Job Vacancy with RCCE – Rural Housing Enabler

Full Time – 35 hours per week
Salary circa £24,000

Job Vacancy with RCCE
Rural Housing Enabler

RCCE Rural Community Council of Essex (RCCE) is a leading charity working in Essex for over 85 years. We provide assistance to people and communities throughout rural Essex to build a sustainable future.

RCCE is looking for a new Rural Housing Enabler to help rural communities in Essex provide the housing they need.

You will promote and advise on affordable rural housing, working with parish councils, registered providers and local authorities to achieve this. You will attend community events, deliver presentations at parish council meetings and undertake housing needs surveys.

You will also have the opportunity to work on other community engagement projects that include wider housing and development priorities or needs.

You will be a confident communicator, able to prioritise and problem solve and be enthusiastic about rural communities, especially in terms of affordable housing. This role will require flexibility, as it involves some out of hours working. We are particularly interested in hearing from applicants that have experience of affordable rural housing or planning/development.

Application deadline: 12 noon Wednesday 3rd June

Interviews: Wednesday 10th June

Contact: Sarah Sapsford (Community Engagement Manager) – 01376 574 330, [email protected] or www.essexrcc.org.uk.

RCCE registered charity no 1097009 Registered company no 4609624

To apply you must complete an application form and an equality monitoring form, which can be downloaded from RCCE’s website: www.essexrcc.org.uk/Working_for_us or can be provided by contacting us (see above).

For any queries relating to the posts or application process, or informal discussion please call 01376 574 330.

16th March 20158th December 2015

Abberton Rural Training Spring 2015

Both Short & Long Courses Available

abberton-rural-training Abberton Rural Training – The Rural Skills Centre for Essex has just launched new Short Courses! Ranging from one day to a few weeks, there are lots of options to choose from. For more information, or to book, contact us on 01206 738609 or through our website at: www.abbertonruraltraining.org or by email to: [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you! Take a look and just some of the courses on offer:

Short Courses

19th March (1 day course) – Make a natural bee skep

Use willow and cob to make your own strong and natural bee skep. Learn what to do next and how to start making honey.

26th March or 23rd April (1 day course) – Basic Plastering

Introduction to basic plastering techniques, tools used, background surface situation and preparation prior to plastering, along with care and maintenance of tools. Mixes of various plasters and finishes will also be covered.

16th April (1 day course) – Felt applique

Learn the art of applique using felted wool to make a small reverse applique sachet! Learning traditional needlework. All materials provided.

23rd April (1 day course) – Make a natural trellis

Use local native wood to make a robust and attractive plant support/trellis. Learn how to choose and shave your wood, then use green joins to combine it

18th June (1 day course) – Make a traditional gate

Using native wood such as chestnut, ash, and oak to make a garden gate. Learn to choose, shave and prepare the wood, using green woodworking skills.

Longer courses

17th April – 22nd May (6 weeks) and 5th June – 10th July (6 weeks) – Introduction to Basic Carpentry

This 6 week course will cover use and proper care of tools, introduction to basic joints, fixings and finishes. Uses of different timbers (hard, soft and man-made). Design and construct your own small project.

16th April – 14th May (4 weeks, no class on 07/05) and 11th June – 9th July (4 weeks, no class on 16/07) – Spinning

Learn to spin in 4 weeks – learn about the quality of fleeces and carding. Learn how to wash, card and spin natural wools. Each person works on their Individual spinning wheel, giving plenty of hands on practice.

17th April – 22nd May (6 weeks) and 5th June – 10th July (6 weeks) – Creative Textile Techniques

Learning basic sewing skills on the sewing machine and more advanced techniques, such as machine embroidery and quilting, to create contemporary textile designs.

17th April – 22nd May (6 weeks) and 5th June – 10th July (6 weeks) – Fruit & Veg for Beginners

An introduction for new allotment holders and home growers, covering what you need and how to do it. Focusing on setting up systems within your allotment or garden, seasonal planning, management and composting.

23rd April – 21st May (5 week course) – Interior Design Accessories

Using colour, historical design and textures this course is about how to adapt and redesign small interior accessories. Collage and moodboards creates a design sketchbook without the need for drawing skills.

