Community Champion
Community Engagement Co-ordinator
ESS Education and Support Services (CIO)
Location: Community Hub, Langport, Somerset, with outreach across Somerset
Contract: Fixed-term, 12 months, part-time (20 hours per week)
Salary: £15.00 per hour
Start date: As soon as possible
Permanent full-time contract for the right candidate would be considered
About the role
With fresh Big Lottery funding and a committed team, this is an exciting time to join ESS. We are not just sustaining what we have built , we are developing new projects, partnerships, and potential. The Community Coordinator will play a central role in shaping this future, providing the community direction needed to grow our impact, strengthen our foundations, and Coordinator our mission.
You will be the visible and accessible face of our Community Hub in Langport: building relationships, running events, writing funding bids, managing communications, and amplifying the voices of people who need it most.
Key Responsibilities
Community Engagement & Advocacy
- Act as the visible and accessible advocate for the local community.
- Build strong relationships with residents, local groups, charities, schools, councils, and businesses.
- Lead regular open community meetings and drop-in sessions to gather feedback and strengthen collaboration.
- Support and amplify the voices of community members, particularly those facing hardship or exclusion.
Programme Development & Delivery
- Oversee and coordinate the Community Hub's programme of events, groups, workshops, and activities.
- Identify emerging community needs and develop new projects and services to meet them.
- Ensure events and workshops (e.g. cancer and addiction support, digital cafés, employability skills, literacy and numeracy, budgeting, and healthy eating) are well-organised, accessible, and impactful.
- Collaborate with local partners to create and deliver learning opportunities and skill-building workshops.
Fundraising
- Identify and pursue income opportunities including grants, trusts, foundations, corporate sponsorship, and individual giving.
- Write compelling funding proposals, reports, and grant applications tailored to funder requirements and deadlines.
- Maintain a fundraising pipeline and calendar of opportunities.
- Work closely with colleagues to identify projects and impact stories that align with fundraising goals.
Leadership & Coordination
- Head up the Community Committee, facilitating collaboration and decision-making.
- Work closely with the Hub team and wider ESS team to ensure a joined-up approach.
- Document successes, impacts, and learnings to help shape future projects and funding opportunities.
Outreach & Communications
- Manage ESS social media, newsletters, and brand communications for the Hub.
- Improve signposting and access to information about local services.
- Strengthen connections with other community hubs and networks across Somerset.
- Actively promote the Hub's work to increase awareness, footfall, and engagement.
- Safeguarding: This role does not involve regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults and does not require a DBS check. However, all ESS staff are expected to uphold our safeguarding values and report any concerns to the appropriate lead.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
Experience & Skills
- Proven experience in fundraising and/or marketing roles
- Demonstrable success securing income (grants, donations, crowdfunding)
- Excellent persuasive writing skills — funding applications and communications
- Confident with social media, content creation tools, and basic design
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
- Highly organised; able to manage multiple competing deadlines
- Experience coordinating community events, workshops, or programmes
- Ability to identify community needs and develop responsive projects
- Experience of outreach and building partnerships with local organisations
- Marketing and communications experience
Values & Qualities
- Passion for community, social justice, and the values of ESS
- Ability to lead and facilitate groups or committees
- Self-motivated and comfortable working independently
Desirable Criteria
- Experience in the charity or non-profit sector
- Familiarity with CRM tools or supporter databases
- Knowledge of homelessness, mental health, or rural disadvantage
- Ability to use Canva, Adobe Express, or Mailchimp
Why Join Us
- Opportunity to make a real difference in a thriving community hub
- Flexible part-time hours — 20 hours per week
- Supported by Big Lottery funding with exciting growth plans
- Collaborative, passionate, and values-driven team
- Ongoing training and professional development
How to Apply
Please email [email protected]. with your CV. We'll send you the ESS Application Form to complete and return. CVs will only be accepted when accompanied by a completed application form.
ESS is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community
Job Types: Part-time, Temporary
Pay: £15.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
