Work for Challengers

Jobs with a difference

People are core to our success at Challengers, and we are privileged to work with colleagues who care passionately about our vision.

We’re committed to putting people at the heart of everything we do, and want our colleagues to come in feeling excited to be at work.

Simply put, Challengers is an incredible place to work. No two days are the same, and its an opportunity to make a real difference to disabled children and their families.

Don’t just take our word for it…see what our staff have to say about working here!

Whether you’re looking for an office based role, or prefer to work with children and young people, one thing is for sure – working at Challengers is exciting, rewarding and unlike anywhere else. Here are some of the benefits of working with us:

We are a Real Living Wage employer
We offer 31 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays) pro rata, with extra for long service and after your first year of service you’ll get your birthday off! We believe in true flexibility, so apart from our Christmas break where we shut down, you can choose whether to book Bank Holidays off or work them – enabling you to use your annual leave when it best suits you.
We encourage an open feedback culture so our colleagues are engaged.
We have a range of development options to support continuous personal growth.
All staff have access to a NEST pension and Simply Health care plan.
Each year at our annual Staff Party we hold Staff Awards recognising best practice examples of the Challengers Approach (our values) in action.

Current vacancies:

Results: 4

Communications Manager – Maternity Cover

Employment
Fixed term 12 months, starting July/ August 2025: Salary
£29,000-£33,000 FTE: Location
Guildford (GU1 1TU) with hybrid work options.: Hours
21-28 hours per week

Are you a natural storyteller with a passion for impactful communication? We’re looking for a Communications Manager (maternity cover) to lead our content and messaging across all channels. You’ll craft compelling communications, oversee audience engagement, and manage our Digital Marketing and Communications Officer to help bring our mission to life.

More info

Deputy Leader

Employment
Permanent: Salary
£13.72 per hour: Location
Winchester Play SO22 6AJ: Hours
Saturdays (Once a month), Easter and Summer holidays

Are you passionate about making an impact? We’re seeking an enthusiastic Deputy Leader to bring creativity, leadership, and energy to our life-changing play and leisure programs for disabled children.

In this role, you’ll design engaging activities, strengthen relationships with families, and support our dynamic team in delivering safe and inclusive services. Step into this opportunity to grow your leadership skills and trasform the lives of disabled children and their families.

More info

Play and Youth Deputy Leader

Employment
Permanent: Salary
£14.76 per hour: Location
Richmond: Hours
Saturdays, half terms and Easter and Summer holidays

Challengers is searching for an engaging and passionate Deputy Leader to join our Richmond Play & Youth Schemes. Supported by our dedicated team of Service Managers, you will plan and deliver a range of exciting and engaging activities for disabled children and young people.

More info

Play and Youth Worker

Employment
Part-time, Permanent: Salary
£12.60 per hour / £13.85 per hour (London weighting for Kingston and Richmond locations): Location
Various locations across the Southeast – Guildford, Farnham, Winchester, Chichester and Kingston: Hours
Every Saturday during term-time, Monday – Friday during Easter and Summer holidays, as well as half terms and the Christmas period.

Looking for a fun, varied role which provides the ultimate job satisfaction? We’re searching for friendly and enthusiastic people to join our team as Play and Youth workers across all our locations in the South East.

More info

Meet the team

Ellen Fenton

Farnham Play Leader

I was first introduced to Challengers by a friend back in October 2011. She had so many fun, crazy and exciting things to say about working there that I couldn’t help but want to get involved! Before I knew it, I’d joined the Farnham Play scheme as a Playworker.

I only expected to work at Challengers part-time while attending university…but like many people, I caught the famous “Challengers bug” and here I am – still here over 10 years later and loving it!

From Playworker, to Deputy, to Leader and now to Centre Manager – it’s safe to say I have certainly seen it all throughout my time here, and I’ve got so many great memories. I have learnt all sorts of new skills at Challengers and have developed through training – giving me the confidence to work my way up to where I am now.

Paul Wilson

Head of Service

I have worked at Challengers for more than 20 years and absolutely love the charity. I’m passionate about the non-exclusion of disabled children and young people, and very proud to work for a charity that has this at the heart of its ethos. I started here as a volunteer Playworker and soon realised Challengers was where I need to be. Over the years I have also worked as a Leader, Leisure Development Officer, Centre Manger, Service Manager, and now I’m Head of Service – overseeing all of the charity’s operations.

Ash Morgan

Training Lead

A friend of mine introduced me to Challengers and asked if I would be interested in working there over the summer. I applied and was very excited to get my interview date. I remember my first day was a half day induction training, but I was instantly hooked and asked to stay for the remainder of the day! I loved the energy, the fun and all the laughter – I worked every shift I possibly could, and everyday was different. The atmosphere at Challengers is always welcoming and I love getting to know so many new faces.

It has been 16 years since my first shift, going from volunteer, paid worker, senior worker, deputy, leader, centre manager and then Operations Manager. I have gathered so much experience over the years and still enjoy it so much! I have recently changed my role within Challengers to Training Lead, where I now support and create training for the whole organisation. This is very different to all my experience within the service team, however I am very excited to put that all into my new training role!

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At Challengers we’re committed to looking after our team, as we know that our people underpin everything we do. The ongoing increases to the cost of living affect everyone, so we are delighted to be accredited by the Living Wage Foundation for our commitment to paying the Real Living Wage.
Gennie Dearman, CEO