Apply by: Monday 3rd August 2026. However, please submit your application as soon as possible, as we may close this role ahead of the advertised deadline if we find the right candidate.
Join our work to support our communities to thrive
Do you believe in the power of community? Are you passionate about helping people connect, build on their strengths, and create positive change where they live?
We are looking for a Community Development Worker to join our team, supporting individuals, groups, and communities to identify what matters most to them and turn local ideas into action.
Working alongside residents, partners and volunteers, you will help to nurture community-led initiatives, strengthen local networks, and create opportunities for people to develop the confidence, skills and resources they need to make a lasting difference. Through listening, relationship-building, and collaboration, you will play a key role in helping communities thrive and to eunsure local voices shape the activities and opportunities we develop together.
About you
- You are passionate about building stronger communities and have a proven track record of working collaboratively with local people, organisations, and partners to create positive impact.
- With at least two years’ experience in a community-focused role, you understand the importance of meaningful engagement and inclusive participation.
- You are a creative problem-solver who enjoys connecting with people, building trusted relationships, and finding practical solutions to challenges.
- You thrive in a collaborative environment and have experience contributing to the delivery of high-quality, innovative projects and initiatives.
- Reflective and self-motivated, you take ownership of your work while also valuing the strengths of those around you. As a supportive team player, you are committed to continuous learning, shared success and making a real difference in the communities you work in.
About us
Southmead Development Trust is a Bristol-based charity made up of staff, volunteers, and residents working together to keep power in our community. We work alongside local people and partners to improve health, wellbeing, employment, and local pride – while tackling social isolation and bringing investment into the area.
Guided by residents, our vision is a thriving and healthy community. We provide the support, spaces, and services our community needs through our two well-loved sites, Greenway Centre and The Ranch Adventure Playground and Youth Space. These venues host a wide range of activities, including wellbeing services, youth and play sessions, fitness classes, community groups, and local celebrations.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and welcome applications from everyone. We are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of our community. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process or in the workplace, just let us know – we will do our best to support you.
About the Role
- As part of our creative and diverse Community Development Team, you will play a vital role in helping people and communities thrive. Supporting projects such as our successful Techy Tea Party and growing Repair Café, as well as contributing to new outreach initiatives, you will help to ensure that local voices shape the activities and opportunities we create together.This is a role for someone who believes in the strengths, talents and potential that already exist within communities. You will spend time listening, connecting and building relationships, helping people to develop the confidence, skills and support they need to bring ideas to life. From nurturing new initiatives to strengthening existing networks, you will sustain activity so it can grow roots to make a lasting difference.
Details
- Location: Greenway Centre, Bristol, BS10 5PY
- Contract: Permanent
- Salary: £29,239.25 – £30,420.50 (yearly, in proportion to hours) depending on experience
- Hours: 22.5 per week, with paid overtime opportunitites
- Reports to: Community Development Manager
- Holiday: 33 days annual leave (inclusive of Bank Holidays) in proportion to hours
- Sick Pay: 4 weeks over rolling year, in proportion to hours
- Training and Development Opportunities: All mandatory training and job-specific training offered, e.g. First Aid, Safeguarding, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed and Reflectice Practice
- Pension Contribution: Nest Pension Scheme, combined 7% (employer 3%, employee 4% as standard)
- Benefits: Free membership to Greenway Gym and classes, cycle to work scheme, cafe discount
- How to apply: Please email your CV, along with a cover letter describing how your experience is relevant to the responsibilities of the role and how you meet the essential criteria, to: [email protected]
- Interview process: If you are successful in the shortlisting stage, you will be invited to an in-person interview. This will consist of a series of questions, a short community development related task, and an admin task
- Deadline: 9am, Monday 3rd August (interviews are expected to take place on Tuesday 11th August)
- Contact: To arrange a chat or visit our site in person, contact Lucille Smith, tel: 0117 950 3335 or email: [email protected]
Key Responsibilities:
- To strengthen the capacity of equalities, community led groups, and communities through rebuilding community connections and community action
- To work with and support resident-focused community-based groups or activities to help our communities thrive.
