About us
Thank you for your interest in the position of Head of Public Affairs and Communications at SAMH, Scotland’s national mental health charity. We are an organisation dedicated to making Scotland a better place for people with mental health problems. Whatever your role, everyone who works for SAMH is helping with this mission.
A significant percentage of staff have experienced mental health problems and as an employer, we not only support people during periods of poor mental health, we value a positive life-work balance, and working in a positive and supportive environment. We support people to do the best possible job for those we’re here to help. We know to do that staff need to be happy at work and feel supported and listened to.
SAMH IS 100
For 100 years, SAMH has been here for Scotland’s mental health. And we will be here for as long as we are needed.
Founded in 1923 to provide support to a wide network of Local Associations for mental health, today we operate more than 60 services in communities across Scotland and our work focuses on three strategic goals: being there for people, promoting good mental health, and ending stigma and discrimination. Watch our video and click below to find out more.
Pre-dating the NHS, we trace our roots back to the early 1900s and the pioneering work of Dr Kate Fraser CBE, from Paisley. Dr Fraser’s dedication to improving the conditions and treatment of people with mental health problems was truly inspirational, and we keep her vision alive across Scotland’s communities every single day.
Our Impact
A century on, SAMH operates over 70 services in communities across Scotland. Our services are person centred and based on an ethos of recovery. Below are stories shared by just three of the people we support, thanks to our supporters, dedicated colleagues and the trust you place in us.
Our strategy
Society has come a long way since those early years but there is so much still left to do. Our centenary strategy, We Won’t Wait, sets out our demands for better mental health support, and our ambition for people to be able to ask once and get help fast.
Fit for the future
We’ve learned a thing or two about overcoming challenges in our 100 years. And when the Covid-19 pandemic brought in-person services to a standstill, we moved many of our services online to continue supporting individuals and communities with their mental health and wellbeing. We also created something new: Time for You. This virtual wellbeing support service offers access to Wellbeing Coaching and Talking Therapy for people experiencing mild to moderate emotional or mental health difficulties.
Play Video
Our strategy
Right now there is a mental health crisis in Scotland and so it’s time for our new strategy.
The last few years have possibly been the most challenging times we can remember. Even before the pandemic, Scotland’s mental health system wasn’t working for many thousands of people.
Now, there is a stronger need than ever before to support the mental health of our nation as we enter a period of recovery. We have therefore designed our new strategy, We Won’t Wait, to be the most ambitious we have produced in a generation.
Do you want to be part of Scotland’s largest mental health charity?
At SAMH people are our biggest asset and, through their dedication, skills, compassion and resilience, we are proud to provide recovery focused support and help to a record number of people across Scotland.
Careers
Are you an experienced Public Affairs & Communications professional who has been waiting for that one outstanding opportunity to come on the market? Want to work with an organisation that does some incredible work across the country? Then, this could be for you!
Denholm are supporting SAMH as they bring in a Head of Public Affairs & Communications to join their talented team.
As Scotland’s most prominent mental health charity, it’s an exciting time to be joining in what is their centenary year. They provide some fantastic support across mental health social care support, services in primary care, schools and further education, among others and this role will play a key part in that.
As an organisation, they genuinely care about their employees and you’d be part of a friendly dedicated team who collaborate closely for the bigger cause. There’s also a big emphasis on work/life balance and some fantastic benefits on offer.
This is an amazing opportunity for someone looking to be part of something special whilst helping them promote and tell their story.
- Playing a central role in developing and directing a policy and influencing strategy designed to persuade, change minds and provoke action
- Working closely with the Director of Influence and Change to develop and implement a comms, audience and content plan that delivers strategic priorities
- Developing effective relationships across Scottish Government, MSPs, MPs, media, encouraging stakeholders to think differently about the solutions required to improve the mental health of the nation
- As a member of the senior team, contributing to all areas of the organisation to support the corporate strategy, the Trustee Board and Executive Team
- Managing a talented team of people working within policy, public affairs, communications and campaigns
Opportunities like this genuinely don’t come up often! You will need to demonstrate a strong track record within public affairs with experience of establishing and maintaining effective relationships with politicians, government officials and the broader policymaking community. A considerable knowledge of effective communications channels to target audiences in multi-media formats is also essential.
You will have experience of managing and motivating a talented team.
SAMH adopts a flexible approach to working environment. The role can be based, ideally, in Glasgow or Edinburgh, and travel throughout Scotland as required.
Salary: £55,000 – £60,000
As well as promoting a healthy work-life balance, we offer the following:
- SAMH operates a workplace pension in line with auto enrolment requirements and SAMH contributes in line with government standards
- Annual leave 30 days (under 5 years service); 33 days (over 5 years service)
- 4 days public holidays
- Life cover 1.5 times annual salary
- Learning and development opportunities
- Employee Assistance Programme – confidential support should you need it
SAMH is proud to be an accredited Living Wage Employer. We chose to do this because the real Living Wage is the only rate calculated independently according to what people need to meet the costs and pressures they face in their everyday lives.
Our people and employment practices at SAMH align with the Scottish Fair Work Framework and we believe that fair work is work that offers effective voice, opportunity, security, fulfilment and respect. An important part of this is our commitment to paying the real Living Wage as a minimum rate of pay for all SAMH staff who work every day to support Scotland’s mental health.
Apply
If you would like any information about this opportunity with SAMH, please get in touch with Denholm Associates today. Thank you.
Scott Caithness