Internal Communications Officer (12 Month Fixed Term Contract to cover Maternity Leave)

Are you a confident communicator who knows how to turn information into something people actually want to read?

Do you enjoy finding stories, bringing people together and making sure everyone feels informed, included and part of what’s happening?

We’re looking for an Internal Communications Officer to join our Marketing and Communications team at Ashgate Hospice on a maternity cover basis.

About the role

Ashgate Hospice is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. This means we are committed to inclusive hiring and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week full time

This is a varied role at the heart of how we communicate with our people.

You’ll help keep our staff and volunteers connected across Ashgate – from our hospice in Old Brampton to colleagues working remotely and across our shops, coffee shops and community hubs throughout North Derbyshire.

A big part of your role will be leading our weekly staff and volunteer bulletin, bringing together news, updates and stories from across the organisation and turning them into clear, engaging content.

You’ll also create communications for SharePoint, email, newsletters, posters and other internal channels, as well as supporting organisation-wide projects, campaigns and events.

You’ll work closely with colleagues across Ashgate to help them communicate effectively with their teams, develop internal communications plans and make sure important messages reach the right people, in the right way and at the right time.

Just as importantly, we want our internal communications to be about more than sharing information. You’ll help us create opportunities for our people to have their say, share their experiences and feel listened to.

 Key responsibilities:

Keep our people informed and connected
Lead our weekly staff and volunteer bulletin and create clear, engaging communications for SharePoint, email, newsletters and other internal channels.

• Tell Ashgate’s stories
  Find and share the stories, achievements and experiences of our staff, volunteers and services, helping people understand the difference Ashgate makes.
• Support organisation-wide communication
  Develop and deliver internal communications plans for projects, campaigns and key organisational messages, working with colleagues across Ashgate to make sure information reaches the right people at the right time.
• Encourage two-way communication and engagement
  Help create a culture where staff and volunteers feel informed, involved and listened to, supporting engagement, wellbeing initiatives and opportunities for people to share their views.
• Keep improving how we communicate
  Manage and develop our internal communication channels, use feedback and engagement data to understand what’s working, and look for new and better ways to connect with our people.

For the full details, you can read the attached job description or give the recruiting manager a call on 07736 934 963 for an informal chat (it may be possible to arrange a visit to the hospice).

What you’ll bring:

Here’s what we’re looking for:

You’ll be a confident, creative and engaging writer who can adapt your style for different audiences and channels.

You’ll be comfortable taking sometimes complex information and making it clear, accessible and interesting. You’ll have good attention to detail, but you’ll also be someone who can see the bigger picture and understand what people need to know – and why.

You’ll be organised and proactive, able to manage several pieces of work at once and comfortable working with colleagues from all areas of the organisation.

You’ll have experience using digital communications tools, including Microsoft 365, SharePoint and Mailchimp, or be confident learning new systems quickly.

And you’ll care about people. You’ll understand that good internal communications can help create a stronger, more connected organisation where everyone feels informed, involved and valued.

About Ashgate:

Ashgate Hospice, based in North Derbyshire, offers free palliative and end of life care for adults with life-limiting or incurable illnesses, including cancer, neurological diseases, and advanced heart, kidney, and lung conditions. Last year, we cared for over 2,400 people. Our aim is to support our patients by keeping them informed, managing their symptoms, and improving their quality of life from diagnosis onwards.

We also provide vital support to the people who are important to them, offering practical assistance and emotional support, including bereavement services.

We’re more than a care provider. We’re a campaigner for sustainable end of life care funding in the UK, and we continually invest in our services and workforce.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do:

• We are compassionate.
• We are a team.
• We are respectful, open, and inclusive.

We value diversity and inclusion and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.

We strive to create a workplace that’s happy, safe, and supportive – and our team seems to agree! In fact, 87% of workforce would recommend Ashgate Hospice as an employer/place to volunteer.

We know how important wellbeing and work-life balance are, which is why we’re open to flexible work arrangements, including job-sharing.

As part of our team, you’ll have access to training opportunities to help you grow, both personally and professionally. Whether you want to develop in your current role or explore new career paths, we’ll support you every step of the way.

Want to know more about what it’s like to work with us? Visit our website, check out our social media channels, or listen to our podcast, The Life and Death Podcast. It’s a great way to get a sense of the Ashgate team and the difference we make.

Benefits of joining us

At Ashgate, we take care of the people who take care of others. Here are some of the benefits we offer:

• Generous holiday entitlement, with the option to increase it through our Annual Buy and Sell Leave Scheme.
• A flexible working approach to help meet your needs and ours, including options like job-sharing.
• A Cycle to Work scheme and a Tech Benefit scheme to help spread the cost of your next bike or gadget.
• Health Cash Plan, giving you money back on treatments like physiotherapy, dental care, and eye tests.
• Access to a range of discounts, with discounts at hundreds of high-street retailers.
• A confidential Employee Assistance Programme, offering free, round-the-clock support when you need it.
• A pension scheme with up to 7% employer contribution, helping you save for the future.
• A life assurance scheme, giving peace of mind for you and those important to you, up to age 65.
• A commitment to your personal and professional development, with training opportunities to help you grow.
• Free, on-site parking whenever you're working at the hospice.
• Discounted, onsite café at our Old Brampton site, available to all staff
• A wide range of initiatives to support your wellbeing, and the time out to practice self-care

Ready to make a difference?

To learn more about the role, please contact Catherine Maddy at 07736 934 963  or email catherine.maddy@ashgatehospice.org.uk. You can arrange to visit the hospice to see what it would be like to work with us.

Please note: Applications must be submitted via the ‘Apply Now’ button on our website. Applications sent directly to People Services or the recruiting manager will not be accepted.

Proposed interview date: 17 December with a start date of mid to late February

Additional Support for Candidates

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive, fair, and accessible.

We welcome requests for reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process for individuals with disabilities, neurodiverse conditions, or long-term health conditions.

As part of our Disability Confident commitment, we guarantee an interview to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role.

All shortlisted candidates will receive interview questions in advance to support preparation.

Accessibility Resources:

If you need support completing your online application, you can contact the Disability Employment Service / Youth Employment Service via ASCH.Disability.EmploymentProject@derbyshire.gov.uk .

We also encourage candidates to complete and share a Health Adjustment Passport. This can help us understand any adjustments or support you may need during the recruitment process or in the workplace. Sharing your passport is entirely optional, but many people find it a helpful tool for identifying and discussing support needs.

You may also be able to access support through the Access to Work scheme - a government initiative designed to help people start or remain in work if they have a health condition or disability. This support can also apply during the recruitment process.

The following resources may also be helpful:

• Looking for work if you are disabled
• Reed in Partnership, Chesterfield Office: Call 0124 695 6275
• Disability Employment Service, Derbyshire County Council

   

Right to Work in the UK

All applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application and throughout their employment.

Ashgate Hospice does not currently hold a Skilled Worker sponsor licence and is therefore unable to sponsor visa applications or offer sponsorship for roles.

Applicants must ensure they have the legal right to work in the UK before applying.

We encourage applicants to check their eligibility using the UK Government's Right to Work and visa guidance before submitting an application. Applications from candidates who require sponsorship will not be progressed.

If you have any questions about adjustments or the recruitment process, please contact our People Services team at peopleservices@ashgatehospice.org.uk or call 01246 568 801.

We kindly ask that applicants who have previously been unsuccessful do not reapply for this role unless they can demonstrate significant additional skills, experience or development since their last application.