Reporting to CEO

We are on the hunt for a new community organiser with proven campaigning experience and strong facilitation skills! And just as importantly—someone with creativity, a passion for justice and the ability to work inclusively with young people with learning disabilities. Could that be you?

Coventry Youth Activists (CYA) is the UK’s only youth-led campaign group run by and for disabled young people.

70 per cent of CYA’s members have learning disabilities and they need a community organiser to help them take on one of their biggest fights yet: defending SEND rights.

Imagine working alongside young people who’ve challenged Meta’s hate speech policies, won national awards and brought a sofa on wheels to a protest.

As one member puts it: "Leadership doesn’t have to look a certain way… that’s what we do at CYA."

to apply to join the team.

70 per cent of CYA’s members have learning disabilities and they need a community organiser to help them take on one of their biggest fights yet: defending SEND rights.

Imagine working alongside young people who’ve challenged Meta’s hate speech policies, won national awards and brought a sofa on wheels to a protest.

This isn’t traditional charity work. CYA doesn’t lobby for disabled young people—they campaign as them. From Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties outside Facebook HQ to high-level negotiations with decision-makers: their approach is bold, creative and effective. Meet them here.

As one member puts it: "Leadership doesn’t have to look a certain way… that’s what we do at CYA."

CYA prepare to protest outside Facebook offices in London, October 2021. Credit:
Melissa Smith.

• Part-time 18.5 hours per week
• £31303 pro rata
• Fixed term contract until 2028
• Based at our offices in Spon End, Coventry
• Reporting to the Team Leader
• Closing date:
  Monday 23 February at 9am
• Expected start date:
  Monday 30 March 2026.

You’ll support CYA members to challenge urgent threats to their rights—particularly government reforms affecting SEND (Special Educational Need and Disability) rights.

This means:

• Developing campaign strategies and power mapping decision-makers with young activists
• Facilitating actions, media engagement and high-level negotiations
• Coaching young leaders and building their confidence to take the lead
• Creating alliances and expanding CYA’s reach and influence
• Ensuring everything is accessible, inclusive and driven by lived experience.

You won’t be doing this alone. You’ll be part of Grapevine, an award-winning charity with years of community organising expertise, working within a supportive team that believes in joyful organising.

• At least one year’s community organising or campaigning experience with clear evidence of wins
• Ability to work collaboratively and inclusively, especially with people who have learning disabilities
• Strong facilitation and communication skills
• Experience building alliances and developing others
• Creative problem-solving and a genuine passion for justice.

Follow this link to read the job pack in full.

May 2019 – Coventry Youth Activists prepare to take centre stage in Broadgate, Coventry on their sofa on wheels. Credit:
John Whitmore.

• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• 8 per cent non-contributory pension
• Employee Assistance Programme
• A culture of learning, reflection and genuine support.

Grapevine is a place where you’ll have freedom with support, real opportunities to grow and work that creates lasting impact. Our team describe it as a "powerhouse" that feels like a second home.

Visit our Careers page for more.

We’re an award-winning charity helping communities across Coventry and Warwickshire take collective action.

We’re nationally recognised for our community organising approach and we’re accredited trainers for the National Community Organisers programme.

We believe those who face challenges are best positioned to lead solutions—and we provide the support to make that happen.

"Grapevine is a fantastic organisation—bold, innovative and caring. It manages to balance positive outcomes for individuals and communities with system change—a very rare…