Luton Roma Trust is a charity that supports the Roma community in Luton and surrounding areas to live healthier, more confident, and more empowered lives, while strengthening pride in their Roma identity and culture.

The Finance Officer will be responsible for the effective day-to-day financial management of the charity, ensuring accurate financial records and compliance with organisational policies and funding requirements. H/She will manage the charity’s  accounting system using QuickBooks, process financial transactions, monitor income and expenditure, reconcile bank accounts, and maintain up-to-date financial records. H/She will prepare regular financial reports for the Charity Manager and Board of Trustees, track project and organisational budgets, support financial forecasting and cash flow planning, and ensure spending remains within approved budgets. The Finance Officer will also assist with the preparation of annual accounts, audits, and grant financial reporting, while contributing to the charity’s overall financial sustainability and good governance.

The successful candidate will be confident in preparing financial reports, monitoring expenditure, supporting forecasting, and ensuring accurate and timely financial information is available to support decision-making. H/She will have a good understanding of financial procedures, budgeting, reporting, and financial record-keeping, with experience using QuickBooks as an accountant software.

Job Title:                                   Finance Officer

Reports To:                               Charity Manager, Board of Trustees

Location:                                   Luton

Working Arrangements:         On Site

Contract:                                   Fixed term, three years

Salary:                                       £16/hour              

Hours:                                        20 hours/week (part-time)        

Proposed start date:                 October 2026

Essential Requirements:

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience working in a finance, accounting, or bookkeeping role, with experience managing financial records, preparing reports, monitoring budgets, and supporting financial planning.
• Experience using QuickBooks accounting software
• Experience managing finances for grant-funded projects and preparing financial reports for funders.
• Knowledge of charity finance regulations, including the difference between restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate and organised financial records.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues.
• Good IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and an understanding of the values and principles of working within the charity sector.The right to work in the UK
• A commitment to the mission, values, and Christian ethos of Luton Roma Trust, and to promoting equality, inclusion, dignity, and community empowerment.

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience working within the charity, voluntary, or not-for-profit sector.
• Experience supporting audits and preparing information for external accountants.
• Understanding of charity governance requirements and financial compliance.
• Experience working with a Board of Trustees or senior management team to provide financial updates and advice.
• Ability to identify opportunities to improve financial processes and systems.
• Knowledge and understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion principles.

Application Process:

• To apply, please submit your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a Letter of Motivation responding to the question: “Why would you like to work for this charity?” Please include details of your professional experience and explain how your skills, knowledge, and experience meet the requirements outlined in this call for applications.
• Please send your application by email with the subject Finance Officer to crina@lutonromatrust.org.uk by 14th of September 2026. Interviews will take place during the week commencing 21^st of September 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• The successful applicant will start work as soon as possible. Any offer of employment is dependent upon receipt of 2 satisfactory references (one from your most recent employer) and any other statutory checks including DBS.
• To find out more about Luton Roma Trust please have check our website at   www.lutonromatrust.org.uk or our facebook page at www.facebook.com/LutonRomaTrust.

Luton Roma Trust is a charity that supports the Roma community in Luton and surrounding areas to live healthier, more confident, and more empowered lives, while strengthening pride in their Roma identity and culture.
The Empowerment Officer will play a key role in working alongside members of the Roma community in Luton and surrounding areas to strengthen wellbeing, increase independence, extend participation, and expand access to opportunities. H/She will support individuals and families to build confidence and self-esteem, recognise and develop their strengths, and take greater control over the decisions that affect their lives. Through a community-led and rights-based approach, the Empowerment Officer will empower Roma community members to advocate for their rights, participate confidently in public life and decision-making, and contribute to creating lasting, positive change for themselves, their families, and the wider community.
The successful candidate will have a track record of delivering community outreach, advocacy or empowerment programmes, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a strong commitment to equality, inclusion, and cultural awareness. They will maintain high standards of professionalism, safeguarding, confidentiality, and data protection while keeping accurate records and ensuring services are delivered with dignity, respect, and accountability.

Job Title: Empowerment Officer
Reports To: Charity Manager
Location: Luton
Working Arrangements: On Site
Contract: Fixed term, three years
Salary: £15/hour
Hours: 37.5 (full time)
Proposed start date: October 2026

Essential requirements:

• Experience working alongside Roma, Gypsy, Traveller, or other marginalised communities using a strengths-based, culturally responsive, and empowering approach
• A strong understanding of the opportunities, aspirations, and challenges experienced by Roma communities, including social exclusion, health inequalities, barriers to education and employment, housing inequalities, discrimination, and hate crime
• A track record of delivering community outreach, engagement, advocacy, empowerment, or capacity-building programmes that promote participation and positive change
• A sound understanding of safeguarding responsibilities for children, young people, and adults at risk.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage people with empathy, respect, and cultural sensitivity
• Strong advocacy, facilitation, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to support people to identify solutions and make informed decisions
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative and supportive team
• Good digital literacy, including Microsoft Office, and the ability to maintain accurate records, monitor outcomes, and produce clear reports
• Fluent spoken and written English
• The ability to communicate in Romanian, Romani, or both
• The ability to travel across Luton to engage with families, schools, community venues, and partner organisations
• The right to work in the UK
• A commitment to the mission, values, and Christian ethos of Luton Roma Trust, and to promoting equality, inclusion, dignity, and community empowerment.

