Freelance Design Consultant

St Marys Itchen Stoke Altar windows stained glass

© Victoria Green

Through interpretation, understanding; through understanding, appreciation; through appreciation, protection.

Freeman Tilden

Churches Conservation Trust are seeking an experienced designer and interpretation practitioner to work with our Learning and Interpretation Officer on an Interpretation Toolkit to be used by staff, volunteers and church friends’ groups. The toolkit will help users plan, commission and deliver high-quality interpretation across CCT's estate of more than 350 historic churches.

 Who is the Churches Conservation Trust:

The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) is the national charity caring for historic churches at risk. As the operator of the third largest heritage estate in charitable ownership in the UK, our 358 historic churches include examples of irreplaceable architecture, archaeology and art from 1,000 years of history. CCT has an award-winning reputation in heritage conservation and regeneration.

Our churches are free to access and open to all. For centuries, these special buildings have witnessed personal moments and the collective histories of the local community they sit in. We want them to be explored and enjoyed by everyone, today and for generations to come. By offering all visitors an experience which is memorable, engaging and exciting we can help to secure that future and keep our historic churches open and meaningful for many more years. We welcome people of all faiths and none to engage with the stories and investigate the questions contained in these historic places.

Today, we work with diverse communities across England to encourage the use, enjoyment and appreciation of these important places; a fundamental part of our shared heritage.

Without our care, these buildings might have disappeared entirely. Instead, they are enjoyed as social, tourism, educational and cultural resources, kept open, in use, and living once again in the heart of their communities. CCT’s churches remain consecrated and can be used for occasional worship.

The Brief:

To collaborate with the CCT’s Learning and Interpretation Officer on the research, writing and design of an Interpretation Toolkit. This Toolkit will offer guidance and support to CCT staff, volunteers and church friends’ groups in the planning, creating and installing of engaging and memorable interpretation. The toolkit will be visually engaging and include graphics to illustrate concepts.

This toolkit has two key purposes: 

1. For community members, volunteers and friends’ groups to take pride in and celebrate their CCT church and its history. The toolkit will guide them through the collaborative and creative process of designing interpretation in a fun and engaging way which aids in supporter satisfaction. The toolkit should be easily accessible for all different audiences including people with no experience of interpretation. Our supporters should be able to see themselves and what they care about represented in the finished interpretation.
2. To ensure that the interpretation found across the CCT estate is consistent; at a high standard and adds to the visitor experience. CCT’s interpretation should encourage visitors to:

• Learn: the history of the building and local area; why the building should be protected; about the CCT and how they support historic churches and their communities across the country.
• Feel:a connection to the building, it’s artwork and stories; an appreciation for local history; inspired to visit other CCT churches; motivated to protect heritage.
• Do: discover more about the important work of the CCT; donate to the CCT and/or become a member/volunteer.

Project outcomes: 

The successful consultant will take the lead on the visual and graphic design elements of the project. They will work with the Learning and Interpretation Officer to deliver:

• A professionally designed Interpretation Toolkit.
• Editable source files and templates.
• A suite of practical tools, checklists and planning templates.
• Guidance suitable for staff, volunteers and community groups with varying levels of interpretation experience.
• Recommendations that align with CCT's conservation principles and brand guidelines.
• A resource that can support future project development and funding applications.

The Toolkit will: 

• Offer guidance for CCT staff, volunteers and consultants on planning, creating and delivering good interpretation at their CCT church.
• Be used for future interpretation at CCT sites.
• Explain what interpretation is, what is good interpretation and why it is important.
• Have step-by-step guidance on how to deliver good quality interpretation.
• Have a menu of different interpretation options.
• Include tips on how to make interpretation more accessible.
• Guide readers through finding and working with suppliers
• Signpost to funding opportunities.
• Be written in a concise, accessible and visually exciting manner.
• Reflect CCT’s current brand strategy.
• Be used to inform proposed funding applications.
• Provide guidance on how to evaluate interpretation.
• Include good examples of high-quality and varied interpretation.
• Not infringe copyright and have the correct permissions.
• Provide links to further interpretation information from other sources.

Other considerations:

• CCT’s churches remain consecrated and are used for occasional worship.
• CCT’s churches are also often used for a variety of different events including music, theatre and community engagement.
• All churches in our care are listed, mostly Grade I and II*, and some are Scheduled Ancient Monuments, and we follow a minimal intervention conservation philosophy.
• Each of our collection of 350+ historic places of worship are unique, a one size to interpretation for all approach will not work.
• Our church cover over 1000 years of history, architecture and changes in their community and settings.
• The CCT operates an Open Door Policy.

Most of our sites:

• Do not have running water, toilets and heating;
• Are unstaffed/unstewarded by staff or volunteers and there are no plans for this to change in the future;
• Do not have Wi-Fi;
• Are in rural settings.

Person specification: 

Essential qualities and experience:

• Excellent graphic design and publication layout skills.
• Experienced in using InDesign or other graphic design software.
• Demonstrable experience creating attractive, accessible and impactful toolkits/ guides.
• Experience of working with communities and volunteers.
• Experience or knowledge of good interpretation practice
• Experience or knowledge of the museum/ culture and heritage sector.
• Great communication skills and experience in collaborative working.
• Great time-keeping and organisational skills.

As an organisation Churches Conservation Trust is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforce. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Your application should demonstrate:

• A clear understanding of the brief, considerations and objectives.
• A clear understanding of who the CCT are, their work and current brand.
• How you meet the person specifications listed above.
• Your methodology/ approach for this project.

CCT is guided by a set of T.R.U.S.T values: Transparency, Respect, United, Supportive and Tenacity which underpin everything we do. Your application should show evidence of how you have upheld these values in previous roles.

Schedule: 

Deadline for Interest – Friday 2nd October.

Selection – Three candidates will be informed they have been selected for interview by Friday 9th October. Interviews will take place on Tuesday 13th October and Friday 16th October.

Project start – Monday 26th October.

Project duration- 4 months.

Fee and budget 

The successful candidate will be paid £7000 and be required to meet regularly with the Learning and Interpretation Officer; on average, twice a week for one hour for the duration of the project (32 hours). They will also be expected to independently work on the toolkit for approximately 6 hours per week for the 4-month duration (96 hours).

128 hours total at a rate of £54.68/ hour.

How to apply 

Please send your application to Gabrielle Dryden, Learning and Interpretation Officer, gdryden@thecct.org.uk by Friday 2nd October 2026:

If you require this information in another format; to submit your application in another format or if you have any questions, please contact gdryden@thecct.org.uk