Job Title: Tewkesbury Community Builder
Salary: £22,000 per year pro-rata (30 hours per week)
Background
The Roses, in partnership with Tewkesbury Borough Council, Fairshares (Time banking), Priors Park Neighbourhood
Project, Churches Together and Severn Vale Housing, are looking for an exceptional individual/individuals to take on
the role of Community Builder. We are looking to make Tewkesbury a more hospitable place for people living with
dementia, disabilities and mental health problems. We intend to work together as community partners to achieve this.
This post has been funded by:
 The Barnwood Trust
 Big Lottery fund through their Reaching Communities programme
 Fairshares
The successful candidate will have a real knowledge of Tewkesbury and its residents and a strong commitment to
making Tewkesbury the best place it can be for the whole community. The Barnwood Trust will be providing ongoing
support and training for this post including resources around the ABCD (asset based community development)
approach and building welcoming communities. Candidates need to be available to attend the majority of the initial
(highly enjoyable) training days on Monday 22 July, Monday 29 July, Tuesday 6 August, Thursday 16 August and
Monday 19 August. Further support for the successful builder will come in the form of a sponsorship group (that will
be formed from the community to support activity), “You’re welcome” training provided by The Barnwood Trust, and
links with other learning sites across the county who are hosting community builders.
We aspire to be an outward looking, innovative and inclusive centre for the arts, offering a diverse creative
experience of the highest quality for our communities
The Roses is a busy 374 seat live theatre and independent cinema, presenting more than 180 live performances, 320
film screenings, and a growing programme of live screenings each year, to which annual admissions are around
80,000. The Roses also has a renowned Take Part programme which delivered approximately 10,000 participant
sessions last year.
The live programme encompasses a wide range of touring professional music, drama, children’s theatre, dance, opera,
ballet and comedy, and also offers opportunities for amateur and community performances. The dance programme
in particular presents leading dynamic UK companies whilst the home-produced professional family pantomime is an
annual highlight.
The Take Part department delivers an ever growing range of youth, outreach, education and community projects.
These include five weekly youth theatre groups, three weekly dance groups, arts workshops in every school holiday,
programmes for schools and a range of work targeted to disadvantaged and disaffected young people.
The work also has a particular focus on mental health issues and we have run a very successful arts and health project
Art Lift in recent years working with patients referred from surgeries throughout Tewkesbury. The Roses has
developed a distinct brand of innovative work in communities and works with statutory and non statutory
organisations to deliver social agendas, such as reductions in school exclusions, healthier communities, a reduction in
crime amongst teenagers. We have also focussed on work with families affected by domestic abuse and recently led
on a county wide project working with arts organisations across Gloucestershire. We regard the Take Part work as
every bit important as the programme on stage.
The prestigious programme of the best of British and International film makes the Roses the most important
independent film theatre in the region. Recent grant awards from South West Screen have allowed the development
of regular film forums and a programme of visiting guest speakers and directors. The Roses has just produced its
second commissioned archive film, looking at Gloucestershire communities past and present.
The Roses has also introduced regular live screenings of arts events from all over the world. The recent programme
has included live broadcasts of opera from The Met New York, a range of plays from the National Theatre and
screenings from art exhibitions from around the world. The screenings are very popular offering our audiences a
chance to experience world class arts events at a fraction of the price and have attracted significant new audiences.
Thus the Roses is an important regional arts centre for performing arts and film. It draws audience from across a wide
region: from the south side of Birmingham to the north side of Bristol down the spine of the M5, including the
Cotswolds, the Forest of Dean, West Herefordshire and South Worcestershire. 25% of the audience comes from
beyond the Gloucestershire postcode area.
The Roses’ Future
In a time of declining public funding, the Roses has been proactive in endeavouring to secure its future. The Roses is
an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation with secured Arts Council funding over the next few years. We are also
successful in raising funds from trusts, businesses, lottery funds and local authority commissions.
