Colchester United Community Foundation (CUCF) is the official charity of Colchester United Football Club, providing high quality Participation, Health & Inclusion, and Education Programmes to 10,000 children, young people, and adults from across the region each week, alongside managing the Shrub End Community & Sports Centre.
CUCF are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, motivated, and committed Youth Engagement Coach with high standards and strong work ethic on a full-time basis (32-40 hours per week).
This role within our Community Team will include the delivery of mentoring sessions within schools, creating content for mentors to deliver and supporting various CUCF Health and Inclusion programmes. The successful candidate will provide crucial support to students and participants facing a variety of challenges, helping them achieve their full potential.
As we look to strengthen our team, you will require tenacity and the creativity to overcome obstacles and challenges presented when working within sport and a community environment. This alongside having a pivotal part to play in the success and positive impact on colleagues, schools, participants, their families, and our communities. You will have the power to inspire and motivate people on and off the pitch and playgrounds.
This position is based out of The Shrub End Community & Sports Centre, Colchester, CO2 9BG and delivery within schools and community facilities across North Essex.
Essential Qualifications & Experience:
- Youth Mental Health First Aider qualification or willing to complete.
- Qualification in mentoring or similar.
- Experience in youth work, mentoring or a similar role within education or community settings.
- Strong communication and rapport building skills.
- Willing to undertake a CUFC Enhanced DBS Check.
- Willingness to or already completed FA Introduction to Coaching Certificate.
- Willingness to or already completed FA Safeguarding Children Certificate.
- Willingness to or already completed FA Introduction to First Aid Certificate.
- Full UK Driving License.
Desirable Qualifications & Experience:
- Relevant experience working with young people in areas of high deprivation.
- NGB Coaching Qualification.
Roles & Responsibilities:
Develop
- Develop high quality and engaging mentoring resources to use in delivery.
- Develop good relationships with the students you work with.
Deliver
- Deliver the golden thread of safeguarding each day, creating:
- Safe Environments
- Safe People
- Safe Behaviours
- Deliver high quality 1-2-1 and small group mentoring sessions.
- Deliver high quality workshops in schools and community settings.
Support
- Support CUCF in managing existing and new relationships with schools, community organisations and external partners to enhance the reach and impact of the mentoring and health & inclusion programmes.
- Help CUCF in securing resources and funding opportunities for future programme development, contributing ideas for new initiatives or improvements to existing projects.
Collaborate
- Collaborate with colleagues and partners to enhance best practice and impact.
- Collaborate with schools and other partners to ensure a unified approach.
Evaluate
- Evaluate the impact of mentoring delivery and that of beneficiaries through monitoring processes.
- Monitor and evaluate the impact that the mentoring programme is having, to provide feedback to schools and other partners.
All CUCF positions adhere to:
Safeguarding
· Colchester United Community Foundation is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We aim to create a safe and supportive environment for all, and we expect all employees and volunteers to actively contribute to this commitment. Our safeguarding culture is built upon training, policies, and a shared responsibility for the safety and well-being of those we work with.
· In accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, as this role involves working with vulnerable groups, all candidates will be required to undergo a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of the pre-employment process. Additional safeguarding training or qualifications may be required for the role.
· As part of the recruitment process, successful candidates will need to provide proof of their right to work in the UK, in compliance with immigration law.
· In some cases, we may be required to refer concerns about an individual's suitability to work with vulnerable groups to the appropriate authorities, such as the Disclosure and Barring Service or local safeguarding boards, in line with our safeguarding policies.
· Further information can be found HERE
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
· We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and dynamic working environment by building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the workplace. We will ensure that all candidates are treated fairly and without discrimination, in line with the Equality Act 2010. Further information can be found HERE
Health & Safety
- Fully endorse, demonstrate, and carry out the company’s health and safety policy including COSHH.
- Comply with all company policies and statutory regulations.
- Have a full knowledge of procedures for evacuation regarding fire safety.
CUCF Employee Benefits:
- 20 days Annual leave per year (Including all bank holidays)
- Access to a CUCF Fleet vehicle and fuel card for all work-related travel
- Free staff onsite parking
- A pension scheme is available for eligible applicants
- Free Staff Macron Uniform
- Opportunities to access overtime
- Opportunities to work Colchester United home games
- Opportunities to work alongside the Colchester United Academy and Education Team (Category 2)
- Allocated weekly Workforce Performance & Self Development time
- Access to monthly internal Staff Training (Average 60 hours per year)
- External training opportunities through national partners (Premier League Charitable Fund & EFL in the Community).
- CUFC Club Shop Discount
Please note that the job will be subject to satisfactory references and enhanced DBS checks.
Please apply with a CV and Covering Letter.
Please note that the job will be subject to satisfactory references and enhanced DBS checks.
Closing Date: Friday 14th August 2026 (Please note that applications may close sooner if a suitable candidate is found).
Interview Dates: ASAP
Start Date: September/October 2026.
For further details, please contact [email protected] (FAO: Louis Garbett).
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £21,150.00-£28,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company car
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
