Interested in Volunteering?

As Core Arts expands so does our need for volunteers.

We currently have a highly successful volunteer program for those who share Core Arts mission and values. We welcome enthusiastic individuals who are eager to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for our members. 

  • Work directly with members, often working in a group setting or providing 1:1 support in creative activities and creative work planning
  • Motivate and assist members in their projects
  • Bring technical and practical assistance to the workshop sessions
  • Be punctual, committed and professional in all aspects of work
  • Maintain a positive and supportive work environment for both members and teachers

Our volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds, from the local community to overseas. Many are already part of the art community and some have experienced mental health issues first hand. Please note that background experience in art or a related field of interest is required.

Volunteering at Core Arts is an excellent opportunity for those who are interested in accessing our services but who may not meet our membership criteria.
Volunteers can gain work experience in a particular environment of interest, develop their own skills in tutoring, administration, teaching and reception
Volunteers may also get the chance to participate in external events, perform at gigs, exhibit artwork, and strengthen their own art skills.

Members NOTE: This option is for existing Core Arts members interested in volunteering.

Members who would like to develop existing skills and experience work like activity and training; including contributing to the running of Core Arts through the members Involvement Scheme and Core Council are encouraged to join.
Applicants interested in this option and who fit the criteria should contact:
Emily Cubitt, Enrolment Membership Manager – send Emily an email
Music (Instruments, Singing & Songwriting)
Front-of-House
Multimedia/ICT
Art (Drawing, Painting)
Ceramics
Printmaking
Textiles
Sports

See our timetable for list of courses

Current vacancies

Paid positions

Head of Creative Arts & Health Services

Salary: £45,000 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week (Monday–Friday, 9.30am–5.30pm with occasional evenings and weekends)
Contract: Full-time, Fixed Term (1 Year, renewable) (Office based)
Responsible to: CEO / Deputy CEO

Job Purpose

Core Arts is an innovative Mental Health Charity and Creative Education provider delivering pioneering Arts in Health programmes in London.

This senior leadership role provides strategic and operational oversight across creative education, personalised support, wellbeing and commissioned service delivery. The postholder will lead the development and delivery of high-quality, inclusive and outcomes-focused programmes which improve mental health, wellbeing and educational participation.

The role combines educational leadership with recovery-focused and personalised approaches, ensuring students can access meaningful creative learning opportunities that support confidence, progression, independence and improved quality of life.

Working across visual arts, music, multimedia, horticulture and sport, the postholder will ensure that services align with Arts in Health principles, NHS and Local Authority priorities, and contribute to reducing health inequalities through creative approaches.

The role will support the continued development of Core Arts as a recognised centre of excellence in Creative Education and Arts in Health.

Strategic Leadership & Service Development

  • Develop innovative programmes aligned to NHS priorities including prevention, early intervention, personalised care and community-based support.
  • Ensure services remain responsive to emerging educational, health and social care agendas.
  • Support organisational growth, sustainability and service expansion.
  • Lead service planning and contribute to organisational strategy and business development.
  • Drive continuous improvement through evaluation and innovation.
  • Develop opportunities for integrated working across education, health and voluntary sector partnerships.

Creative Education & Student Experience

  • Lead an outstanding student-centred creative education programme focused on participation, achievement and progression.
  • Ensure students receive personalised learning pathways with clear goals and outcomes.
  • Support progression into volunteering, employment, accredited learning and community opportunities.
  • Support exhibitions, performances, events and public-facing events.
  • Embed co-production and student voice throughout programme design and evaluation.
  • Develop opportunities for students to gain confidence, leadership and independence.
  • Monitor engagement, attendance and progression data to support continuous improvement.

Arts in Health, Wellbeing & Recovery

  • Embed Arts in Health principles across all areas of programme delivery.
  • Ensure students are supported to improve wellbeing through meaningful creative engagement.
  • Work collaboratively with clinical teams, community mental health services and external partners.
  • Maintain safeguarding, duty of care and effective risk management procedures.
  • Support early intervention approaches and sustained student engagement.
  • Promote social inclusion and reduce isolation through participation in creative learning.
  • Develop pathways which support emotional wellbeing, confidence and resilience.
  • Ensure personalised support planning remains central to service delivery.

Commissioned Delivery, Quality Assurance & Outcomes

  • Lead successful delivery of commissioned services and contractual KPIs.
  • Ensure robust monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems are maintained.
  • Demonstrate educational, wellbeing and social value outcomes through evidence and impact reporting.
  • Ensure accurate data collection and performance monitoring.
  • Support commissioner reporting and demonstrate measurable impact.
  • Develop case studies and outcome frameworks which evidence the value of Arts in Health.
  • Ensure compliance with safeguarding, GDPR and organisational governance requirements.
  • Maintain oversight of quality assurance and continuous improvement processes.
  • Support service audits and implementation of recommendations.

NHS Partnerships, Personalised Care & Community Integration

  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with NHS commissioners, Integrated Care Boards, Local Authorities and community partners.
    • Support approaches aligned with personalised care and Personal Health Budgets.
    • Promote creative approaches which contribute to prevention and reduce demand on statutory services.
    • Contribute to integrated pathways supporting community mental health and social prescribing.
    • Support collaborative planning with borough and health partners.
    • Strengthen referral routes and increase access for underrepresented communities.
    • Represent Core Arts at regional networks, conferences and partnership meetings.
    • Promote the role of creativity and education within wider health and wellbeing systems.

