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- Tasks: Engage with diverse communities and design impactful activities to improve health and care services.
- Company: Healthwatch Sunderland, the independent champion for Health and Social Care.
- Benefits: Part-time role with flexible hours and the chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Be the voice of the community and help shape local health services.
- Qualifications: Passion for community engagement and a full UK driving licence required.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and gain valuable experience in health and social care.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Healthwatch is the independent consumer champion for Health and Social Care. We ensure that NHS and social care leaders hear the voices of those who use their services and use feedback to improve care.
We are looking to recruit an Engagement Officer to join a well‑established team working across and representing the local community within Sunderland. The role involves engaging with diverse communities, designing and evaluating community based engagement activities, and building positive working relationships with organisations within the voluntary and community sector.
Responsibilities- Engage with a wide range of communities of interest.
- Design, deliver and evaluate a range of community based engagement activities.
- Develop effective and positive working relationships with organisations and networks within the voluntary and community sector.
- Gather, analyse and present the views of local people in user‑friendly reports.
- Collaborate with local health and care providers.
- Proactively engage with members of the local community, especially those facing the greatest health inequalities, to listen to and collect feedback.
- Organise and deliver community based engagement activities, including events, workshops and outreach activities.
- Design and evaluate engagement activities that are delivered in the local community.
- Support the analysis of engagement findings and produce and present research reports to a range of audiences.
- Support the delivery of the HWS Youthwatch workplan, including the delivery of Youthwatch meetings.
- Identify opportunities for co‑production and collaboration with key partners to support the delivery of HWS work.
- Facilitate consultation and co‑production activity to ensure voices are heard and acted upon in service design and delivery.
- Support recruitment, support, training and motivation of volunteers.
- Identify and develop effective positive relationships with other organisations, networks and forums.
- Work in partnership with local health and care providers to improve services.
- Contribute to marketing activity via promotional materials, social media, website, press releases, e‑newsletters, etc.
- Attend external meetings, forums and events to represent and promote HWS.
- Support the continued collection and collation of up‑to‑date local information for signposting.
- Lead on dissemination of key and relevant information to residents of Sunderland.
- Provide evidence‑based ideas for the workplan to HWS Advisory board.
- Conduct personal, venue and activity risk assessments as required.
- Work flexibly as part of the Healthwatch team, providing cover for colleagues as required.
- Contribute to recording engagement data into monitoring and reporting systems, including inputting information into databases.
- Access to a car and a full, clean UK driving licence.
- Ability to work outside of office hours on occasion.
- Passion for capturing the voice of local people to improve health and care services.
To book an informal discussion with Anna Gillingham (Project Lead) or Helen Dent (Project Development Manager), please email anna.gillingham@pcp.uk.net or helen.dent@pcp.uk.net.
Closing date for applications: Sunday, 4th January 2026 at midnight.
Healthwatch Sunderland Engagement Officer employer: VONNE (Voluntary Organisations' Network North East)
Contact Detail:
VONNE (Voluntary Organisations' Network North East) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Healthwatch Sunderland Engagement Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the local community! Before your interview, spend some time engaging with Sunderland's diverse groups. This will not only give you insights into their needs but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for scenario-based questions! Think about how you would design and evaluate community engagement activities. Be ready to share examples of how you've built relationships in the past, as this is key for the Engagement Officer role.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for health and social care! During your interview, express your commitment to improving services for local people. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your dedication to capturing community voices.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reinforce your enthusiasm for the position and keep you on their radar.
We think you need these skills to ace Healthwatch Sunderland Engagement Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Engagement Officer. We want to see your passion for engaging with diverse communities and improving health services!
Showcase Your Experience: Use specific examples from your past work or volunteer experiences that demonstrate your ability to design and evaluate community engagement activities. We love seeing real-life applications of your skills!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your writing is easy to read and gets straight to the heart of what you want to convey.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at VONNE (Voluntary Organisations' Network North East)
✨Know Your Community
Before the interview, take some time to research Sunderland and its diverse communities. Understand the specific health inequalities they face and think about how you can engage with them effectively. This will show your passion for the role and your commitment to making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Engagement Skills
Prepare examples of past experiences where you've successfully engaged with communities or organisations. Be ready to discuss how you designed and evaluated engagement activities, as well as how you built positive relationships. This will demonstrate your practical skills and understanding of the role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Collaboration
Collaboration is key in this role, so think about times when you've worked with others to achieve a common goal. Be prepared to share how you’ve facilitated co-production activities or consulted with stakeholders. Highlighting these experiences will show that you can work effectively within a team.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, the team, and the community engagement strategies they currently use. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your values and goals.
