Job Title: Community Health & Wellbeing Officer - Harm Reduction
Salary: £30,000 pro rota
Hours of Work: You will be expected to work a minimum of 30 hours per week, excluding lunch breaks. The role may include evening and weekend hours depending on the need of the programme and wider trust commitments.
Location: Blackburn Rovers Football Club, Ewood Park, Blackburn, BB2 4JF.
Responsible To: Head of Wellbeing & Targeted Services
Contractual Status: Permanent
Closing Date: Monday 6th July 2026
Interview Date: W/C 6th July 2026
Overall purpose of the Job:
Blackburn Rovers Community Trust (BRCT) is the award-winning independent charitable arm of founding member of the EFL and the Premier League - Blackburn Rovers FC.
Using the brand of Blackburn Rovers FC and the power of football and sport for positive social change, we are seeking to appoint a knowledgeable, compassionate, approachable and dynamic, Community Health & Wellbeing Officer - Harm Reduction.
At Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, we believe every individual should have equal opportunity to lead a healthy, active lifestyle, thrive, and achieve their full potential. This role plays a key part in delivering that vision by leading and delivering a structured, community-based harm reduction and wellbeing programme aligned with local Public Health priorities.
The successful candidate will manage and deliver an innovative service designed to support individuals who may be at risk of harm through substance misuse, as well as their families. The programme takes a holistic, inclusive approach, supporting people at all stages of recovery from those in treatment and early recovery through to sustained recovery alongside affected family members.
Through a weekly structured timetable, the programme delivers a range of harm reduction and recovery-focused interventions, combining peer-led support, physical wellbeing activities, and targeted group work. This approach is designed to improve physical and mental health outcomes, reduce substance-related harm, and strengthen both individual resilience and wider community wellbeing.
The role requires a trauma informed, person centred approach, embedding lived experience through peer support and ensuring services are accessible via a flexible, hybrid delivery model. Working collaboratively with local partners, stakeholders, and support services, the role will help create a seamless, integrated system of care.
Overall, the role contributes to key outcomes including increased engagement in recovery services, reduced harm, improved health and wellbeing, stronger family relationships, reduced social isolation, and enhanced community safety, cohesion, and resilience.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Project Management: The post holder will -
Lead on the design and delivery of the Harm Reduction (substance misuse) programme, aligned with Blackburn with Darwen Public Health priorities and existing support pathways.
Deliver a structured weekly timetable of interventions, including peer-led support, physical wellbeing activities, and targeted group work.
Manage and coordinate programme delivery across multiple formats, including:
- Weekly drop-in services
- Workshops and informal education session
- Outreach and detached youth engagement
- Match day and community events
- Digital awareness campaigns
Ensure the programme is inclusive of:
- Individuals at all stages of recovery (treatment, early, sustained)
- Families and support networks
- Attend and contribute to key strategic forums (e.g. Combating Drug Partnership, ROOTs Community Forum, Operational Delivery Groups).
- Support the development and delivery of wider health and wellbeing projects within the Community Wellbeing Hub.
- Undertake additional projects or tasks as directed by senior management.
Operations: The post holder will –
Deliver high-quality, accessible services from the Community Wellbeing Hub at Ewood Park and within community settings.
Ensure the hub operates to an exceptional standard, including:
- Customer experience
- Facility utilisation
- Maintenance and activity planning
- Provide a safe, stigma-free environment for individuals and families affected by substance misuse.
Deliver targeted outreach, including:
- Detached work
- Engagement with vulnerable and at-risk groups
- Facilitate:
- Peer support groups:
- Wellness-based interventions (e.g. football sessions
- Education and awareness activities
- Maintain strong referral pathways into treatment, support services, and recovery programmes.
- Promote a positive image of the organisation and contribute to a supportive team culture.
Finance: The post holder will -
- Maximise the effective use of facilities, staff time, and programme resources through structured delivery planning.
- Identify and develop partnerships that increase service capacity, reach, and value without duplication.
- Support efficient delivery models through integrated working with external agencies.
- Contribute to sustainability by enhancing service visibility, utilisation, and potential funding opportunities.
Data, Insights and Outcomes: The post holder will -
- Lead the monitoring and evaluation of harm reduction programmes and funded projects, ensuring delivery against agreed outcomes, targets, and funding requirements.
- Oversee the collection, analysis, and reporting of qualitative and quantitative data, including outcomes, feedback, case studies, and performance measures, to demonstrate impact and inform decision making.
- Produce mid year/end of year project are specific reports for funders, schools, Exec Team, Senior Leadership Team and Head of service. Ensuring compliance with funding requirements and organisational standards.
- Attend regular internal and external project funding meetings.
- Lead the development of case studies and impact evidence for annual impact reports, funding returns, organisational communications, and social media.
General:
- To always be approachable and represent Blackburn Rovers Community Trust in a professional manner regarding dress, presentation, personal hygiene, attitude, conduct and professionalism.
- To be able to work flexible and unsociable hours where the role of the job requires including some evenings, weekends and overnight stays.
- Be a flexible member of the Blackburn Rovers Community Trust team and when requested, assist in the delivery of other projects and activities including evenings and weekends, holiday camps and matchdays.
- Carry out any other matters referred by the Director of Community and Partnerships and Head of Wellbeing and Targeted Services for specific attention.
- To contribute to a positive working and learning environment.
Person Specification:
Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications
Essential
- Experience delivering community health programmes and support groups.
- The ability to work with participants with complex needs.
- Experience of recruitment activities and the ability to recruit and retain the required number of participants across programmes.
- Knowledge of health and fitness related activities.
- An understating of working with those living with signs and symptoms of poor mental health.
- Knowledge around substance misuse and ability to support the local population who may need specialist interventions.
- Creating partnerships with like-minded organisations.
- To hold a valid UK driving license.
Desirable
- A degree or equivalent level qualification.
- Experience of working within a football club and / or CCO.
- Health & Wellbeing programme development.
- Mental Health First Aid Qualification.
- Safeguarding and risk management experience.
- Monitoring and report writing experience.
Skills
Essential
- Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
- Organisation of programme files, meeting deadlines and meeting KPI’s.
- Due to the varied target audiences across the role the successful candidate must have excellent listening skills and be able to signpost those that require additional support.
- Problem solving and adaptability are essential due to the varied nature of the role.
- Ability to respect confidentiality and act professionally on particular issues.
Desirable
- Computer skills including the ability to operate numerous programmes.
- Using data systems to provide high-quality and informative reports which include powerful case studies.
Qualifications
- Completion of mandatory safeguarding training through education or employment.
Pay: £30,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Canteen
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
