Wakefield Team Leader

The successful applicant will be responsible for the day-to-day running and development of our inspirational work in Wakefield – helping disabled people to access and enjoy the countryside. You must be an inspirational team player with a proven capacity for personal creativity and flair. You would manage two members of staff (1.1 FTE) and work alongside adults with all sorts of disabilities, in all weathers, in all manner of countryside settings. There would be a need to work one weekend each month, plus some evening work. We can (we hope!) guarantee you find the work fun, well-respected and rewarding.

The job includes minibus driving. Thus, it is desirable that candidates have a D1 entitlement. Your job will involve some administrative duties, so some familiarity with computers is essential.

The role would suit a countryside, recreation or disability professional who is energetic, hard-working, able to inspire their colleagues and willing to work unsupervised.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. Day-to-day running of the Wakefield Hub.
2. In partnership with the Open Country fundraising team, work to ensure the long-term future of the Hub through contributing to income generation.
3. Line management responsibilities for Wakefield Hub staff (currently 1.1 FTE)
4. Provide some Wakefield staff activity cover.
5. Leading on member recruitment, to increase participation numbers annually.
6. Co-ordinate Wakefield Hub volunteer recruitment, training and resourcing.
7. Publicise and promote the Wakefield Hub.
8. Produce an interesting and enjoyable programme of Countryside Activities.
9. Organise and lead the seasonal Wakefield Tandem Club.
10. Lead weekend activities on one weekend each month, including up to two residential weekends annually.
11. Undertake general Wakefield Hub administrative tasks.
12. Undertake required training e.g MiDAS, Safeguarding and First Aid.
13. Abide by all our Policies.
14. Undertake whatever duties are allocated by the Trustees and Chief Officer, to ensure that Open Country offers a high quality and caring service.

Open Country – Background Information

Open Country was established in Harrogate in 1990, as a three-year pilot project. Its remit was to help anyone with any disability, be it learning or physical disability, sensory impairment or mental health issue, to access and enjoy the countryside. After the initial three years were over, such a level of expectation had been raised among local disabled people that we have continued ever since! Over the intervening years, we have expanded our activities, so that we currently have over 25 activity clubs working in Harrogate, Barnsley, Ripon, Selby, Wetherby, York and of course, Wakefield!

Our countryside activities include walking, tandem cycling, outdoor pursuits, wildlife study, nature conservation work parties and countryside outings. Our activities now welcome around 500 people, most of whom have disabilities, on roughly 10,000 people/activity days annually.

Through our Countryside Advice Service, we are involved with the dissemination of information, training and advice on countryside access. We have produced 10 Breakfree packs, detailing local accessible walks and cycles.

Our Wakefield Hub has been running since September 2017 and at present we support over 150 disabled adults around the wider community to access and enjoy the countryside through a range of popular activities including adapted cycling, conservation work, walking, wheelchair trips and adventure sports. We have an office in Horbury and an operational base at Thornes Park, just south of Wakefield city centre.

Since 2004, Open Country has been a Company Limited by Guarantee (05155859) and a Registered Charity (1107331). We have two Patrons – Air Commodore Simon Bostock and Lord Willis of Knaresborough and a board of 8 proactive Director/Trustees. There are 12 other staff posts (9.2 FTE) and we are heavily reliant on our 150 fantastic volunteers, including almost 50 in Wakefield district.