At a Glance
- Tasks: Connect with communities to improve access to hospice care and support.
- Company: Farleigh Hospice, a compassionate organisation dedicated to equitable palliative care.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Join an innovative Macmillan-funded programme focused on inclusion and equity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and influence hospice services for the better.
- Qualifications: Experience with diverse communities and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 52800 £ per year.
Help us make hospice care accessible to everyone
Farleigh Hospice is a high performing organisation providing specialist palliative and end of life care for people with life limiting illness in the Mid Essex region.
Our team at Farleigh has grown and evolved to meet the changing needs of the community weserveand we are looking for highly motivated Community Connector to join our team.
At Farleigh Hospice, we believe that everyone affected by cancer and life-limiting illness should have equal access to compassionate, person-centred care.
Yet we know that some communities face barriers to accessing hospice support, often resulting in poorer experiences and later referrals to services.
Thanks to funding from Macmillan Cancer Support, we are recruiting passionate and motivated Community Connectors to work alongside an identified under-represented community such as LGBTQ+ communities, people with learning disabilities, or cultural and faith groups.
This is a unique opportunity to help shapea new approachto community engagement, improve equity of access to care, and ensure that the voices of local communities influence how hospice services are developed and delivered.
About the Role
As a Community Connector, you will build trusted relationships within your identified community, helping people affected by cancer and life-limiting illness to understand and access hospice support earlier in their journey.
You will work closely with community organisations, leaders, volunteersand people with lived experience to:
- Raise awareness and understanding of hospice and cancer support services.
- Challenge myths, stigmaand misconceptions around hospice care.
- Support people and families to access services and navigate care pathways.
- Gather insight from communities about their experiences, needsand barriers.
- Co-design community-led activities and conversations that matter to local people.
- Help Farleigh Hospice learn, adaptand become more culturally responsive and inclusive.
Most importantly, you will act as a bridge between communities and services, ensuring that people's voices are heard and that services better reflect the needs of those they serve.
About You
We are looking for someone who is passionate about reducing inequalities and improving outcomes for people who may not traditionally access support.
You may come from a health, social care, community development, voluntarysectoror advocacy background.
What matters most is your ability to connect with people, build trust and champion inclusion.
You will have
- Experience of working with diverse communities or under-represented groups.
- Excellent relationship-building and communication skills.
- A strong commitment to equality, diversityand inclusion.
- An understanding of the challenges people can face in accessing health and support services.
- The confidence to work independently whilst collaborating effectively with partners and colleagues.
- A genuine interest in listening to communities and turning learning into meaningful change.
We would particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience, strong links to local communities, or experience working with LGBTQ+, learning disability, culturally diverse or faith communities.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of an innovative Macmillan-funded programme.
- Make a tangible difference to people's experiences of care and support.
- Influence how hospice services are developed in partnership with local communities.
- Work in a values-driven organisation committed to equity, inclusionand compassionate care.
- Help create lasting improvements in access, understanding and outcomes for people affected by cancer and life-limiting illness.
We offer a great working environment, a competitive pay and benefit package, flexibleworkinganda strong teamto support you.
Farleigh Hospice is committed to creating an inclusive working environment where diversity is recognised and celebrated.
To achievethiswe welcome applications from all sections of the community.
Farleigh Hospice operates a three-month probation period. Positions may be subject to DBS Disclosure. Charity Registration No: 284670
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Community Connector in Chelmsford employer: Farleigh Hospice
Farleigh Hospice is an exceptional employer, dedicated to providing a supportive and nurturing environment for its staff in Chelmsford. With a strong emphasis on personal development and educational opportunities, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while making a meaningful impact in the lives of patients and families. The collaborative work culture fosters teamwork and innovation, making it an ideal place for those passionate about palliative care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Connector in Chelmsford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Farleigh Hospice.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Farleigh Hospice!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Farleigh Hospice, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Farleigh Hospice or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Connector in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Farleigh Hospice:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Farleigh Hospice! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Farleigh Hospice
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
