Who we are

Our vision is a world free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases. A world without heartbreak.

The British Heart Foundation is the leading charity to support heart and circulatory diseases. Each year, we fund over £100 million worth of research into heart disease, strokes, vascular dementia, diabetes and what causes them. We're a major funder and authority in cardiovascular research, education and care and are currently funding over 1000 research projects across the UK. We have a range of ambassadors and celebrity supporters, including two members of the Royal Family.

Working with us

Our vital work would be impossible without skills and expertise of our thousands of employees and volunteers who have helped to shape and influence the charity since the beginning.  Read on to find out more about what we do and the personal development opportunities that we could offer you through volunteering, or working for us: - including our Apprentice and Graduate Programmes.    

History
The British Heart Foundation was founded in 1961 by a group of medical professionals wanting to fund extra research into the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heart and circulatory diseases.

Since 2008, the BHF has been investing in Centres of Research Excellence. The six current centres bring together scientists from a number of disciplines to work on research projects to beat a range of heart diseases. They are based in London, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Oxford. In 2013, the BHF committed to funding three multi-institution Centres of Regenerative Medicine, investing £7.5 million over four years to fund scientists looking for new treatments for heart failure. Two years later in 2015, £102.5 million was spent on funding cardiovascular research and £30.8 million on prevention, survival and support activities.

Other Activity
Alongside the day to day work of BHF, we also support a range of other charities including European Heart Network, OHA, Healthy Air Campaign and National Voices. we're are also one of 14 charities that make up Richmond Group, which is a collective voice to better influence health and social care which improves the lives of over 15 million people with a long term condition.

The charity works closely with Every Child a Life Saver, a charity which brings together the BHF, British Red Cross and St John Ambulance to create a new generation of life savers by bringing appropriate first aid, including CPR into schools. This provides young people with the skills and confidence to know what to do in a medical emergency.

The BHF were also responsible for the introduction of the opt-out organ donation system which will be introduced in 2020. This means that everyone in England will be presumed to consent to organ donations until they opt out on the NHS organ donation register.

Volunteering

Without volunteers, the work that the British Heart Foundation does would be impossible to continue. The support of all of those that get involved through working in the shops, fundraising or at events , allows the BHF to raise the funds to continue with their live saving research.

There are opportunities for volunteers of all ages from leaving school and adding the skills to your CV, right through to a career change to build your confidence in other areas. The BHF also offer access to other qualifications and allow volunteers to work toward their Duke of Edinburgh Award.  By gifting us your spare time, you’re helping us make a lasting impact to those people and families who are affected by heart and circulatory disease. In return we offer you a rewarding place to learn new skills, make new friends and much more.

Volunteer in our shops
Our shops play a key role in our work to beat heartbreak forever. By greeting customers, organising the warehouse or sorting through donated goods, your contribution has an impact far into the future.

We will give you a warm BHF welcome when you join our team and the training needed to carry out your new role as well as on-going support as you volunteer.  We understand that our roles need to be flexible to fit in with your lifestyle and other commitments. However much time you are able to give to us, you will help to make a difference today and for future generations. 
>Find out more. 

Fundraise in your community
Our fundraising volunteers are the face of the BHF in their local communities. They raise awareness of heart and circulatory diseases and how our work is tackling them.

You can join one of our existing groups or form a new group of your own. There’s also opportunity for group members to introduce us to local businesses, help with CPR training events and speak to other local clubs and associations about our work. All of this comes with the support of your local fundraising who can help guide you. 
>Find out more.

Young people and students:
By volunteering with us, you can build strong skills to put on your CV that'll give you the edge in future job applications. Plus, if you're 16-24 you can work towards your DofE award.

If you're new to your university town and want to get to know the area, get involved with a community fundraising group or be part of the cheering crowd at an event. The BHF is also an Approved Activity Provider (AAP) for the volunteering section of the DofE award offering volunteering opportunities to participants from 16 years old in our shops or as a fundraiser raising funds for the BHF.

Working at the British Heart Foundation

Apprentice Programmes
We’re always looking for the brightest and best people. Our apprenticeship opportunities are a genuine job, with training, an opportunity to earn while you learn and gain the necessary skills and professional competencies in your chosen career. All apprenticeships include elements of on the job and off the job training leading to industry recognised standards or qualifications. Our Retail Apprenticeship programme is the perfect way to dip your toe in the world of retail and find the role that suits you. You’ll be part of a structured programme and be supported every step of the way.
>Find out more.

Graduate Programmes

If you’re starting out in your career or looking for a change in career, you might not know exactly what you want to do yet. But perhaps you do know you want to make a difference. As a large world class organisation we offer a wealth of opportunities to start shaping your professional life.  Our Retail Graduate Programme is a 24 month structured scheme aimed at developing retail managers. As the largest and most successful charity retailer in the UK, with over 700 stores and a strong online presence, our programme offers a great opportunity for a talented graduate. Our award-winning People and Organisational Development Team are excited to offer a new HR Graduate Programme. Over 24 months, graduates will have exposure to several different teams within People & Organisational Development, enabling them to have an immersive introduction to the world of HR & Talent.
>Find out more.

Career Development
We are now one of the UK’s largest and best known charities. Our workforce spans England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We pride ourselves on giving our people a working environment that is rewarding and supportive, inspiring and challenging and everyone who works here lives our values every day: brave, informed, compassionate and driven.  We're committed to be an inclusive employer for everyone and proud that the diversity of our supporters is also reflected in the diversity of our workforce. Our equality and diversity agenda spans across our charity and we pride ourselves in being an inclusive employer who puts diversity at the heart of everything that we do. 

When you join the BHF we want you to feel valued every day. You'll be empowered to develop your knowledge and skills, and encouraged to be ambitious in reaching for the next challenge. We want you to succeed, and will strive to provide all the tools, support and exciting opportunities you need to do the best work of your life. A vital part of this is by asking you to play a proactive role in your own development, and immerse yourself in BHF’s culture of continual improvement, curiosity and collaboration. You'll be supported to create a personal development plan, mapping out your aims and aspirations for personal growth. Then we’ll help you to go for it.

Our diversity is our biggest strength, we have job opportunities available in our offices dotted across the UK, in over 700 stores, and we even offer home based roles. All we’re interested in is talented, hard working people who share our values.  Find out more about our positions in:

• Retail - Instore
• Retail - Operations and Support
• Retail - Online
• Marketing and Engagement
• Healthcare Innovation 
• Fundraising
• People and Organisation Development
• Digital and Technology
• Research Grant Management
• Finance, Governance and Strategy

Benefits
As a world class organisation, we offer competitive salaries and an attractive package of benefits, designed to support the health and wellbeing of everyone who works here. But more than that, we provide opportunities that are completely unique to the British Heart Foundation, such as going behind-the-scenes of cutting edge research, meeting scientists who are paving the way for future cures, and hearing from people who have directly benefited from the research we fund.

We have been recognised by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) for our Live Well. Work Well. programme and we’re passionate about creating a mentally healthy workplace for everyone. From lunch time yoga and pilates to mindfulness sessions and team sports, we know there’s more to work than targets and being behind a screen.

Our benefits include, Annual Leave, Eye care, Pension, Employee assistance, a Healthy Work Environment, Childcare vouchers, Life assurance and Long service awards.

Find out more

For further details on the opportunities we could offer you, follow us here on icanbea... for the latest updates and use the links provided to our website.