Racial Justice Engagement Enabler (17.5 hours per week)

Introduction

Fixed term – 3 years

Hours: 0.5 FTE –The working hours are 17.5 hours (2.5 days per week).

Salary: £17803 (£35606 FTE).

Location: Hybrid – travel across the Diocese of Leeds required

Start date: As soon as possible

PLEASE DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS ROLE VIA PATHWAYS

To apply or express your interest or request an application pack, please contact: team@wellspringstogether.org.uk

Background

In April 2024, the Diocese of Leeds received significant funding to implement a multiyear Racial Justice Programme as part of the Church of England’s response to From Lament to Action – the Archbishops’ Anti-Racism Task Force report. This programme is structured across three key strands:

• Advancing Ministry
• Advancing Learning
• Advancing Engagement

Wellsprings Together, a trusted delivery partner of the Diocese of Leeds, has been commissioned to lead key elements of the Advancing Engagement workstream, which aims to equip churches, schools, and communities to build stronger, more inclusive, anti-racist local relationships.

This role will lead and support grassroots engagement, co-create safe spaces for storytelling and learning, and expand opportunities for GMH/UKME communities to thrive in civic and church life.

Purpose of the Role

The Racial Justice Engagement Enabler will play a key role in:

• Equipping parishes and local churches to engage confidently and faithfully with anti-racism and intercultural mission
• Delivering and developing community engagement projects that build understanding, reduce prejudice and promote racial justice
• Supporting partnerships that amplify the voices, participation and leadership of Global Majority Heritage (GMH) and UK Minority Ethnic (UKME) communities in the life of the Church and wider society

Key Responsibilities

Parish and Community Engagement

• Work alongside parishes, deaneries and local church leaders to develop anti-racist, locally rooted initiatives
• Support the rollout and contextual implementation of the Diocese’s Anti-Racism Toolkit
• Deliver or coordinate anti-racism awareness training and dialogue-based learning events for congregations, lay leaders, and youth groups

Project Delivery and Facilitation

Contribute to, co-lead or facilitate a range of creative and strategic engagement projects, including:

• Real People Honest Talk: Create and host safe spaces for intergenerational, intercultural dialogue, especially involving young people and local churches
• Growing Diverse Governance: Expand Wellsprings Together’s “Women in Governance” model to include GMH/UKME men and women, equipping them to serve on school governing bodies
• Creative Arts Engagement Project: Use arts-based approaches (e.g. music, weaving, photography, poetry) to explore themes of identity, racism and belonging in partnership with Leeds Church Institute and Touchstone Bradford

Partnership Working

Collaborate with diocesan and regional partners including:

• Diocesan Racial Justice Enabler
• Leeds Church Institute Racial Justice Lead
• GMH/UKME Reference Group
• Diocesan Education Team
• Varying Diocesan Teams
• Interfaith, statutory and community-based organisations
• Support the “Curry Houses and Dales Farmers” initiative and other intersectional or food justice engagement projects as appropriate

Monitoring, Learning and Reflective Practice

•  Contribute to the AARP Programme Board’s learning and evaluation work
•  Share reflections and case studies that help shape diocesan policy and learning
• Work with the Wellsprings Together Chief Officer and AARP Programme Lead to ensure project accountability, impact and adaptive development

To apply or to express your interest or request an application pack, please contact: team@wellspringstogether.org.uk 

Closing date: 20th August 2025, 12.00pm, 

Interviews: 11th September 2025 (morning)