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Take Part At The Roses
The department has developed a regional reputation for its innovation, excellence and inclusion. As well as delivering
important core work such as holiday workshops, managing 5 youth theatres and 3 dance groups, the department runs
a number of projects at any one time that work with a wide range of partners delivering social agendas. The
department attracts funding and investment from a wide range of sources including a recent award from Reaching
Communities for a three year programme of work. Last year the theatre won a commission from Gloucestershire
County Council to deliver a programme around domestic abuse throughout the county.
The department is also instrumental in developing the Roses’ artistic policy and works with artists and practitioners on
projects, some of which involve commissioning new work. The department engages with a huge variety of partners,
partnerships, statutory, non statutory organisations, the VCS sector to name but a few and is a lynchpin in
engagement with our communities.
The Organisation
The Roses Theatre Trust is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. Responsibility for governance
rests with the Board (currently 8 Trustees). The Theatre Director is the chief executive responsible to the Board for
the artistic programme, the financial outcomes, and the management of the organisation.
The Roses employs 25-30 people on a regular basis. Many are permanent part-time. Our staff play an important role
as a successful and committed team, within which personal development is encouraged and from whom input on all
aspects of the theatre is valued.
We would not be able to maintain the high standards of customer care for which we are renowned without our
cherished volunteers, a group of over 80 people of all ages who give up their time to steward all performances, help
with Take Part activities, fundraise and generally make a visit to the Roses a smooth and enjoyable one.
The Roses is delighted to have been successful in gaining National Portfolio funding from the Arts Council England,
with an increase in funding of just over 40%. There is financial support and a close working relationship with
Tewkesbury Borough Council. The Roses is a lead member of Create Gloucestershire, the county wide arts consortium
which receives funds from Gloucestershire County Council
We pride ourselves on a friendly welcome to public and artists alike. There is a strong culture of customer care,
coupled with a pro-active selling approach. Although the theatre receives a good level of public funding, it must earn
75% of its turnover in sales. The Roses has become highly regarded throughout a wide region for the diversity and
quality of the programme, and for a happy atmosphere enjoyed by staff, artists and audience.
Tewkesbury
Tewkesbury is a growing market town at the junction of the rivers Avon & Severn. It has strong medieval links as the
site of the decisive battle of the Wars of the Roses and with its lovely Abbey. Though very attractive in its setting,
historic buildings and lanes, it has not become a tourist magnet and remains a down to earth community. It is
surrounded by glorious countryside and, situated just off the M5, is easily accessible to a wide region, including rural
areas such as the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean as well as the urban areas of Birmingham and Bristol.
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Please take any and all opportunities to research and discover why this job may be perfect for you.
Key Tasks And Responsibilities
 Identifying ‘Connectors’ across the community, and providing the opportunity for them to come together regularly
to exchange learning and map community assets
 Identify local organisations and residents in the community who want to adopt a strengths based approach to
building hospitable and inclusive communities. Use these connections to encourage collaboration between
organisations and residents. NB Already identified will be the support of three user led art groups who already
exist and meet weekly at The Roses and have come through the Art Lift programme
 Co-ordinate the Sponsorship Group, who can provide support and guidance to the Community Builder. This group
should also nurture the strengths based approach through the community.
 Connect communities with opportunities and resources in the local area and available through the You’re
Welcome strategy and its partners, such as Barnwood Trust’s grants programme.
 Connect communities with local time banking programmes to foster reciprocal relationships within the
community.
 Liaise with other Learning Sites and You’re Welcome team to share learning and key findings.
 Liaise with the You’re Welcome team regarding evaluation and research, and communications to ensure local
stories from the learning site are being shared.
Community Development
 Identifying community building themes
 Facilitate the development of appropriate citizen led action in relation to community building themes
 Mediation between individuals and groups.
Training & Development
 To provide training to community based groups and individuals as appropriate; based on the desires and interests
of the community.