Desirable requirements:

• Lived experience of the Roma community, or significant experience working in partnership with Roma communities, would be an advantage
• Relevant qualification in Community Development, Social Work, Youth Work, Health & Social Care, Education, or a related field.
• Experience delivering workshops, training, or group sessions.
• Experience recruiting, supporting, or coordinating volunteers
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or line managing staff and/or volunteers.
• Experience working with statutory agencies such as local authorities, schools, NHS services, or housing providers.
• Knowledge of funding requirements, monitoring, and evaluation.

• To apply, please send your Curriculum Vitae and a Letter of Motivation by email with the subject Empowerment Officer to crina@lutonromatrust.org.uk by 14th of September 2026. Interviews will take place during the week commencing 21st of September 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• The successful applicant will start work as soon as possible. Any offer of employment is dependent upon receipt of 2 satisfactory references (one from your most recent employer) and any other statutory checks including DBS.
• To find out more about Luton Roma Trust please have check our website at www.lutonromatrust.org.uk or our facebook page at www.facebook.com/LutonRomaTrust.

The Chair of the Luton Roma Trust, Rt Revd Richard Atkinson, is delighted to announce our new Trustee Steve Dolby, a Lay Reader at St. Thomas Church in Stopsley. Steve brings in extensive management and fundraising experience and we are excited to have his expertise guiding our work. Learn more about Steve’s background at: https://www.stopsley.net/whos-who

“I’ve always believed that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and empowered—especially those who’ve been pushed to the margins. I’m proud to join Luton Roma Trust in breaking down barriers and building a more inclusive future.” Steve

As a passionate advocate for equity and inclusion, Steve will be a powerful voice as we continue to support and uplift the Roma community in Luton.

Please join us in giving Steve a warm welcome!

#TrusteeSpotlight#CharityLeadership#InclusionMatters#CommunityFirst

Yesterday, marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Thousands of Roma, Jews, homosexuals, and disabled people were killed just because of who they were. We must never forget these atrocities and never allow such an event to take place again.

To commemorate this day, the Luton Roma team attended the Service of Commemoration at St Mary’s Church in Saffron Walden. Over 200 individuals attended the event, including the Mayor and Councillor Deryk Eke. We shared our firm commitment to working with everyone around us to never allow this to happen again. It was an emotional service, and we would like to thank Rufus and his team for such a warm welcome and introduction.

We are thrilled to announce that Luton Roma Trust has been joined by Mrs. Esther Stubbs as a Charity Operations Manager. Esther brings in a wealth of experience on GRT issues and is passionate to work towards achieving social justice for the Roma community in Luton. At LRT, Esther will oversee the implementation of the operational strategy of the charity and co-contribute to its strategic vision.

Esther’s background is in Traveller Education and social care.  Her MA in social work examined the growing concerns of GRT children engaged with children’s social care in the UK.  Esther describes herself as a proud Romany Gypsy, born into a large Romany family, living, and travelling around East Anglia.

Esther is a registered social worker, and this year BASW’s Professional Social Work magazine published her article titled, ‘We need to consider racism beyond colour’ in addition she contributed to a handbook aimed at professional best practice when working with GTRSB students in Higher Education, published by the University of Greenwich.

As well as Operations Manager for Luton Roma Trust, Esther works for Buckinghamshire New University leading on the GTRSB into Higher Education Pledge.  She is also an acting trustee for Friends, Families and Travellers, and is a member of the Advisory Council for the Education of Romany and other Travellers (ACERT), the Gypsy Lore Society, and BASW’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory discussions.

Esther describes her greatest achievement as her 5 children, who motivate her to advocate for equality of opportunity for everyone, regardless of their heritage and identity.

We are excited to announce that we have started working with Heriot-Watt University on a project relating to Roma people’s ageing. The project’s objective is to understand the experiences of the Roma in the process of getting older with the scope of identifying effective ways of supporting them throughout this process.

Below is a video on the project description and co-researcher recruitment:

More information about the project can be found here at www.romaplaceage.com

We look forward to working with Heriot-Watt University and our partners to bridge the gap in this area and identify viable solutions for the Roma community in Luton.

Yesterday, we were honoured to have a visit from HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Susan Lousada. We all admired her passion for our cause and we are grateful for the support she has shown to tackle some of the challenges that the Roma face in Luton.

We were thrilled to be part of the parade in this year’s Luton Carnival yesterday. It gave us an opportunity to showcase our culture as well as be part of the wider Luton community.

The report highlights the multiple barriers faced by the Roma community when accessing healthcare services and identifies a number of obstacles that the Roma face when trying to access healthcare which include language and communication barriers, knowledge of how the health system works, and limited digital literacy.  

The research was carried out in partnership with the University of Bedfordshire and Luton Roma Trust. The report was commissioned by NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board as part of the Denny Review into health inequalities.

 To download the executive summary and full report, please click the link below.

We were delighted to join the lived experience panel at the ‘Creating a Fairer BLMK’ event on Friday 17th May.  Where we discussed the lived experiences that the Roma community in Luton experiences when accessing healthcare.  We emphasised that the language barrier is the main obstacle that the Roma faces when trying to access basic healthcare and we also explained the impact this has on the community and the need for immediate action to make healthcare accessible for everyone.

The event was organised by Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes in collaboration with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement to discuss and follow up on the recommendations highlighted in the Denny Review on health inequalities released in September last year.

Below is the link to the Denny Review and LRT’s Access to Health for the Roma communities reports: https://blmkhealthandcarepartnership.org/denny-review/