Job Title: Welcome Space Programme Manager
Salary: £27,000 per annum, pro rata 15 hours per week (approx £10,800 per annum).
Hours: 15 hours per week
Location: The Welcome Space, Templars Square, Oxford
Line Manager: Head of Operations
Contract: 12 months fixed term – with the potential to renew until 2028.
Pension is offered to all employees
About Ark-T
Ark-T is an Oxford-based arts and wellbeing charity that uses creativity to support mental health,connection and community resilience.
The Welcome Space is at the heart of our community work. Based in Templars Square, it is a welcoming, creative space where local people can connect with others, take part in arts activities, access low-level wellbeing support and feel part of their community. We believe creativity can change lives and that everyone deserves to feel they belong.
Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
At Ark-T, we are passionate about creating a welcoming, inclusive organisation where everyone feels valued and respected. We warmly encourage applications from people from Global Majority communities, disabled people, LGBTQ+ communities and others who are currently underrepresented within the arts and charity sectors. We value lived experience alongside professional experience and are committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve.
Purpose of the Role
The Welcome Space is the heart of Ark-T’s community work. We are looking for someone warm, creative and full of ideas to help it flourish.
This is a hands-on, community-facing role. You will help create a welcoming space where everyone feels they belong, coordinate inspiring creative activities, support volunteers, work alongside colleagues and local artists, and help demonstrate the impact of the Welcome Space through effective monitoring and reporting.
Working closely with the wider Ark-T team, you will help the Welcome Space become a vibrant hub for creativity, connection and community in East Oxford.
No two days will be the same.
Key Responsibilities
Welcome Space Coordination & Community Engagement
● Create a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong.
● Build positive relationships with visitors, volunteers, artists and organisations using the Welcome
Space.
● Encourage participation in creative activities and provide information and signposting where
appropriate.
● Support the day-to-day running of the Welcome Space, ensuring it remains safe, calm and
welcoming.
● Monitor attendance, visitor engagement and day-to-day use of the space.
● Follow Ark-T’s safeguarding procedures, maintaining accurate records and escalating concerns
appropriately.
● Work flexibly as part of the wider Ark-T team, supporting organisational priorities and
community events when required.
Creative Programming & Collaboration
● Coordinate creative workshops, exhibitions and community activities within the Welcome Space.
● Work with artists, volunteers, community members and Ark-T colleagues to deliver inspiring,
inclusive and community-led creative activities.
● Gather ideas and feedback from visitors to help shape future activities and ensure the
programme continues to evolve in response to community need.
● Ensure activities are well organised, appropriately resourced and reflect Ark-T’s values.
● Work collaboratively with Ark-T staff to support the planning and delivery of activities,
workshops, exhibitions and events taking place in the Welcome Space.
Community Relationships
● Help ensure everyone who uses the Welcome Space feels welcomed, included and supported.
● Work with Ark-T colleagues to support community groups and organisations delivering activities
in the Welcome Space.
● Identify opportunities to strengthen community engagement and share ideas with the Head of
Operations and CEO.
Monitoring, Communications & Reporting
● Collect attendance, monitoring and evaluation data, including visitor feedback, case studies and
photographs.
● Maintain accurate records and provide information to support funding reports and
organisational evaluation.
● Support promotion of the Welcome Space through social media and other communications.
● Keep organised records and contribute to demonstrating the impact of the Welcome Space.
Volunteers & Team Working
● Support volunteers so they feel welcomed, valued and confident in their roles.
● Work closely with the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure appropriate volunteer support and cover.
● Work collaboratively with the Head of Operations and wider Ark-T team, contributing positively
to Ark-T’s culture and shared objectives.
Operations & Resources
● Help maintain a safe, well-organised and inspiring environment.
● Report maintenance, health and safety or operational issues promptly.
● Maintain art materials, equipment and displays, ensuring the space remains creative, welcoming
and functional.
● Monitor stock levels and support the sustainable use of resources.
● Assist the Head of Operations with monitoring the Welcome Space budget and associated
administration where required.
Person Specification
Essential
● A warm, friendly and approachable person who genuinely enjoys meeting and talking with
people from all backgrounds.
● Passionate about creativity, community and helping people feel they belong.
● Creative, proactive and full of ideas.
● Able to build positive relationships with a wide range of people.
● Able to work independently and use initiative.
● Strong organisational and administrative skills.
● Experience working in community, arts, wellbeing or charity settings.
● Experience coordinating activities, workshops or community programmes.
● Experience gathering monitoring or evaluation information and maintaining accurate records.
● Comfortable using digital systems including email, spreadsheets and online databases.
● Excellent communication and listening skills.
● Able to remain calm and professional when dealing with challenging situations.
● An understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality and professional boundaries.
● A strong commitment to equality, inclusion and community wellbeing.
● Flexible and willing to contribute as part of a small, supportive team.
Desirable
● Experience working with volunteers.
● Experience supporting funding reports or grant monitoring.
● Experience using social media to promote community activities.
● Understanding of trauma-informed or wellbeing-focused approaches.
● Knowledge of East Oxford communities.
● First Aid or Mental Health First Aid qualification (or willingness to undertake training).
Additional Information
● This role requires regular on-site working in the Welcome Space.
● Occasional evening or weekend working may be required to support events.
● The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check.
● Ark-T is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and
vulnerable adults.
● As a growing community project, the Welcome Space will continue to evolve. The responsibilities
within this role are therefore intended as a guide and may develop over time in discussion with
the postholder.
How to Apply
To apply for the Welcome Space Programme Manager role, please submit the following via email to
jo@ark-t.org:
1- Your Current CV
2- A Supporting Statement (Maximum 500 words)
3- Examples of Work: Please share up to 5 examples of community engagement projects, creative workshops, or exhibitions you have previously coordinated or contributed to (this can be via web links, a portfolio document, or images with brief descriptions).
If you have any questions about the role or require any reasonable adjustments during the application process, please contact Jo Race@ark-t.org
Key Dates & Recruitment Timeline
Applications Open: Rolling applications from 30th June 2026
Closing Date: Tuesday 28th July 2026 ( midnight )
First Round Interviews: Wednesday 5th August 2026
Second Round Interviews: Wednesday 12th August 2026
Start Date: As soon as possible
Please Note: We are operating a rolling recruitment process for this role and reserve the right to interview and appoint before the official closing date. We strongly encourage early applications.