Community Connector

This is a fixed-term role for 3 years, funded by WMDC as part of the Healthy and Sustainable Communities.

About The Role

The Featherstone Rovers Foundation is looking for a passionate and proactive Community Connector to join their team. This exciting new role, developed in collaboration with local stakeholders, is all about fostering healthy, sustainable communities in Featherstone and Streethouse. The shared goal is to reduce health inequalities and ensure every resident has access to opportunities that promote good health and wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage directly with residents through outreach to understand their needs and identify areas for improvement in local services.
• Build and nurture relationships with local residents, groups, and community resources to foster strong partnerships.
• Strengthen collaboration among organisations in Featherstone and Streethouse, creating a more responsive community support network.
• Map local assets, services, and organisations to pinpoint strengths, identify gaps, and uncover opportunities for effective collaboration.
• Facilitate ongoing communication and meetings with local stakeholders, sharing insights, supporting decision-making, and establishing valuable networks such as a School Learning Mentors network.
• Lead the creation and distribution of a clear, accessible community newsletter and event timetable across various media to improve local knowledge of services.
• Develop and implement innovative initiatives focused on promoting health and wellbeing in the community through strategic partnerships.
• Contribute to district-wide improvements and shared learning by actively connecting with other Community Connectors.
• Represent Featherstone and Streethouse in local forums and within district-wide community connector network.

Communication

• Speak and write clearly to connect with everyone in the community and with partner organisations.
• Confidently create newsletters and other materials to keep the community informed.
• Show how we're responding to community needs (e.g., "You said... we did").

Creativity & Innovation

• ‍‍‍‍Use initiative and solve daily problems creatively.
• Adapt your approach based on community needs and feedback.

Contacts & Relationships

• ‍‍Build strong relationships with residents of all ages, community groups, and partners.
• Work closely with services in Featherstone and Streethouse to improve their impact.

Decision-Making

• ‍‍Make informed decisions on your own within your responsibilities.
• Ask for help when facing difficult or unusual situations.

Resources

• ‍‍Look after data systems and ensure they're used correctly.
• Keep all information confidential and follow data protection rules.

Work Demands

• ‍‍Manage competing tasks and switch between different work areas easily.
• Work flexibly, including some evenings and weekends, for community events.

Knowledge & Skills

• ‍‍Knowledge of the Featherstone and Streethouse communities, would be desirable.
• Understand health inequalities and how to help people access services.
• Able to work with various groups, including health professionals, schools, and local charities.
• Skilled in gathering and sharing community information to help with local planning.
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Person Specification

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

Essential:

• ‍‍Hands-on experience of working with and engaging local communities.
• Understanding of how social, economic, and environmental factors affect people's health and wellbeing and how to help people access services.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships and partnerships with various organisations, services, and community groups.
• Excellent people skills and the ability to listen well and respond appropriately.
• Good computer skills, especially with Microsoft Office programs.
• Strong skills in writing reports, sharing information, and collecting data.
• 4 GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above. One to be English Language.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities or situations.
• Ready to take on tasks as needed, even if they're outside of your usual duties.
• Able to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.
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Desirable:

• ‍‍Experience of running community projects.
• Knowledge of the Featherstone and Streethouse communities.
• Experience of organising local events or community activities.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to travel effectively for work.
• Living locally in the Featherstone and Streethouse area.
• Ability to speak other languages to help engage with more people in the community.
• Up-to-date safeguarding knowledge and a clear understanding of how to keep everyone in the community safe (Safeguarding training will be provided, if necessary).

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Please note: The successful candidate will need to pass an enhanced DBS check.