Verbal Arts Centre

13/08/2026

Happening tonight and tomorrow as part of Féile Derry 2026 🎭

“Anything to Declare” is a 90-minute multi-arts experience exploring the border in Ireland through contemporary dance, sound, film and visual art.
The journey begins in the Blue Coat Room at Verbal before continuing to The Playhouse and New Gate Arts Centre.

📅 13–14 August
🕢 7.30pm
🎟️ Advance booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/anything-to-declare-an-artistic-border-reflection-tickets-1993933649220?aff=odcleoeventsincollection

21/07/2026

Operations Manager

The Operations Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day operational running of Verbal's office, compliance and business support functions under the direction of the Head of Operations.

Job Summary

The Operations Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day operational running of Verbal's office, compliance and business support functions under the direction of the Head of Operations. The postholder will ensure that the organisation's systems, records, facilities, funder compliance, finance administration, commercial sales administration, GDPR coordination and business continuity arrangements are managed effectively and professionally. The role supports the Head of Operations and Chief Executive by ensuring strong operational controls, clear reporting, timely follow-up and reliable administrative systems across the organisation.

Pay: £32,910.00-£35,745.00 per year

Job Description

About Verbal

Verbal Arts Centre (Verbal) NI Ltd envisions a world where every story matters. We are dedicated to making storytelling accessible to all, integrating digital technology, literature, and psychology to break down societal barriers. Our mission is to promote positive mental health and social inclusion through high-quality, inclusive storytelling programmes.

Responsibilities

Operational Management and Reporting
Funding Compliance and Project Administration
Finance Cover, Commercial Sales and Debtor Management
Governance, GDPR and Compliance
Board and Committee Administration
Operations Support and Organisational Resilience
Human Resources Administration
Office, Facilities, Insurance and Contract Management
Procurement, Office Systems and Digital Services
Customer Service and Organisational Support

Qualifications

A relevant qualification in business administration, operations, management, finance administration or a related area, or demonstrable equivalent experience
A management, finance, compliance, GDPR, project management, or facilities-related qualification

Benefits:

Company pension
Health & wellbeing programme
Private medical insurance

Work Location: In person

Please refer to the attached recruitment pack for full details of the role, person specification, and conditions of employment. To apply, send a CV and cover letter of no more than two pages to [email protected]. You will also be asked to complete a short monitoring form.

Closing date: Midnight, Sunday 9th August

Click here to download Recruitment Pack

21/07/2026

Head of Programmes

Our Head of Programmes is involved across the whole project lifecycle, taking a project from scoping right through to completion. This is a leading role in the delivery of Verbal's projects. You will be part of a wider management team working on some of our most transformational and strategically important programmes.

Job Summary

Our Head of Programmes is involved across the whole project lifecycle, taking a project from scoping right through to completion. This is a leading role in the delivery of Verbal's projects. You will be part of a wider management team working on some of our most transformational and strategically important programmes. You will have strong project management skills, be a champion of collaboration and teamwork, and be confident at planning at a higher level while getting into the detail to make things happen when needed.

Pay: £44,863.00-£47,846.00 per year

Job Description

About Verbal

Verbal Arts Centre (Verbal) NI Ltd envisions a world where every story matters. We are dedicated to making storytelling accessible to all, integrating digital technology, literature, and psychology to break down societal barriers. Our mission is to promote positive mental health and social inclusion through high-quality, inclusive storytelling programmes.

Responsibilities

Programme Portfolio Accountability
Programme Design and Development
Quality Assurance
Internal Training
Stakeholder Relationships
Leadership and Management

Essential Criteria

Minimum 5 years' senior experience managing multi project programmes in one or more of the following sectors, community/voluntary, health & social care, criminal justice, social housing or education
Demonstrable track record of designing large scale programmes that secured funding, able to evidence at least two programmes taken from concept to funded delivery
Working knowledge of statutory and non-statutory provision relevant to at least one of Verbal's delivery areas (health & social care, criminal justice, education, social housing)
Experience of funder compliance and reporting for grant-funded programmes, including outcome measurement
Evidence of building senior external relationships from a standing start, with commissioners, funders, statutory bodies or equivalent senior stakeholders
Experience of line managing delivery teams, including setting and reviewing performance targets
Experience of designing or operating a quality assurance framework
Please download the full recruitment pack via theverbal.co and submit the completed application form alongside your CV to: [email protected]

Benefits:

Company pension
Health & wellbeing programme
Private medical insurance

Work Location: In person

Please refer to the attached recruitment pack for full details of the role, person specification, and conditions of employment. To apply, send your completed application and CV to [email protected]. You will also be asked to complete a short monitoring form.

Closing date: Midnight, Sunday 9th August

Click here to download Recruitment Pack

21/07/2026

Monitoring Officer - Verbal Arts Centre

https://www.theverbal.co/article/monitoring-officer

09/07/2026

That’s a wrap on Empathy Week!
 
During the month of June, young people across St Cecilias College, St. Joseph’s Boy’s School, Thornhill College and Shimna Integrated College explored one story in six parts, guided by our facilitators. Following a character’s story and the challenges they faced, young people were given the space to explore different perspectives, reflect on their own experiences, and develop greater empathy and understanding
 
To all the young people and teachers who took part: thank you for the energy, honesty and openness you brought to every session. 
 
PEACE of Mind’s full six-week programme is free for secondary schools in Northern Ireland and the border counties. We return in September 2026 ready for the new school year. Get in touch to enroll at: [email protected]
 
This cross-community initiative is proudly funded by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
 

07/07/2026

01/07/2026

We’re delighted to see our partnership with The Open University featured in their 2026 Business Barometer report.
 
The report highlights one of the UK’s biggest challenges: more than 1 million young people aged 16-24 are currently not in education, employment or training (NEET), while skills shortages continue to impact organisations across the country.
 
We’re proud that our collaboration with The Open University and the work being delivered through PEACE of Mind is recognised as part of the conversation around building future skills, confidence and opportunities for young people.
 
This is exactly why partnership working matters. By bringing together expertise across education, communities and employers, we can help create pathways that support young people to realise their potential and contribute positively to society.
 
A huge thank you to The Open University for showcasing this important work.
 
We’re also pleased to see PEACE of Mind highlighted, with support from the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), whose investment is helping create meaningful opportunities and long-term impact.
 
Read the report here: https://business.open.ac.uk/business-barometer
 

30/06/2026

25/06/2026

WEEK 6 — SEEKING HELP & SUPPORT
 
Sometimes we struggle on knowing when to ask for help and who we can talk to.

Week 6 of PEACE of Mind brings the programme full circle. Through a story about a character struggling to reach out, young people decide on how the character should react, and reflect on the support already around them. The young people discover the importance of asking for help in everyday life.
 
PEACE of Mind is a free 6-week programme for secondary schools in Northern Ireland and the border counties. Aiming to promote emotional wellbeing, confidence and resilience through Applied Storytelling.
 
Know a school that could use PEACE of Mind? Share this with them or get in contact with us at [email protected]. We have 4000+ students onboarded and counting. 
 
This cross-community initiative is proudly funded by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).