About Rise
What is Rise?
Rise (legal name Rise North East) is a leading North East England health and wellbeing charity, registered with Companies House (company number 07176549) and the UK Charity Commission (charity number 1135223). From the "what we do" page: "Rise is a leading health and wellbeing charity – and we're passionate about the role that physical activity can play in making a positive difference to the communities across North East England that need it most."
The charity is one of 42 Active Partnerships across the UK and a key partner of Sport England, supporting its "Uniting the Movement" strategy. Funders include Sport England and The National Lottery Community Fund. Geographically the charity covers Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside, and Sunderland.
Where will I work?
Rise's office is at the Royal Quays Business Centre, Coble Dene, North Shields, NE29 6DE. The charity works alongside partners across health, education, and transport throughout the North East of England, with regional placemaking woven into its 2021–2031 strategy.
What is the Rise team like?
A team of friendly experts focused on system-change work. From the work-for-us page: "Join our team of friendly experts who are passionate about changing people's lives for the better. You'll join a team that works to help the communities that need it most in our region, collaborating with and supporting our partner organisations across the North East. We work to provide an inclusive workplace, with your wellbeing at the heart of it."
CEO Clare Morley led the move to a four-day week. Per a 2023 press release on the website: "We are excited to be taking part in this trial. We strongly believe in our employees' health and wellbeing and have spent considerable time looking at the benefits a four-day working week brings to an organisation and its people."
Staff voices from the careers page — Louise Wallace, Development Manager for Children and Young People: "For me, Rise is a great place to work because I feel valued and trusted to do a great job. There is always someone ready to listen, bounce ideas off or collaborate with and it's a fantastic team to be part of." Sarah Baylis, Sport welfare manager (North of Tyne): "Working at Rise doesn't really feel like a job! I love my role as it's something I'm passionate about and I can really make a difference to people in my community."
Work-Life Balance
Rise joined the 4 Day Week National Roll Out Programme on Monday 12 June 2023, run by UK think tank Autonomy in partnership with the 4 Day Week campaign. Per the announcement: "Employees will work 30 hours per week between Monday to Thursday, rather than the traditional 37 hours format from Monday-to-Friday." The shift came with no change to salary.
Verbatim from the work-for-us page: "Full-time employees are gifted one day off (Fridays), but still paid a full-time salary. This reduces working hours from 37.5 to 30 per week." Plus flexible hybrid working including WFH, and 28 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays (the 28-day allowance is reduced by 20% while the four-day week is in operation).
Perks and Benefits
- 4-day week with Fridays off — 30 hours/week Mon–Thu at full-time salary (joined the Autonomy 4 Day Week National Roll Out from June 2023)
- Group personal pension with 6% employer contribution
- 24/7 employee assistance programme for confidential support
- Better Health at Work Gold Award workplace — physical wellbeing packs (Fitbit, foot roller, resistance band), 30-min lifestyle health checks, free desk yoga via Zoom, free Pilates sessions, financial wellbeing workshops
- Access to the Benefit Hub — discounts, rewards, and perks on thousands of brands
- Flexible, hybrid working including working from home
- 28 days holiday FTE plus Bank Holidays (currently reduced 20% during the 4-day-week period)