Opportunities

Open Arms Kington (OAK) was formed in January 2021 by a group of local people, concerned about the issues of remoteness, rurality and isolation in our small market town on the Welsh Marches.

With the help of a grant from the Community Ownership Fund, in April 2023, OAK purchased the Oxford Arms - a dilapidated Grade II listed 16th century coaching inn in Kington, North Herefordshire; to be owned and run for and by the community. Currently the inside of the building is closed to the public due to fire and electrical safety issues and lack of an accessible WC. Making the building safe and accessible as soon as feasible is central to our plans. We have recently been awarded a development grant of £92,496 from the National Lottery Heritage Board to help progress our plans towards a full delivery phase application in November 2025 for an expected grant request of £1.13 million.

Our aims once work is complete are:

· to conserve a unique and treasured landmark heritage building and public house as an asset for the community;

· to maintain and grow it as a popular hostelry;

· to develop it into the community space that Kington lacks but sorely needs;

· to offer a welcoming and vibrant meeting and gathering place in the heart of the community where a wide-range of regular, seasonal and one-off activities and services can be supported.

We are a team of volunteers and this will be one of only two paid positions. Your role will be to support the OAK board and the restoration project steering group in preparing for the delivery of the Oxford Arms redevelopment, helping us to realise The Oxford Arm’s potential as a resource and catalyst for positive social and economic change.

Roles and Responsibilities:

· Providing Administrative support to the OAK team and project steering group

· Help develop and implement a funding strategy and timeline

· Contribute to grant applications, progress reports, and post-completion activities such as project evaluations and promoting the project.

· Assist with the coordination and administration of our community engagement activities including ensuring good communications and social media engagement.

· Work with other team members on marketing and communications.

With advice, guidance and support from the Plunkett Foundation, support the development and launch of a Community Share offer.

This role is made possible by a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and is funded until end October 2025. Continuation beyond that date will be dependent on new funding being secured. It is a freelance role which we envisage needing between one and two days work a week to be worked flexibly including some evening and weekends as required.

Further details and job description from oak.directors@gmail.com Closing date 24th February

Closing date for applications 5pm on 24th February 2025