At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a national initiative to build community and prevent homelessness through church support.
- Company: Hope into Action, empowering local churches to tackle homelessness for over 15 years.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive salary, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Diverse environment with opportunities for personal growth and impactful community engagement.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team and help create lasting change in communities at risk of homelessness.
- Qualifications: Passion for community work, leadership skills, and experience in strategic planning.
The predicted salary is between 33471 - 33471 £ per year.
Are you passionate about how the church can address homelessness? Could you establish and grow an exciting new national initiative to build community and prevent homelessness?
About the role
32 hours per week over 4 days. Salary £33,471 (£41,839 FTE)
Our mission at Hope into Action is to empower the local church to help end homelessness. For over 15 years we’ve developed our model and grown a network in 38 locations. We know that homelessness is more than just house-lessness: people need community and friendship, as well as accommodation.
Our Community Connect pilot project has a big vision: to extend our church-based friendship and support to those at risk of homelessness. The project will complement Hope into Action’s core model of supported housing and aligns directly with the government's strategic emphasis on community-based support to prevent homelessness. You will be instrumental in assisting 3 initial locations (Peterborough, Norwich & Southampton) to pilot the Community Connect programme and will work with the Head of Delivery & Training to create the structures, training and processes necessary to develop and grow it in more locations.
You will support the local Co-ordinators at each location to promote the vision, set up partnerships, recruit volunteers and receive appropriate referrals from local authorities and agencies. There will be a budget to work to and defined goals to deliver as we seek to grow in years 2 & 3 and to see Community Connect launched in more locations.
About you
You will be passionate about our work to empower the church to address homelessness and you share our values. You will be able to work with members of the public, professional bodies and churches. You will be able to work with people with support needs from a wide range of backgrounds. Whilst offering confident leadership for Community Connect, you will be closely liaising with existing Hope into Action staff to ensure the project dovetails well with our core delivery. Additionally, you will have a good understanding of strategic planning as we keep one eye on current provision and the other on future plans for growth and national scalability.
We love diversity and we value your unique skills, strengths, knowledge, and experience. We hope that joining our team will help you realize your potential and help us to raise our performance in empowering those we serve.
About us
Peterborough was where Hope into Action began back in 2011. We are at the forefront of providing excellent quality supported accommodation to those that need it most in the city. Partnering with 11 churches, we currently have 16 homes each serving different demographics and strong relationships with other ministries and local authorities. It’s natural it is one of our initial locations for Community Connect and we’re delighted to be working with Light Project Peterborough on this venture.
Norwich is also a city managed directly by Hope into Action UK. With 11 homes it’s been operating since 2012 and has our most experienced Team Lead.
Our Southampton franchise is led by City Life Church and opened in 2020, it now has 7 homes and runs some other outreach projects to those on the margins, which make it another well suited and prepared location for Community Connect. We believe that homelessness ends in community and that the church has a unique role to play.
Closing date: Friday 4th September 2026
National Lead - Community Connect employer: Homeless Link
YMCA DownsLink Group is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment in the vibrant city of Brighton & Hove. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer ongoing professional development opportunities and a culture that values diversity and collaboration, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land National Lead - Community Connect
✨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 Homeless Link.
✨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 Homeless Link.
✨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 Homeless Link.
✨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 Homeless Link. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace National Lead - Community Connect
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 Homeless Link. 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 National Lead - Community Connect, 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 Homeless Link
✨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 Homeless Link. 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!
