External Affairs Intern

Job Introduction

Turning Point is seeking a talented intern for a paid position within our External Affairs team, supporting the organisation by delivering a range of policy, communication, and parliamentarian engagement activity at a national and local level across England.

We’re a leading health and social care social enterprise that provides support for drug and alcohol use, mental health, learning disability, autism, and sexual health to over 170,000 people each year.

If you’re excited by working in a creative and fast-paced environment, helping to deliver high-quality communication and policy work promoting a fairer system for people accessing health and social care, then we’d love to hear from you! 

This is a hybrid role – working from home four days a week, with one day a week in our central London office.

It is a fixed-term contract - 12 months.

Role Responsibility

You’ll be getting involved in a wide range of activities, including:

• Supporting in the planning and delivery of Turning Point’s External Affairs work, including campaigns and report writing, briefings, press statements, consultation responses, blogs, and social media
• Aiding in the day-to-day management for the APPG on Complex Needs including organising meetings, engaging parliamentarians and external stakeholders, briefing chairs and liaising with other APPG networks
• Supporting the team’s parliamentary engagement work
• Proactively identifying opportunities to engage with the people we support within policy work, including engagement with lived experience networks
• Supporting the team with updating Turning Point’s social media and website
• Collaborating with internal comms to help promote the latest External Affairs activity within the organisation
• Conducting ad-hoc desk-based research and horizon scanning to help inform our External Affairs strategies and planning
• Carrying out general administration tasks on behalf of the External Affairs team

The Ideal Candidate

This area of the business is fast paced, challenging and subject to continuous change and development. To be considered for the role you will need to be enthusiastic with a keen eye for detail and the ability to juggle tasks and work to deadlines. Previous experience of working in a health and social care, politics or a public policy setting would be an advantage. You will also need:

• Good written and oral communication skills, with experience in communicating across a range of channels and audiences
• A passion for supporting people with our range of services, including Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, and Drug and Alcohol Use
• Ability to work as part of a team, supporting team members and the wider organisation
• Ability to use Microsoft office applications to an intermediate standard
• An ability to turn ideas into effective campaigns

About us

As a leading health and social care provider with more than 300 locations across England, we take real pride in the services we offer.

We run all of our services on a not-for-profit basis; instead, we invest every penny back into our services and people. We never stop believing in change for the better, and we work constantly to improve the lives of the people we support.

What Benefits Will I Receive?

We know reward looks different to each person and so whether its ways to make your money go further, a culture supporting recognition and celebration, or opportunities to boost your career – we want to support you in every way we can with our total reward package that includes:

• Comprehensive learning and development opportunities so we can invest in your future – we’re proud to have a silver accreditation from Investors in People. Choose from our range of courses to gain recognised qualifications
• 29 days’ paid holiday a year, increasing with each year of service up to 31 days. Plus the option to buy additional holidays and spread the cost
• An exclusive discounts hub for TP colleagues, to help make your money go further – including high street shopping, pubs and restaurants, mobile phones, gym memberships, and much more. You’ll also have access to the Blue Light Card, for even more discounts and savings!
• Flexible working solutions to support your work-life balance
• Life Assurance of up to 3x annual salary and a competitive Pension Scheme to support your savings and security
• Access to our Rightsteps Therapy service – free, confidential telephone based counselling sessions, access to an online wellbeing platform, and a Financial Education hub to support your total wellbeing
• A 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme including a Digital GP, legal advice and more – all free to you and your immediate family
• Recognition awards to recognise colleagues’ inspirational work and dedication, as well as Long Service bonuses to celebrate your commitment to us
• Flexible benefit options including a Cycle to Work scheme and interest-free Season Ticket Loans
• A £300 bonus if you successfully refer a friend as a new colleague through our Refer a Friend scheme, as a thanks from us!

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closing date. 

Turning Point