Project Type: Opportunity

We are pleased to announce an exciting workshop opportunity with Kerry Kyriacos Michael, run in conjunction with Southampton Forward and MAST Mayflower Studios

Who is it for?

We are looking for local theatre producers, directors, writers, practitioners and storytellers to take part in a two-day workshop delivered by Olivier Award-winning Theatre Director Kerry Kyriacos Michael.

What is it about?

Kerry was Artistic Director at The Theatre Royal, Stratford East for 13 years, which has had one of the most pioneering programmes of work in developing audiences within the community. The workshop will focus on community engagement, co-creation, Verbatim theatre, and audience reach to explore Kerry Kyriacos Michael’s model of Home Theatre, which has run in South Africa, Brazil, Ireland and London.

The workshop will be an invaluable professional development experience for any artists or practitioners who already work with, or aspire to work on, community projects, co-creation and developing audiences as part of their working ethos.  The work is aimed at local theatre practitioners who are keen to learn more and share knowledge about working collaboratively with communities.

How much will it cost?

The 2-day workshop is free for all, with light lunch, tea and coffee provided.

Workshop dates:	Saturday 27th (10am – 6pm) & Sunday 28th April (10am – 4pm)
Location:	MAST Studio 2, Mast Mayflower Studios 142, 144 Above Bar St, Southampton, SO14 7DU
Saturday 27th	Ethics and values, what makes a story? Sharing practices, sharing stories
Sunday 28th	Methodology and verbatim theatre
Deadline for submissions:	By 23:59 on Wednesday 20th March

Expression of Interest form/video or voice note:

Please spend a few minutes to either fill in this form or alternatively you can send a video or voice recording with your answers by We Transfer to info@sfbranding.local

Submit expression of interest

What happens next?

We will let you know if you have a space on the workshop by Thursday 28^th March. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Annie Sanger-Davies by email: anniesd@sfbranding.local

For any more information, help or guidance on applying get in touch and we will be happy to help.

We are looking for a Project Assistant to work with us on a part-time basis to support the delivery of an EDI programme

Role:	EDI Project Assistant
Location:	A mix of remote working and office in Southampton
Fee:	£2,400 inclusive of VAT (estimated 14 days)
Status:	Freelance temporary contract with Southampton Forward
Reporting to:	Programme Manager
Contract duration:	February – June 2024*  (*Immediate start**)

Background

Southampton Forward is working with Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) consultant Amanda Parker to develop a project that seeks to shape a city-wide approach to EDI. 

• Keeping EDI at the forefront of our organisations in challenging climates: organisations in Southampton are more equipped to make stronger commitments to EDI.  
• A community of support within the cohort in order to share best practice in inclusive practices and provide space to support challenging conversations. 
• There is an increased awareness of EDI across the city.  

The Role

We are seeking a Project Coordinator to deliver admin support as well as hands-on support during the workshops. 

Project Management	Supporting the delivery of five EDI workshops and one sharing event.
	Responsible for resources and logistics
	Provide support to Southampton Forward Programme Team working collaboratively with EDI consultant
	Work with Southampton Forward Programme Team to support evaluation.
Preparation for each workshop	Arranging rooms, refreshments with John Hansard Gallery, booking lunch
	Arrange for print-outs and resources for the meeting as appropriate.
	Communication system
	Agendas for monthly Project team meetings
	Detailed event plan & R&R for each session
	Support the team in compiling all technical resources, preparing presentations, sourcing audio and video content as guided by the EDI consultant
In workshops	Meet and greet
	Take notes and actions
	Run all the tech in meetings including presentations, Slido, audio and visual resources during meeting
Post workshops	Construct monthly mailouts and bulletins to participants using agreed copy, in collaboration with Southampton Forward Marketing team
	Taking actions from feedback from cohort after each workshop and tracking activity in between workshops and feeding into evaluation
	Set up project team meetings compiling agenda and organising dates etc.

Remuneration and working arrangments	The contractor will be responsible for their own pay, tax, National Insurance and pension contribution
	The contractor will be expected to provide their own IT equipment to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the contract, including access to a computer/laptop, the internet and phone.
	Total fee of £2,400 inclusive of VAT (estimated 14 days work)

Who are we looking for?

We are looking with someone with the desired following skills and experience, available to start as soon as possible in February 2024

Demonstrable experience of coordinator skills and project management. Working with diverse communities. Able to work with their own initiative. Able to complete administrative tasks. Knowledge of Southampton desirable. Knowledge/awareness of EDI training and approaches desirable.

