Freelance jobs in Cheshire

Creative Workshop Facilitator – Junk Journaling & Wellbeing

Journaling Matters CIC – Pages for Change
Nantwich, Cheshire
£20 per hour | 3 hours per week | Term time only

Journaling Matters CIC is looking for a warm, creative and reliable facilitator to run our weekly Pages for Change junk journaling workshops for young people aged 16–25.

Pages for Change is a National Lottery Community Fund-supported project using junk journaling, creativity and expressive writing to support wellbeing, confidence, self-expression and connection.

This isn’t an art class, and you don’t need to be a professional artist. We’re much more interested in finding someone who can create a relaxed, inclusive and welcoming space where young people feel comfortable taking part in their own way.

Our workshops use collage, journaling, creative prompts, paper crafts and lots of lovely materials. Participants are free to experiment, create, chat, reflect or simply enjoy making something without pressure to produce a particular result.

The role

You will take responsibility for the weekly delivery of the Pages for Change sessions, following the existing project format and guidance provided by Journaling Matters CIC.

The three paid hours each week cover preparation and set-up, the workshop itself, clearing away and a small amount of session administration.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Setting up journals, craft materials and the workshop space before participants arrive.
• Welcoming participants and helping to create a calm, friendly and inclusive atmosphere.
• Introducing simple junk journaling activities, themes and creative prompts.
• Demonstrating techniques and helping participants get started where needed.
• Moving around the group, chatting with participants and offering gentle encouragement and support.
• Supporting young people who may be shy, anxious, neurodivergent or lacking in confidence.
• Encouraging participation without putting anyone under pressure to create, write, share or talk.
• Managing materials and letting us know when supplies need replenishing.
• Maintaining appropriate boundaries and following Journaling Matters CIC's safeguarding procedures.
• Completing a simple weekly attendance/session record, including brief observations about engagement, what worked well and any issues or concerns.
• Reporting any safeguarding or wellbeing concerns appropriately.
• Leaving the workshop space clean and tidy at the end of each session.

About you

You don’t need to be an expert in junk journaling, although experience of creative activities, journaling, collage, crafts or similar would be very welcome. We can provide guidance on the activities and approach.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience facilitating groups, workshops, youth activities, education, community projects or similar.
• Is comfortable working with young people aged 16–25.
• Is warm, approachable and able to help people feel at ease.
• Can confidently manage a small group and create a safe, positive atmosphere.
• Understands that some participants may experience anxiety, low confidence, neurodivergence or other barriers to taking part.
• Can encourage participation without being overly directive.
• Is organised, dependable and able to take responsibility for running the session independently.
• Is comfortable completing a small amount of straightforward paperwork after each session.
• Has good communication skills and will keep in touch with the Journaling Matters project lead where needed.

Experience within youth work, education, community arts, mental health/wellbeing projects or the voluntary/community sector would be particularly useful.

Safeguarding and checks

Pages for Change works with young people aged 16–25, and safeguarding is an important part of this role.

Appointment will be subject to:

• a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check, including the Children's Barred List where applicable;
• two satisfactory references;
• completion of Journaling Matters CIC's safeguarding induction; and
• agreement to follow our safeguarding, confidentiality and professional boundaries policies.

Previous safeguarding training is desirable, but project-specific guidance and induction will be provided.

Contract and fee

This is a freelance, self-employed sessional role for the remainder of the Pages for Change project.

The freelance fee is £60 per weekly session, based on three hours at £20 per hour. This includes preparation and set-up, workshop delivery, packing away and completion of a short session record.

Sessions take place during term time only.

The successful facilitator will be engaged by Journaling Matters CIC under a contract for services and will submit an invoice for sessions delivered. As a self-employed contractor, you will be responsible for your own tax and National Insurance arrangements.

This is not an employed position. The facilitator may undertake other freelance or employed work alongside this contract.

How to apply
Please apply with your CV and a short covering letter telling us a little about yourself, why this role appeals to you, and any relevant experience you have of working with young people, facilitating groups or using creativity to support wellbeing.

We’re particularly interested in your approach to creating a welcoming, low-pressure space for young people with different levels of confidence and experience.

About Journaling Matters CIC

Journaling Matters is a Community Interest Company using journaling, expressive writing and creativity to support mental wellbeing and help people feel more connected to themselves and others.

Our approach is friendly, accessible and low-pressure. You won’t be expected to teach people the “right” way to journal. We want participants to feel that their journal belongs to them and that they are free to experiment, make a mess, write nothing at all, or create something entirely their own.

If you enjoy creativity, like working with young people and are good at creating the kind of space where people can relax and be themselves, we’d love to hear from you.

Pay: £20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 3.0 per week

Application question(s):

• Are you able to deliver regular Saturday afternoon workshops in Nantwich during term time?
• Are you happy to work on a freelance/self-employed basis and submit invoices to Journaling Matters CIC for sessions delivered?

Experience:

• workshop facilitation: 2 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• recent Enhanced DBS check (required)

Work Location: In person