Charity Community Engagement Officer – Full job description

About Positive Change:

Positive Change is a grassroots UK-registered charity based in the London Borough of Hounslow. We provide support, friendship and companionship to people experiencing social isolation and loneliness. Many of our beneficiaries are vulnerable adults, so compassion and respect sit at the heart of everything we do.

We’ve recently been awarded funding by the National Lottery Community fund to recruit a Community Engagement Officer. This is a part-time role, working 21 hours a week (3 days a week). While this is a temporary position for 12 months, we do expect this role to become permanent and potentially full time, depending on funding.

About the Role:

This is not a desk-based role. You will spend much of your time out in the community, meeting people, promoting Positive Change and the work we do. You will also be supporting both beneficiaries and volunteers.

Key responsibilities include:

• Support a small number of beneficiaries directly each week, where you’ll provide companionship, helping them access the community, go for a walk or assist them in carrying out some light shopping.
• Refer beneficiaries to third sector organisations, the local authority and other community-based services. (An understanding of Hounslow’s voluntary and community sector would be advantageous)
• Organise your time by carrying out interviews & DBS checks with potential volunteers (often in coffee shops). You’ll need to be confident and comfortable meeting new people.
• Promote Positive Change across the Borough by distributing leaflets, posters and flyers in key community spaces such as GP surgeries, coffee shops and supermarkets.
• Attend occasional community events, third sector and council meetings as a representative of Positive Change
• Actively recruit volunteers while supporting beneficiaries on a one-to-one basis

About You:

We are looking for someone who is warm, approachable and community focused. You should be confident engaging with people from all walks of life and motivated to make a real difference in Hounslow.

Essential qualities and skills:

• Excellent people and communication skills
• Empathy, patience and attention to detail
• Confidence in carrying out in-person assessments, often in people’s homes
• Ability to build rapport quickly with strangers
• IT literate, including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and Gmail
• A full UK driving licence and access to a car (mileage reimbursed at 45p per mile)
• Willingness to be proactive when promoting our services in the community

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Hounslow’s communities and demographics
• Previous experience in a similar role (though not essential – the right attitude and passion for people are more important!)

How to Apply:

If you would like to apply, please send us:

• Your CV
• A cover letter (no more than 500 words) explaining why you are the ideal candidate for this role

Please do not use any AI tools to write your cover letter, they’re far too obvious and we have tools in place to check this. We value authenticity!

Be yourself, be real and tell us why you would be the best candidate for this role.

Please note, applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: £13.85 per hour

Expected hours: 21 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Work from home

Licence/Certification:

• Driving license with access to a car (required)

Location:

• Hounslow TW5 0AX (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Hounslow TW5 0AX