Youth First, a community benefit society set up to sustain and grow youth work in Lewisham at a time of cuts, is looking for a new board leader to steer the organisation through the next phase of its development.
Youth First is inviting applications from “energetic and experienced candidates”.
It is looking for canidates with a “strong background and track record of providing leadership at board and/or senior executive level.”
It adds: “You will have a passion for community action and enterprise and want to make a difference, with creativity and stamina.
“You should have the judgement and vision to operate effectively at strategic level and you should demonstrate the skills and expertise in one or more of the following areas: contracting and commissioning of front-line services; fundraising and marketing; and employee and youth engagement.”
Full details of the role and person specification can be found here.
Youth First was spun out of Lewisham Council’s youth service in 2016. It was set up as a community benefit society where staff and young people are the owners of the not-for-profit organisation.
The participatory structure was seen as the best framework to galvanise enthusiasm for youth work and direct it to best meet the needs of young people.
Staff and young people are directly involved in Youth First’s management, meaning it is truly young person centred.
It provides youth work to over 11,000 young people, delivered by over 50 directly employed staff working from five adventure playgrounds and five youth centres.
Alongside the direct delivery of services it aims to be an umbrella for youth provision across Lewisham. More details here.