How can I apply?

To apply for this opportunity please send us a copy of your CV and a covering letter of no more than 4 sides of A4 outlining your suitability for this role and experience. Please include the contact details of two references.

You may want to include examples from previous projects that you have been involved with, making it clear what your role was on those projects. You may also wish to include links to websites or YouTube videos within your examples.

You can submit this to us in writing or you can submit a video entry to info@sfbranding.local by Monday 19^th February.  If you wish to submit a video entry please send your file in MP4 format using a free file transfer service such as WeTransfer.

If you would like to speak to one of the team before applying please email info@sfbranding.local and we will get back to you as quickly as possible to arrange.

Interviews will be held on Thursday 22^nd February 2024 either in person or online.

Production Assistant needed to support with two club nights at Engine Rooms Southampton

Role:	Production Assistant
Location:	Engine Rooms Southampton
Fee:	£200/£100 fixed fee each night
Status:	Freelance contract with Southampton Forward
Reporting to:	Programme Manager
Contract duration:	Friday 8th and Saturday 9th March, 9.30pm – 4.30am on both nights

We’re seeking a dynamic and organised Production Assistant to join us on the 8th and 9th March at Engine Rooms. As a Southampton Forward representative at the event, you’ll play a crucial role in ensuring everything runs seamlessly. Gain valuable event experience through liasing with the venue and event suppliers and contractors.

If you’re passionate about events, have a keen eye for detail and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we want to hear from you!

Responsibilities

• Liaise with Venue, Promoter, and Photographer
• Ensure smooth coordination with all stakeholders
• Be briefed by the team prior to the event and submit written event report (template provided).

Requirements

• Must be 21 years old
• Availability on both event dates
• Excellent communication and organisational skills

How can I apply?

Email your CV to info@sfbranding.local

Role Summary

We are seeking 2-3 people to join our Southampton Forward Board of Trustees. This pivotal role within the organisation comes at a crucial juncture in our development, requiring Trustees with key skills to contribute to the strategic direction and overall success of our organisation. As we undertake our mission to use culture and creativity as catalysts for positive change in Southampton, we invite passionate and talented individuals to join our dynamic team. We are particularly keen to hear from people who are engaged with and have experience of working with Southampton’s diverse communities. We would love to hear from people with expertise in the areas of digital and AI, health and wellbeing, GDPR, fundraising, tourism, heritage and of course passion and enthusiasm to drive positive change in Southampton.

Purpose

Trustees have a key role in charitable organisations, with overall responsibility for the oversight of governance of the organisation. Their skills and expertise are used to help shape vision and strategy and to offer insight and support to the CEO and team.

Time Commitment

Six Trustee meetings a year, plus some time outside of the meetings completing trustee duties. Board meetings are usually held six times a year usually at 4pm onwards either in Southampton or remotely via Microsoft Teams.

Remuneration

A trustee position at Southampton Forward is a volunteer role. It is unpaid but reasonable expenses can be claimed where appropriate.

Objective

Under charity law, the Board of Trustees holds the ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of Southampton Forward, and ensuring that it is sustainable, well run and delivering the charitable outcomes for which it has been set up. This document seeks to define the key responsibilities of the trustees and provide clarity on the personal skills and experience required to successfully fulfil the role.

Benefits of being a Trustee

We are offering the opportunity to join a professional and welcoming Board of Trustees, where your time, knowledge and experience will be valued. The remit of the charity across culture, tourism, festival and events means that there is an opportunity to contribute to Southampton’s growth.

In addition to this you will be at the heart of Southampton Forward helping us develop, grow and achieve our full potential.

We are also pleased to offer invitations to all our events and access to governance training.

Principal responsibilities:

As a Trustee, you will bring your experience to help guide the decision-making of our charity, working closely with the other members of our Board of Trustees (Meet Southampton Forward’s Team & Trustees) to safeguard Southampton Forward’s sustainability and future.

