Community Development Coordinator in Basildon

Are you ready to make a real difference in the community for people affected by dementia and their families? We are seeking a Community Development Coordinator with a focus on lived experience and involvement covering the whole of the Essex area. This role builds trusted relationships with people affected by dementia, families and carers to support them to attend workshops, focus groups and community networks. The Alzheimer’s Society is committed to working with people with lived experience to create and adapt services that reflect users’ needs. This role helps embed that value and improve dementia awareness and inclusivity in communities, businesses and with stakeholders.

The successful candidate will work with the team to ensure individuals, local communities and health services have access to vital information about dementia support, keeping lived experience at the forefront in local communities. This is a highly rewarding, outward-facing role focused on building strong relationships across diverse communities. You will engage with people at all levels—from senior healthcare professionals to those affected by dementia, their families and carers—and help reduce health inequalities and improve access to dementia support across Essex. You will join an established, knowledgeable and respected team, sharing learning, insight and best practice.

Responsibilities

• Actively engage with communities across Essex, facilitating and attending community events, local forums and networking opportunities to raise awareness of dementia services.
• Build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, from senior healthcare professionals (delivering presentations and briefings) to community leaders, charities and grassroots organisations.
• Deliver community-specific workshops and awareness sessions, working collaboratively with internal colleagues and external partners.
• Develop strong links with organisations delivering similar or complementary services, helping to create a robust and collaborative local network.
• Influence and motivate individuals and organisations to take action, often encouraging people to work beyond their usual roles to create meaningful, long-term change.
• Gather knowledge from communities—understanding what works, what doesn’t, and why—and use this learning to continuously improve engagement and reduce health inequalities, including those affecting smaller or less visible groups.
• Support and enable community members and volunteers who wish to run groups, events or activities, working alongside and empowering them to take action.
• Work flexibly, including some evening and weekend work, to meet community needs and attend events.

Qualifications

• Confidence and ability to approach and build trusting relationships with a diverse range of organisations and individuals, including unrepresented or seldom-heard groups.
• Skills and ability to coordinate and facilitate groups and workshops.
• Understanding of equity, diversity and health.
• Understanding of dementia or willingness to develop knowledge of its impact on people diagnosed and those who care for them.
• Proactive mindset with motivation to achieve positive, meaningful outcomes.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

We strongly encourage applications from people with a disability, impairment or health condition, and from individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from other minority ethnic backgrounds, as these groups are underrepresented at Alzheimer’s Society. Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Employee Lived Experience networks promote inclusion and belonging. We aim for candidates to bring their whole selves and perform at their best.

Recruitment Notes

To ensure fairness and consistency in selecting the best candidate, all applications are anonymised up to interview confirmation. We recognise the benefits of AI but encourage applicants to reflect on its value. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences and skills in your own voice.

Closing practices: while we try to avoid closing roles early, a high volume of applications may lead to earlier closure than the advertised date. DBS checks may be required at the relevant level due to the nature of some roles. We offer a range of benefits, recognition and flexible working options to support work-life balance.