Leadership, Workforce & Organisational Development

  • Provide, alongside the senior management team, leadership, supervision and support to managers, tutors, volunteers and interns.
    • Ensure staff are equipped to deliver inclusive, high-quality learning experiences.
    • Support innovation and collaborative working.
    • Contribute to tender development and service growth opportunities.
    • Champion organisational values and positive workplace culture.
    • Promote equality, diversity and inclusion across all areas of work.

Person Specification

Experience (Essential)

  • Minimum five years’ experience in senior leadership or service management.
  • Experience within mental health, Arts in Health, creative education or community services.
  • Experience of delivering commissioned services and contract management.
  • Experience of partnership working across health, education or voluntary sectors.
  • Experience of leading teams.
  • Experience of monitoring outcomes and demonstrating impact.

Knowledge & Understanding

  • Arts in Health and recovery-focused practice.
  • Creative education and adult learning principles.
  • Mental health and wellbeing frameworks.
  • Safeguarding.
  • Personalised care approaches.
  • Outcome measurement, quality assurance and continuous improvement.

Skills & Attributes

  • Excellent leadership and communication skills.
  • Strong financial and numeric acumen.
  • Strategic thinking with strong operational delivery.
  • Excellent partnership and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Strong organisational and analytical capability.
  • Commitment to creativity, inclusion and social impact.

How to Apply

Core Arts are committed to finding the right person for this role.

NOTE: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and suitable candidates invited to interview as they are received, so early applications are encouraged.

* The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

To apply, please send a full CV and covering letter explaining how your experience meets the job description to:

Giuliana Molinari, Deputy CEO
gmolinari@corearts.co.uk

We can only accept applications that include both a CV and covering letter. You must also be eligible to work in the UK.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role before applying, please email Giuliana to arrange an informal chat.

Volunteer positions

Cycling Volunteer

Thursdays:
11.15am to 12.30pm – Beginners cycling assistant

Key responsibilities

  • To participate, assist and reinforce teaching points of sport session/exercise class under the instruction of the lead tutor, creating a community atmosphere.
  • To respond flexibly to each member’s needs and help them achieve success towards their creative work plans and outlined goals, which they have set out on induction. This may be providing on-to-one support for those who have additional needs.
  • Learn how to facilitate and lead sections of a class to more able or less able attendees, ensuring we are always inclusive to members individual needs under guidance from the tutor.
  • To provide the lead tutor with feedback and offer insight to developing and improving services through own experience and ideas, as well as through interaction with members.
  • Be punctual, committed and professional in all aspects of work.

Skills and Ability

  • Some experience of riding a bicycle and an ambition to develop skills as a rider, instructor and role-model.
  • An ability to work creatively and flexibly with vulnerable people.

General Duties

  • To ensure basic health and safety practices are adhered to.
  • To be punctual, committed and professional in all aspects of the work.
  • To work within the Equal Opportunities Framework observed at Core Arts.
  • To follow Core Arts Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policies and Procedures.

Additional Benefits

  • £6 per session paid expenses (please provide receipts for travel and food).
  • Core Arts Members can be part of the Membership Exchange Programme.
  • Training and development opportunities are also available.
  • The chance to expand your cycling skills.

How to apply

Please download our application form and send it with your CV and cover letter to Giuliana Molinari at mail@corearts.co.uk expressing why you are interested in this role and what experience you have in relation to the abilities, responsibilities and skills required.
If you have any questions, please call 020 8510 9990.

Logic Music Volunteer

Tuesdays
10:30am to 12:20pm

Key responsibilities

  • To participate, assist, and learn to facilitate music rehearsals and recording sessions in the music studio.
  • To assist in the recording of music produced by members.
  • To respond flexibly to each member’s needs and help them achieve their creative music potential at Core by using the resources available.
  • To offer one-on-one music lessons if and when appropriate, enabling members to learn new skills and apply them in jam sessions with support.
  • To learn how to facilitate and write Creative Work Plans with members (you will be trained to do this).
  • To keep the music studio and general music area tidy and free of clutter, and in doing so role model good practice for members.
  • To contribute to and attend music department meetings, Core Council and de-brief meetings when at Core Arts.

Skills and Ability

  • Highly skilled in playing a variety of styles in percussion instruments, preferably drums, to the standard of a professional musician (• applies to some roles only).
  • Ability to play the guitar (• applies to some roles only).
  • A willingness to pitch in and help when asked.
  • An ability to work creatively and flexibly with vulnerable people.

Hours/days

  • To volunteer a minimum of 3 hours from 11am-2pm, or until 5pm if available on Fridays each week.
  • Time commitment – minimum 3 months, ideally 6 months to 1 year.
  • Willing to work extra shifts when requested by staff, if available.
  • Music volunteers can be paid to cover Music Tutors if they are registered as self-employed.

General Duties

  • To ensure basic health and safety practices are adhered to.
  • To be punctual, committed and professional in all aspects of the work.
  • To work within the Equal Opportunities Framework observed at Core Arts.
  • To follow Core Arts Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policies and Procedures.

Additional Benefits

  • £6 per session paid expenses (please provide receipts for travel and food).
  • Core Arts Members can be part of the Membership Exchange Programme.
  • Training and development opportunities are also available.

How to apply

Please download our application form and send it with your CV and cover letter to Giuliana Molinari at mail@corearts.co.uk expressing why you are interested in this role and what experience you have in relation to the abilities, responsibilities and skills required.
If you have any questions, please call 020 8510 9990.