Community Development Worker

Community Development Worker

We are looking for a Community Development Worker to work on the Heath Common Traveller site in Wakefield. You will build trusted relationships with members and residents, as well as other community members across the district increasing the engagement offer. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a growing organisation delivering social change.

Position:Community Development Worker

Location: Remote at Heath Common Traveller site with some office working in Leeds

Hours: Part-time, 21 hours per week

Salary: £23,396 per annum pro rata

Contract: Until August 2026

Benefits: Generous Annual Leave, 14 Bank Holidays Annually, Special Leave and Flexible Working Policies, Employee Assistance Scheme with Health Assured, up to 5% match pension contributions, Free Parking, Bike Parking and a 15-minute walk from the city centre.

Closing Date: 26th January 2024

The Role

Working on the Heath Common Traveller site in Wakefield you will build trusted relationships with members, residents and families living on site, with plans to engage with other sites, yards and community members across the Wakefield district, in houses and potentially roadside.

This role aims to increase engagement and offers on site at Heath Common as well as wider Wakefield District.

Through your relationships you will gain understanding of people’s strengths, interests and hobbies, whilst also building up knowledge of the needs of support, barriers and issues faced by Gypsies and Travellers.

As a Community Development Worker you will help to develop and create opportunities to engage the community, such as activities and group work, thinking how these can help people to share their ideas, develop their skills, build confidence and empower them, as well as improving health and wellbeing outcomes to enable better lives.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Works in a supportive and empowering manor, working with trainees and volunteers.
• Has a non-judgmental attitude and approach.
• Is a good organiser.
• Is open to trying new ideas and accepting they may not work.
• Can reflect on what has worked well and what hasn’t and why, then record this verbally and in written form.
• Knowledge and experience of working in a safeguarding framework including supporting vulnerable adults at risk.
• Understanding of the principles underpinning Community Development.
• Has experience that is applicable to this role (directly or indirectly) - you can tell us more about what this is and how it relates to the role in your application.

About the Organisation

You will be joining a vibrant and brave grassroots organisation led by Gypsy and Traveller people in West Yorkshire. This is an established and award-winning civil society organisation with a national profile. Recognised as being innovative, brave and creative. The overall aim of the charity is to improve the quality of life for Gypsies and Travellers through addressing inequalities in homes, health, education, and employment, financial and social inclusion. There are a number of community-facing and strategic projects to achieve aims including advocacy, Community Development and youth work.

Pension and benefits include:

• Flexible working policy including flexitime, hybrid and home working
• Inclusive special leave and family friendly policies
• Enhanced maternity and adoption leave and pay policies
• 5% employer pension contribution
• 28 days annual leave (rising to 33 after 5 years) + 14 bank holidays (pro-rata)
• Access to counselling and 24/7 confidential staff helpline though our EAP provider Health Assured.
• Team building and organisational staff away days
• Learning and development opportunities

You may also have experience in areas such as Community, Engagement, Community Engagement, Community Officer, Engagement Officer, Community Engagement Officer, Community Worker, Engagement Worker, Community Engagement Worker, Community Liaison.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.