- Work with equalities-led groups and people experiencing the greatest inequality, to build community connections and action Help the Trust understand what impact we have across different communities and how our work can be developed to improve practice and reach
- To take an asset-based community development approach, working with communities to make connections, and build conversations and participation in the local community. Including working with individuals, organsaitons, Trust staff and groups
- To lead on coordinating regular door-to-door or pop-up outreach exercises across the community, gathering community intelligence to maximise impact, particularly targeting those most isolated following the pandemic
- Work together with colleagues to map and build relationships with community groups, organisations, and community leaders in Southmead, to build on and strengthen existing energy and skills
- To contribute to community communications, highlight community work and offer opportunities to be involved in
- To support the design and delivery of events that bring people together across the community, supporting residents’ input and leadership wherever possible
Digital and Economic inclusion
- Work with colleagues across the Trust and external partners to ensure that people across the community are able to access digital resources and support, and are effectively using new digital skills to achieve their own community or enterprise ambitions
- Oversee Techy Tea Party supporting community volunteers/champions to support others with digital skills in its locations at Greenway and across the community
- Lead and grow Southmead Repair Café, recruiting and supporting volunteer repairers, reducing waste, and turning practical skill-sharing into a focal point for community connection
Community groups
- Support existing groups to be accessible and sustainable, working with infrastructure support partners to refer groups for, and to improve accessibility to, existing support. Help ensure colleagues can refer to strong, thriving local community groups
- Work with community members to establish new groups and activities – working closely with our Volunteer Coordinator
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
- Champion EDI in everything from outreach planning to event design, making sure underrepresented voices actively shape the Trust’s work rather than simply being consulted on it
- Partner with Horizon’s Disability Friendship Group and other disability-focused organisations to remove barriers to participation – ensuring community activities, venues and communications are genuinely accessible
Climate Action and Sustainability
- Support and grow local energy-saving and climate action groups – connecting residents with practical ways to cut costs and carbon, while building community resilience to the climate crisis
Impact reporting
- To keep accurate records of work completed, collect monitoring information, and prepareg progress reports – to support the Community Development Manager with key performance indicators and funding reports
Professional development
- Work with line manager to undertake continual personal and professional development, taking an active part in reviewing and developing roles and responsibilities
General responsibilities (all staff):
- Follow all Trust policies, procedures, and safeguarding requirements
- Model our values: Welcoming, Collaborative, Resourceful
- Work proactively, use initiative, and collaborate well with colleagues and the community
- Maintain confidentiality, data protection standards, and a safe, inclusive environment
- Take part in training, development, staff meetings, and occasional evening/weekend work when required
- Carry out any other reasonable duties to support the organisation
Essential Criteria:
- Experience of working in a community-based way to facilitate and amplify the energy and skills of residents
- Experience of coordinating and facilitating meetings and focus groups
- Experience of working with people from diverse backgrounds
- Experience of working in partnership
- Experience of team working
- Experience of digital inclusion, tech support, or skills-sharing initiatives (e.g. repair, IT drop-ins) with community members
- Experience promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, ideally including work with disabled people or disability-focused organisations
- Excellent communication and English skills, both written and verbal
- Understanding of community development principles and strength-based approaches
- Able to demonstrate the skills of successful project work
- Good facilitation skills
- Knowledge of community and statutory services, both local and city wide
- Excellent administrative skills
- Confident, everyday IT and digital skills, with the ability to troubleshoot common problems and explain them clearly to non-technical users
- Understanding of EDI principles in practice, and an interest in climate action and sustainability at a community level
Desirable Criteria:
- An understanding of Safeguarding and Health and Safety issues
- An understanding of Data Protection principles
- Local knowledge and understanding of our communities and residents of Southmead
- Awareness of disability inclusion good practice, ideally through links with organisations such as Horizon’s DFG
- Practical repair, maintenance, or fixing skills suitable for running a Repair Café
- Awareness of the factors that affect the health and well-being of a community
Pay: £29,239.25-£30,420.50 per year
Work Location: In person
