At a Glance
- Tasks: Recruit and support members to take action on social issues in Leeds.
- Company: Join ACORN, a community union fighting for low-income people's rights.
- Benefits: Enjoy professional development, training, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while empowering women and fighting injustice.
- Qualifications: No formal qualifications needed; just bring your passion and motivation!
- Other info: This is a 12-month fixed-term contract with potential for extension.
The predicted salary is between 22932 - 23182 £ per year.
Want to fight for low-income people in a supportive and exciting work environment? Come and work with us!
ACORN is a mass membership organisation and a direct action community union. By taking action on issues that affect us, we win real changes to our lives and in our communities.
ACORN is looking for a Community Organiser to build power to fight for social and economic change in Leeds, starting on 28th July, 2025! This role has a specific focus on organising with women across Leeds. As such, it is a requirement that applicants for this position are women.
About the job
As an Organiser with ACORN, you will be responsible for recruiting, developing and supporting members to take action on issues affecting them and the communities they come from. This could mean stopping evictions, winning housing repairs or safe accommodation for our members, or fighting for fair treatment at work.
Your daily work will involve:
- Recruiting individual ACORN members, particularly women, through in person outreach, online interaction and other means (door-knocking, street stalls and other community outreach takes up around half of our organisers’ time).
- Evaluating whether ACORN can support someone (e.g. a person whose landlord is refusing to make repairs), and empower them to take action to confront injustice, including building a team of ACORN members to stand up for each other.
- Building new and maintaining existing ACORN groups and teams, including through organising drives.
- Identifying and taking action on issues that affect our members and their communities, particularly those affecting women.
ACORN is committed to investing in the continued professional development of our organising staff. All staff are provided with a full week of community organising training when they first start the job followed by close supervisory support during their probation period to ensure they have the confidence and skills necessary to develop as a community organiser. Regular training sessions are delivered beyond the probationary period in order to promote the continuous personal and professional development of the organising team.
No formal qualifications are necessary! We’re primarily looking for women with a strong work ethic, good listening skills and the ability to motivate others.
This role is a 12 months fixed-term contract, with the view to be extended depending on funding.
Salary: £22,932pa, Real Living Wage, rising to £23,182pa after probation passed.
Contact Detail:
Volunteer Centre Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Leeds Community Organiser
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with ACORN's mission and values. Understanding their focus on community organising, particularly for women, will help you align your approach during the interview and demonstrate your commitment to their cause.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with local community issues in Leeds before your interview. Being knowledgeable about current challenges faced by low-income individuals, especially women, will show your dedication and readiness to take action.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in community engagement or activism. Highlight any relevant volunteer work or initiatives you've been involved in that showcase your ability to motivate and support others.
✨Tip Number 4
Practice your outreach skills. Since a significant part of the role involves direct interaction with community members, consider role-playing scenarios where you recruit and support individuals, ensuring you convey empathy and empowerment.
We think you need these skills to ace Leeds Community Organiser
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Community Organiser position. Highlight key skills such as good listening abilities and a strong work ethic in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect relevant experiences that align with the role. Emphasise any previous community work, outreach experience, or roles where you motivated others, particularly focusing on your ability to support women in the community.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for social and economic change. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you can contribute to ACORN's mission and the importance of community organising.
Follow Submission Guidelines: Ensure your application form is saved as a PDF with the correct naming format (e.g., JANE SMITH LeedsCommunityOrganiser.pdf). Double-check that all required documents are included before submitting your application through our website.
How to prepare for a job interview at Volunteer Centre
✨Know Your Community
Familiarise yourself with the specific issues affecting low-income communities in Leeds, especially those impacting women. This will show your commitment and understanding of the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion
Be prepared to share personal experiences or motivations that drive your passion for community organising. Authenticity can resonate well with interviewers.
✨Highlight Your Listening Skills
Since the role requires good listening skills, be ready to discuss how you've effectively listened to others in past experiences. Provide examples of how this has helped you support or motivate individuals.
✨Prepare Questions
Think of insightful questions to ask about ACORN's initiatives and training opportunities. This shows your interest in the organisation and your eagerness to grow within the role.