Job Title: Community Development Worker
Reporting to: Chair of the Board
Salary: £15.50
Hours: 15-20 hours per week. We are flexible on hours and work pattern, however there will be a mix of day, evening and weekend work required.
Contract: 11 month fixed term contract (with the hope to extend with further funding)
Requirements: Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle required.
About Lumsden Community Association:
Lumsden Community Association is a volunteer-run charity group that supports community life in the rural village of Lumsden and the surrounding area. The Association looks after the village green and community toilets as well as Lumsden Village Hall, keeping it open as a shared space where local people can meet, take part in activities, and hold events.
The Association is managed by a small committee of local volunteers who give their time to oversee bookings, organise activities, maintain the building, and plan for the future. We work hard to make sure the hall is well cared for, financially sustainable, and we consult with residents about what they want and need and build partnerships with other groups and service providers.
We have a clear three-year plan to make the building become the heart of the community and ensure it becomes a sustainable, well-used space for local people as well as work with the local community and other organisations to make Lumsden as good as it can be for everyone.
Our vision is to improve the lives and community spirit of Lumsden by creating opportunities for people to come together, support one another, and take part in local activities. We aim to make the hall a vibrant, inclusive hub that can host events, groups, services, and social activities for all ages.
As a small rural organisation, we rely on volunteer effort, income from hall hires, fundraising, and grant support to cover running costs and make improvements. Funding allows us to carry out essential maintenance, improve access and energy efficiency, and expand what we can offer to the community.
The Role:
As our Community Development Worker, you'll work with individuals, families, groups and the wider community. You'll work alongside the people of Lumsden and surrounding area to identify needs, clarify aims, build on strengths and take action to improve their lives and community where needed. Working with individuals, families, and community groups, you'll address inequalities and tackle issues affecting our rural community.
You'll build partnerships with a wide range of other local authority and voluntary sector organisations to support the people and place of Lumsden to thrive.
Responsibilities:
* Set up community activities and groups, involving local people in the design and development and delivery with the aims to reduce poverty and inequality, isolation and loneliness and build the capacity of the people of Lumsden.
* Work on projects tackling specific issues (e.g. mental wellbeing, public transport etc)
* Seek to actively engage communities in making sense of the issues which affect their lives
* Identify community skills, assets, issues and needs
* Ensure that local people have their say
* Evaluate the work being undertaken
* Build links with other groups and agencies
* Help to raise public awareness on issues relevant to the community
* Prepare reports
* Supporting the Board with fund raising
* Liaise with interested groups and individuals to set up new services
* Plan, attend and coordinate meetings and events
* Oversee the management of a limited budget
* Carry out general administrative duties
The Candidate
Experience
* Experience of working directly with communities or service users
* Experience of engaging people from diverse backgrounds, including seldom heard groups
* Experience of planning and delivering activities, groups, or events and an awareness of inclusive activity design
* Experience of working in partnership with other organisations or stakeholders, including signposting or referrals
* Experience of recordkeeping, monitoring, and basic reporting and the ability to collect evidence and measure outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
* Understanding of safeguarding, equality, and confidentiality
* Understanding of barriers faced by disadvantaged or marginalised communities
* Knowledge of local services, support networks, or statutory agencies
* Understanding of community development approaches (e.g. empowerment, participation, coproduction)
* Understanding the difference between doing for vs doing with communities
* Insight into how trauma, isolation, or discrimination affects engagement
* Understanding basic risk assessment and health & safety
* Understanding how to adapt delivery to community feedback
* Understanding collaboration vs duplication of services
Skills
* Able to encourage people to take control of their lives
* Ability to ask the right questions to find out more about people's needs and concerns
* Excellent communication, interpersonal and team-building skills
* Creative thinking and problem-solving ability
* Basic IT skills (email, Word, Excel, databases)
* Ability to build trust and positive relationships
* Ability to work independently and manage own workload
* Good organisational and time management skills
Personal Qualities
* Approachable, empathetic, and non judgemental
* Resilient and able to manage emotionally demanding situations
* Flexible and adaptable to changing community needs
* Motivated by social impact and empowerment
* Committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion
* Confident representing the organisation externally
* Ability to travel locally
* Subject to satisfactory PVG check
Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 11 months
Pay: £15.50 per hour
Expected hours: No less than 15 per week
Benefits:
* On-site parking
* Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Lumsden