 Development and evaluation of community based programmes and resources resulting from the engagement of
the You’re Welcome team.
 Participate in professional development opportunities, including mentoring and training
Project Management
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Management of individuals and volunteers as appropriate
Preparation of reports as agreed
Liaising with interested groups and individuals
Planning, attending and co-ordinating events
Policies & Procedures
This role should be conducted in accordance with the values of the Roses theatre. All staff are expected to work in
accordance with the Roses Theatre policies. All staff are expected to take reasonable care for their own health and
safety, and that of other people who may be affected by their acts or omissions, to comply with all health and safety
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legislation. This job description is not exhaustive. From time to time other reasonable responsibilities and activities
may be added, or duties modified, as determined by the employer.
Please send your most recent CV and a covering letter no longer than 3 pages of A4 stating:
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Why you think you would be good for this role and how you meet our specification?
What is your experience of “community building?”?
What is your experience of working with/helping people with dementia, disability and mental health problems?
What is your understanding of asset based community development?
Deadline:
Interviews:
Friday 19 July at 5pm
Tuesday 23 July
Applications to be sent online to: takepart@rosestheatre.org
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Further information: Barnwood Trust “You’re Welcome” programme
Barnwood Trust: You’re Welcome 2011 - 2021
The development of You’re Welcome (formerly called Unlocking Opportunities) was informed by an extensive
consultation exercise, during which people with disabilities and mental health challenges across the county shared
their views, experiences and aspirations. We heard how many people would feel so much better if they had
something interesting to do, people to share things with and a place to live that feels good, free from stigma and
discrimination. It is in this context that Barnwood Trust identified its key strategic goals for the coming decade.
Over this ten year investment period, Barnwood Trust will work alongside other organisations and individuals in the
county in support of its three goals: developing people; developing voices; and developing community spaces. It is
envisaged that this approach will deliver greater opportunities for meaningful activities and social engagement; better
connected, appropriate services; the development of more appropriate accommodation across the county; and a
greater number of accessible public spaces, where people can come together to pursue common interests in a truly
inclusive and hospitable environment. Through its engagement and influencing work, the Trust also expects to see
more businesses and community groups being welcoming to people with disabilities and mental health challenges, in
a manner which is genuine and meaningful.
Barnwood Trust recognises the importance of community development in bringing about durable change for people
with disabilities and mental health challenges. The Trust has therefore embarked on a major community-building
initiative in Gloucestershire, with the aim of fostering more inclusive, vibrant communities across Gloucestershire;
communities in which everyone can feel a part, join in, and take care of each other. Our work is expected to
encourage people to recognise their own abilities to make a difference in the places where they live and work, and
build positive relationships in their community. We believe that it is in doing things together that confidence is built
and opportunities emerge; and that in doing things together, barriers are broken down and unhelpful stereotypes are
challenged.
The Trust is currently working with 8 communities – ‘learning sites’ - across Gloucestershire, each with a unique
identity and character. Each area is being supported to use strengths based approaches to community development.
These include asset based community development, community animation, time banking and storytelling. These
approaches encourage local people to recognise their own abilities and strengths to make a difference in the places
where they live and work, and make positive connections with their neighbours. Barnwood Trust is supporting these
communities by providing advice, practical support and small amounts of money so that people can come together to
do what they enjoy, work on what they care about, share their skills and strengths, and build connections in their
communities. We also offer specialist support to build the confidence of community members who might otherwise be
isolated, and bring organisations together to consider how they too can support people to do these things.
It is envisaged that these combined approaches will contribute positively to individual and community well-being, so
the places where we live and work are more resilient and equipped to welcome those who are living on the margins
of their communities.”
County and District Council officers are involved in supporting the management of this post, the ultimate aim is to
ensure that all local organisations, statutory and voluntary, with a similar aim of improving the lot of the population of
Tewkesbury, particularly to ensure the inclusion of those who may be disadvantaged by reason of mental ill health,
isolation, or disability of any description.
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