People with learning disabilities have as much of a right to go out to socialise, party and have a good night out as the rest of us. Yet there are longstanding and pervasive boundaries that stop this from happening. Or at least makes it far more difficult than it should be.

At Club Soda we are continually fighting these barriers to try to create an accessible and inclusive social scene in Croydon. However, there is only so much we can do without systemic change in local venues and organisations. Adjustments need to happen across the board. It should not be left to projects like ours or people with learning disabilities having to advocate for themselves.

On November 25th 2021 we invited local learning disability organisations, local venues and representatives from Croydon Council to get to the bottom of what needs to be done to shake up the status quo in Croydon’s social scene.

You can read our report here:

Club Soda is looking for someone to support the Project Manager in delivering and developing the Gig Buddies project across Croydon. There will also be an element of supporting the wider work of the charity. You will be responsible for supporting people with a learning disability and / or autism who use the Gig Buddies Croydon project.

The Project Assistant will be employed by Club Soda on a one year contract initially, with the option to extend for a further year.

The post is for 14 hours per week, the work pattern is negotiable although Mondays are essential.

The salary is £23,000 pro rata paid monthly in arrears.

You will be entitled to 11.5 days annual leave per year (includes Bank Holidays).

The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

If you would like anymore information about the role contact Cherilyn Yeates at cherilyn@gigbuddiescroydon.co.uk or on 07426 805 478.

Closing date for applications is 5pm on 21 February 2020, and interviews will be held on 2 March 2020.

Download the full Job Description and Application pack below:

Thanks to funding from Arts Council England and Youth Music, we are now looking to recruit a Project Manager to oversee all our major projects and events, including an Emerging Artists Programme, which will provide professional support and mentoring for young people with learning disabilities aged 15 to 25, helping them access opportunities to develop as musicians. Also in 2020 we will be launching a new event called SoDaDa, an inclusive clubnight and showcase for learning disability arts in Croydon, bringing together four local arts organisations that support artists with learning disabilities.

Our dream Project Manager will have good leadership skills, plenty of experience running arts projects and share our passion for social inclusion.

You will be part of a small team working alongside a Project Assistant and a Committee of adults with learning disabilities. An important part of the role is to foster and develop professional links and good quality relations with statutory, and other agencies and the community at large. This will include raising awareness and understanding of Club Soda within the community, and the difficulties that those with learning disabilities face.

The Project Manager will be employed by Club Soda on a one year contract initially, with the potential to extend subject to successful funding bids.

The post is for 21 hours per week, the work pattern is negotiable.

The salary is £30,500 pro rata paid monthly in arrears.

You will be entitled to 17 days annual leave per year (includes Bank Holidays).

The successful candidate will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

Closing date for applications is 5pm on 29 November. Interviews will be held on Monday 9 December 2019.

Below you will find links to download a full Job Description and an Application Form. Fill them in and send back to us at the general Club Soda email: info@clubsoda.org.uk.

Closing date for applications is 5pm on 29 November. Interviews will be held on Monday 9 December 2019.

DOWNLOADS:

Job Description and Information Pack – PM-Information-Pack-including-JD-person-spec-final

Application Form – Application-Form_Final