29th October 20148th December 2015

Craft courses at Abberton

Learn a new skill

3-ladies-spinning Abberton Rural Training, a new project offering a programme of short and part time courses starting this Autumn. There are still places available! Based at Layer Water Treatment Works and around the Abberton Reservoir it is a beautiful place to study. Autumn courses include:

Spinning – Learn how to wash, card & spin natural wools. Each person works on theeir individual spinning wheel giving plenty of hands on practice. This 4 week course has already commenced (see picture) on 16th October.
Willow weaving – Learn how to make a willow basket, you will leanr a couple of differnt weaves and get ideas for progrsssing with this fun and flexible craft. Runs on Friday November 7th between 10:00 – 4:00 and costs £60 per day.
Greenwood crafts – Experience working on a green pole lathe to make a dibber and also carving utensils. All equipment provided, suiotable for novices; this is, however, quitr a physical activity. Runs on 7th November between 9:30 – 12:30 or 1:30 – 4:30 for £65, or full day, 9:30 – 4:30 for £120.
Felt applique – Learn the art of felt applique using felted wool to make a small reverse applique sachet. Learning traditional needlework, all material provided, Runs on Thursday 13th November between 10:00 – 4:00 for just £30.
Quilting – Learn how to make a 1m square patchjwork quilt – great for keeping warm in the winter, just when you need it. Suitable for beginners. Four week course starting on Friday 14th November between 10:00 – 4:00 for just £25 per week.
Origami textiles – Using recycled fabrics make origami anipmals to create a piece of art – a decorative item to treasure or even wear in your hair. Two dates for this course, Thursday 20th or 27th NOvember betwen 10:00 – 1:00 for £20.
Art classes – Adult Club – A 6 week course teaching a selection of watercolour techniques and skills. Excellent renowned local artist John Harrison shows his expertise with excellent teaching. Runs Thursdays 10:30 – 12:00 (ongoing) at £150 for all 6 weeks.
Art classes – Children’s Club – A 6 week course teaching a selection of watercolour techniques and skills suitable fro children. Run by renowned local artist John Harrison. Runs Thursdays 15:45 – 16:45 (ongoing) at £48 for all 6 weeks.

NEW – CHRISTMAS WREATHS 11th DECEMBER & CHRISTMAS CRAFTS 18th DECEMBER!

To book contact Sally on 07753 494459 or email: [email protected] or via our website: www.abbertonruraltraining.org.

29th October 20148th December 2015

Vacancy at Abberton Rural Training

ABBERTON RURAL TRAINING

PART TIME ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT VACANCY

Based at: Layer Water Treatment Works, Church Road, Layer de la Haye, Essex CO2 0EP

Hours: Monday – Wednesday 10:00 – 12:00 with an opportunity to increase the hours worked further as the project develops

Salary: Negotiable

Abberton Rural Training is a new Rural Skills training charity providing Further Education for post 16 students in Land Based Studies, and short course programmes in a variety of rural skills. A diverse range of organisations have come together to work in partnership to create and deliver Abberton Rural Training. These include Essex County Council, Colchester Borough Council, Layer Parish Council, Rural Community Council of Essex, Colchester Institute, Writtle College and Essex Wildlife Trust.

Following the commencement of our courses, we now wish to recruit a part time Administrative Assistant who will support the Project Manager and the Programme Tutors in:

maintaining student and timetable records;
recording and investigating student absence;
dealing with parent/family enquiries;
following up referrals;
booking visits;
liaising with feeder schools and other community bodies;
taking minutes for meetings;
updating finance records;
purchasing consumables and other items relevant to the course;
handling the post; and
dealing with other administrative requirements as they arise.

The successful candidate will ideally have had experience working within an educational environment, and will be proficient in using Microsoft Excel and Word. You will be educated to at least GCSE standard, including Maths and English, with excellent IT, organisational and communication skills, and will possess the ability to work effectively to tight deadlines whilst handling multiple priorities. Outstanding attention to detail, first-class interpersonal and team-working skills, and the ability to establish good working relations at every level of the organisation, are all essential requirements for the post. A First Aid qualification would also be an advantage.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a DBS (formerly CRB) check, and references will be sought.

This summary is designed to assist prospective candidates in understanding the key components of the role. It is not intended to be exhaustive. The content of the role may be subject to modification from time to time.

To apply, please email your CV and a covering letter to Jacqui Stone, Project Manager, Abberton Rural Training at: [email protected]. The closing date for receipt of applications is 3^rd November 2014.

Full Time – 35 hours per week Salary circa £24,000

Job Vacancy with RCCE Rural Housing Enabler