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Job Title: Project and Community Coordinator

Location: Hybrid working – Minerva Arts Centre, Llanidloes, Powys and from home

Reporting to: The Quilt Association’s Board of Trustees

Contract Type: Fixed-term, 2 years, part-time 20 hours per week.

Salary: £32,000 pro rata

About us

The Quilt Association is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. We collect, conserve and exhibit antique and vintage (mainly Welsh) quilts and currently hold almost 300 in our collection. We are based in the small town of Llanidloes in mid-Wales. Our collection is of national and international importance and attracts visitors from the UK and abroad. Llanidloes, and other areas of Montgomeryshire, played an important role in the woven textile industry from the 17th Century and beyond, and many of the quilts in our collection reflect this. We also promote the skills of quilting, patchwork and related textile arts through our exhibitions and workshops programme. We are volunteer run and managed by a Board of Trustees from a variety of backgrounds who are collectively responsible for running the association including our venue, Minerva Arts Centre, which holds exhibitions and events for nine months of the year.

Our Vision

We seek to celebrate the area’s rich heritage and encourage visitors to discover more. We want to create a lasting legacy for the future by valuing what we have, embracing change and moving forward. Our aim is to both raise the profile of the Association by increasing public awareness of our collection and appreciation for the area's history whilst at the same time encouraging a sense of ownership and stewardship within the local community. We have been awarded a grant by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to facilitate this.

Role overview

We are seeking a Project and Community Coordinator to work with the Board of Trustees.

The role will involve actively connecting local communities with our collection and venue by facilitating meaningful engagement through community engagement events, workshops, volunteer programmes, and inclusive practices . The successful candidate will also foster relationships with partner organizations in the wider area in order to develop a Mid Wales Textiles Trail.

Key Responsibilities

Outreach and Relationship Building:

• Tailor initiatives to establish and maintain relationships with local community groups, schools, businesses, and organizations to identify needs and interests related to local heritage.

• Conduct community surveys and consultations to gather feedback on heritage programming and engagement strategies.

Programme Development and Delivery:

• Design and implement engaging events, workshops, and educational programmes for diverse audiences, including guided tours, talks, living history demonstrations, and family-friendly activities.

• Develop accessible interpretation materials and resources to enhance visitor experience

• Coordinate volunteer recruitment, training, and engagement for heritage-related projects.

Marketing and Communication:

• Promote community engagement initiatives through the use of social media, the local press and presentations to local groups

• Develop marketing materials highlighting the importance of local heritage and upcoming community engagement activities.

Contribution to Community well-being:

• Inclusivity and Participation: facilitate events and activities that involve all community members, including tailored programmes for different demographics, promoting inclusivity and a sense of belonging.

• Education and Heritage Pride: develop educational initiatives that celebrate the heritage of the local area, foster a deeper connection to heritage and cultural identity among residents, enhancing their well-being through a sense of pride and belonging.

• Regional Integration: through marketing campaigns through various channels such as social media, local publications, and community newsletters foster a sense of regional cohesion by attracting visitors to Llanidloes and the wider area, enhancing the community’s exposure and potentially boosting local pride and the local economy

Promotion of Welsh Language:

• Incorporate Welsh in exhibits by including bilingual signage, descriptions to showcase the importance of Welsh language and culture in the area’s history (we have a translator to facilitate this)

• Cultural celebrations – organise events and exhibitions that highlight the significance of Welsh language and tradition

Person Specification

Essential:

• Experience of managing projects and engaging people through change – preferably with NLHF-funded projects

• Community development expertise: understanding of community engagement principles, including needs assessment, stakeholder management, and collaborative project planning

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills: excellent ability to engage with diverse audiences through presentations, public speaking, and written communication.

• Experience in conducting research across a wide range of primary and secondary source material and collating findings

• Ability to build effective and collaborative working relationships with partner organizations

• Event management skills: experience in organizing and executing successful community events.

• Volunteer management: ability to recruit, train, and motivate volunteers for heritage-related projects.

Desirable:

• Experience of working with heritage collections particularly textiles

• Familiarity with the local history, heritage and culture of the Montgomeryshire area of mid-Wales

Personal attributes:

• Passionate about heritage and community engagement

• Collaborative and team-oriented

• Creative and innovative thinker able to develop engaging programmes and activities

Impact assessment:

• Metrics: footfall, positive feedback, altered perceptions and improved data accuracy

• Increased engagement within the local community

• Established working partnerships with partner organizations

• Establishment of a Mid-Wales Textiles Trail

What We Offer

• Opportunities for professional development and growth

• Flexible working arrangements

• A collaborative and inclusive team culture

Application Process

If this sounds like the perfect opportunity for you, we invite you to apply! Please submit your application, including:

• A current CV

• A cover letter detailing your qualifications and motivation for applying

• The names and contact details of two referees

Applications are to be submitted via email no later 31st July 2025

Equal Opportunity Statement

At The Quilt Association we are committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups, and we make employment decisions based on fair and equitable considerations.

Closing Statement

If you’d like to join us we can’t wait to hear from you. Your skills, enthusiasm and drive could be the key to our future success—and yours! We look forward to welcoming you to our team.