Community and education assistant trainee

Closing date for applications: Monday 31st August 2026 at 11:59pm

Location: London

Salary: Training Allowance equivalent to real Living Wage

Start date: October 2026

Working hours: 9am-5pm, 3 days a week (21 hours) 1-2 days per week in the office

Contract length: 7 months

Start your career in arts administration, supporting community music projects that make a difference across health, education and wellbeing.

Performing approximately 200 concerts each season and with a worldwide audience of more than half-a-million people, the Orchestra embraces a broad repertoire that enables it to reach the most diverse audience of any British symphony orchestra. Whilst artistic integrity remains paramount, the RPO is unafraid to push boundaries and is equally at home recording video game, film and television soundtracks and working with pop stars, as it is performing the great symphonic repertoire.

This trainee role is an exciting opportunity for an organised, enthusiastic individual looking to begin a career in arts administration, community engagement and creative learning. Working three days per week as part of our supportive team of four, you will gain hands on experience supporting the planning and delivery of a wide range of community and education programmes.

Throughout the traineeship, you will work alongside experienced colleagues, professional musicians and external partners, developing practical skills in project coordination, arts administration, event delivery and partnership working while contributing to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's Resound programme.

What you'll be doing

Project Support

• Provide practical, on-the-ground support for Resound's health and wellbeing programmes, including STROKESTRA® (our stroke rehabilitation programme delivered alongside clinicians), Sound Sanctuary (supporting Brent residents experiencing mental health challenges) and Common Ground (working with SEND schools in Brent). You will welcome participants, prepare workshop materials and help ensure sessions run smoothly.
• Support the delivery of our Noisy Kids and Relaxed Performances by welcoming audiences and assisting with event coordination.
• Support communication with RPO musicians and partner organisations by sharing project information and acting as a helpful point of contact.
  

Operations, Logistics & Administration

• Organise transport and help set up workshop resources and instruments. Please note that this role includes some physical set-up and manual handling of equipment.
• Learn to maintain project schedules, coordinate musician bookings and keep participant and partner databases up to date.
  

Digital Engagement & Marketing

• Support the recruitment of participants for programmes such as Sound Sanctuary by helping create promotional materials and digital communications.
• Gather participant stories, photographs and feedback from workshops to support the marketing team in showcasing the impact of Resound across digital channels.

What you'll learn

During the traineeship you'll have the opportunity to develop experience in:

• Arts and project administration
• Community and education programme delivery
• Supporting workshops with professional musicians
• Partnership working across education, healthcare and community organisations
• Event and concert delivery
• Participant engagement and customer service
• Evaluation and impact reporting
• Marketing and communications within an arts organisation
  

What we are looking for

There are no specific academic qualification requirements for this role. We welcome applications from candidates with a range of educational backgrounds who can demonstrate the skills, enthusiasm and potential outlined below.

Essential Criteria

• An interest in how music can support health, wellbeing, learning and social inclusion.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• A proactive attitude and willingness to learn.
• The ability to work as part of a team while taking responsibility for your own tasks.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends to support concerts and events.
  

Desirable Criteria

• Volunteer, placement or work experience in arts, education, community or healthcare settings.
• Experience of participating in music-making.
• An understanding of the UK orchestral or cultural sector.
• Experience working with children, young people or adults with SEND.
• Familiarity with Canva or similar design software.
  

We know that great candidates don't always meet every requirement. If you're excited by this opportunity but don't feel you tick every box, we'd still love to hear from you. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

To apply

• Log in to your Creative Access account or register today to apply for this opportunity
• Upload your CV and cover letter as one document (applications without a tailored cover letter will not be accepted)
• Once submitted, you can no longer amend your application, so proof-read carefully
• Do not contact the company directly
• Please email any queries about this role to Creative Access at this address: recruit@creativeaccess.org.uk
• Please note you will receive an update on your application no later than 6 weeks after the closing date

This opportunity is open to individuals from groups that are under-represented in the creative industries. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as Black, Asian, or from other ethnically diverse backgrounds, or people of any ethnicity who belong to the following under-represented groups: disabled people, people with the characteristic of gender reassignment, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, carers and asylum seekers.

The successful candidate for this opportunity will also participate in a Creative Access support programme that sits alongside workplace training. This includes a programme of induction training, monthly masterclasses, wellbeing support, buddying/mentoring, and more.