At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with the community to build relationships and support recovery initiatives.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering change.
- Benefits: Flexible working, training opportunities, wellbeing days, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Other info: Part-time role with excellent career development potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and help shape a vibrant recovery community.
- Qualifications: Experience in community engagement and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 20640 - 20640 £ per year.
Location: Northamptonshire
Salary: £20,640 per annum
This is a 3 year fixed-term contract from April 2026 ending in March 2029. This is a part-time role (28 hours per week), with the salary pro rata to reflect the reduced working hours.
About the Role
We are looking for an enthusiastic and community-focused LERO Community Engagement Worker to support the development of an independent Lived Experience Recovery Organisation (LERO) in North Northamptonshire. This role is central to building strong, meaningful relationships across the community and ensuring the LERO is shaped by the voices, strengths and aspirations of people with lived experience. You will play a key part in engaging local groups, networks and stakeholders, helping to grow a vibrant and inclusive recovery community. Working within a co-design and co-production approach, you will support the LERO to respond directly to community needs, recognising and building on existing skills, assets and experiences. You will also act as a visible advocate for lived experience, representing the LERO at local forums and strategic meetings to ensure these voices are heard at all levels. You will work closely with the LERO Coordinator and the volunteer-led Leadership Committee, supporting partnership development with local and national organisations, stakeholders and contract partners. Together, you will help guide the LERO toward becoming an independent and self-sustaining organisation within three years.
About You
You are a confident communicator and relationship-builder who is passionate about community development and lived experience-led approaches. You are comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, and you thrive on connecting people, organisations and ideas. You will have:
- Experience of engaging with community organisations, networks or forums
- Proven ability to build and maintain effective partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders
- A strong understanding of lived experience recovery organisations, peer support, and community-led approaches
- Excellent communication and representation skills, with the confidence to advocate at a strategic level
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills
- The ability to be self-motivated while contributing positively to a team environment
- Experience of facilitating groups or delivering training
- Experience of collecting, recording and analysing data for reporting and evaluation purposes
- A good understanding of service user-led support groups and their role in sustaining recovery
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and databases
- A strong awareness of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
- Experience of remote working
Above all, you will be committed to amplifying lived experience voices and helping to build a connected, empowered and sustainable recovery community.
About Us
We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community. We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important.
Joining us as an employee, we will offer you the following benefits:
- Flexible working
- Training and development opportunities
- Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
- Season Ticket Loan Scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Crisis Loan Scheme
- Electric Car Scheme
- 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
- Access to Blue Light Card
- 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
- Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter
- Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
- Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.
LERO Community Engagement Worker in Northampton employer: Forward Trust
The Forward Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals through community engagement and support. Located in Northamptonshire, we offer a flexible working environment, comprehensive training and development opportunities, and a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, including generous annual leave and various health schemes. Join us to make a meaningful impact while growing within a supportive and inclusive culture that values lived experience and community-led approaches.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land LERO Community Engagement Worker in Northampton
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Forward Trust.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Forward Trust.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Forward Trust.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Forward Trust. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace LERO Community Engagement Worker in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Forward Trust. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like LERO Community Engagement Worker, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Forward Trust
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Forward Trust. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
