one-off events for members to promote the centre in-line with wider mental health awareness campaigns

Professional development & Pepper’s support

• Be willing to undertake training courses offered by Pepper’s to include, but not limited to, First Aid, safeguarding, understanding mental illnesses etc.
• Deputise for the Melton Centre Manager in their absence
• Work closely with the Operations Manager to develop the Pepper’s brand and overall service offering
• Attend quarterly trustee meetings and write short reports where necessary

We are a small charity with a small team of staff. There may be times where we need the Oakham Centre Manager to cover absences at our Melton centre or to support the Operations Manager with admin.

Person Specification:

• Friendly, approachable, and compassionate
• Confident in managing a group of adults, including those with complex needs
• A great communicator (written and verbal), with strong listening skills
• Organised and self-motivated, with good admin and marketing abilities
• IT-literate and confident using Microsoft Office and Canva
• Trustworthy, professional, and respectful of confidentiality
• Flexible with working hours
• Legally able to work in the UK
• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent

Experience working in mental health or wellbeing is an advantage, but not essential—your ability to build trust, listen deeply, and create safe spaces is what matters most.

How to Apply

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

Please send your CV and a short cover letter to the Operations Manager, telling us why you’re interested and how your experience fits the role to info@peppersasafeplace.co.uk

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 22nd June
First-round interviews: Week commencing 30th June
Second-round interviews: Date to be confirmed, and you will be invited to attend a drop-in session 

This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check

We are an equal opportunities employer

Please note that our Oakham Centre is on the first floor and unfortunately does not have access to a lift.

Volunteers Required

Be part of something meaningful at Pepper’s – A Safe Place

Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do at Pepper’s. Whether it’s offering a warm welcome during a drop-in session, helping with a creative activity, or simply making someone a cuppa and taking time to listen — our volunteers make a real difference every single day.

We’re always looking for kind, compassionate people to join our team and support adults who may be feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or in need of a safe, friendly space.

No formal experience is required — just a listening ear, an open mind, and a few spare hours.
We provide full induction and support, and welcome volunteers from all walks of life.  Please note all our volunteers are DBS checked prior to starting.

What you might help with:

• Chatting with members and creating a welcoming environment
• Supporting activities like arts & crafts, gardening, or mindfulness sessions
• Helping with light refreshments and setting up the space
• Assisting with events or community outreach
• Sharing your own skills or passions (if you'd like to!)

Why volunteer with us?

• Make a meaningful impact in your local community
• Meet new people and be part of a friendly, supportive team
• Gain experience in the wellbeing and mental health space
• Use your time to bring a little light to someone’s day

Whether you can give a regular commitment or just help occasionally, we’d love to hear from you.

info@peppersasafeplace.co.uk 

o7714 503556

Please state whether you are interested in volunteering at our Oakham or Melton Mowbray centre with your availability.