The duties of a trustee are as follows:

• Ensure that the organisation pursues its stated charitable objects as defined in the Articles of Association, by establishing a clear vision, set of values and strategy, and ensuring that there is a common understanding of these by trustees, staff and associated personnel.
• Ensure that operational plans and budgets support the vision and strategy.
• Ensure that the views of stakeholders are regularly sought and considered.
• Ensure there is regular review of the external environment for changes that might affect the organisation (political, financial, demographic, competitive, partnerships, alliances).
• Ensure that the organisation complies with the Articles of Association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• Ensure that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects.
• Ensure that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets.
• Uphold the good name and values of the organisation.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place.
• Ensure the financial stability of the organisation.
• Protect and manage the property of the organisation and ensure the proper investment of its funds.
• Give serious consideration to procuring external professional advice on any matter that presents a material risk to the charity that is beyond the established risk management process, or where the trustees could be perceived to be in breach of their duties.
• Ensure that the organisation acts in accordance with employment law and exercises a duty of care to its employees.
• Ensure that the major risks to the organisation are regularly identified and reviewed and that systems are in place to mitigate or minimise these risks.
• Ensure that the organisation has a governance structure that is appropriate to a charity of its size/complexity, stage of development, and its charitable objects, and reflects the diversity o its stakeholders.
• Ensure that the board regularly reviews the governance structure and its own performance against an agreed programme.
• Ensure that the board regularly reviews its own training needs and creates an expectation of continuous professional development throughout the organisation.
• Ensure that trustees have an agreed code of conduct and comply with it, and that there are mechanisms for the removal of trustees who do not abide by the principles stated therein.

In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have in order to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Please do not be put off applying if you do not meet all the requirements listed below, we are keen to hear from everyone interested in this role.

We are particularly interested in hearing from people with experience in one or more of the following: Community Engagement, Corporate Social Responsibility, Digital and AI,  Fundraising, GDPR, Heritage, Health & Wellbeing or Tourism.

Person Specification:

• Enthusiasm for and commitment to the Southampton Forward’s mission and vision.
• Sound judgement, an understanding of the need to maintain objectivity and an ability to set and maintain professional boundaries.
• Clearly demonstrate a commitment to Equality, Diversoty and Inclusion and the values of Southampton Forward.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, resulting in good contacts with relevant stakeholder groups and ability to foster additional relationships with partners, stakeholders, funders and other industry figures.
• Ability to interpret complex information, comprehend issues and assess risks relating to the operation of Southampton Forward as an organisation.
• Understanding the public and political context and operating environment of a cultural and creative industry organisation and demonstrate the ability to think strategically and entrepreneurially within it.
• Good understanding of governance issues.
• Knowledge of how the not-for-profit and/or creative industries sector / arts and cultural organisations operate.
• Possesses an understanding of good charity governance, underpinned by the requiremetns of the Charity Commission and the Seven Principles of Public Life (the “the Nolan principles”)

Application Process:

To apply, please email your CV and a covering letter detailing why you are interested in the role, what you feel you can bring to the role and how you meet the Person Specification, to our Finance Manager Hannah Garriock hannahg@sfbranding.local  

Applications should be received by midnight Wednesday 24^th January 2024.

A recruitment panel comprising of four Board Members will review all applicants.  Shortlisted candidates will be notified by 1^st February 2024.

First interviews are scheduled to be held in person 14^th & 15^th February 2024 and second interviews are scheduled in person on the 19^th & 20^th February 2024.

Southampton Forward is committed to equality of opportunity, values diversity supports, and encourages applications from people in under-represented groups. We are looking for people from a wide range of backgrounds who will bring a fresh perspective to the Board, and having reviewed existing Trustee’s diversity, skills, and experience, Southampton Forward are keen for the Board to reflect the diversity of the communities that they work with.

To ensure we are working to reduce barriers for people applying, we can offer alternatives to the process outlined above. If you would like to discuss the application process or the Trustee role in any more detail, in the first instance please contact our Finance Manager Hannah Garriock via email: hannahg@sfbranding.local

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Some of the headlines from the session were:

• Participants shared what they felt about EDI, what concerns and challenges people had with EDI in their workplace, and what they’d like to see in five years’ time.
• The group followed an exercise which shaped what we need to identify we’re going to do and who we need help from, what it would take to build it, and how we would review whether it was successful or not.
• Participants explored the roles that they need around them to help overcome challenges, from information roles to power roles and development roles.
• The group voted on some of the collective change suggestions from the previous session highlighting the most popular suggestion of ‘getting out a public message about why inclusivity is a positive thing”.
• Particpants ‘buddied up’ to continue working on their Personal Boardroom networks and how they could collectively work together to lean into the networks they had, identify possible resources and see what capacity there was in the room.