LERO Community Engagement Worker

LERO Community Engagement Worker
Location: Northamptonshire
Salary: £20,640 per annum
This is a 3 year fixed-term contract from April 2026 ending in March 2029
This is a part-time role (28 hours per week), with the salary pro rata to reflect the reduced working hours.
About the Role
We are looking for an enthusiastic and community-focused LERO Community Engagement Worker to support the development of an independent Lived Experience Recovery Organisation (LERO) in North Northamptonshire.
This role is central to building strong, meaningful relationships across the community and ensuring the LERO is shaped by the voices, strengths and aspirations of people with lived experience. You will play a key part in engaging local groups, networks and stakeholders, helping to grow a vibrant and inclusive recovery community.
Working within a co-design and co-production approach, you will support the LERO to respond directly to community needs, recognising and building on existing skills, assets and experiences. You will also act as a visible advocate for lived experience, representing the LERO at local forums and strategic meetings to ensure these voices are heard at all levels.
You will work closely with the LERO Coordinator and the volunteer-led Leadership Committee, supporting partnership development with local and national organisations, stakeholders and contract partners. Together, you will help guide the LERO toward becoming an independent and self-sustaining organisation within three years.
About You
You are a confident communicator and relationship-builder who is passionate about community development and lived experience-led approaches. You are comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, and you thrive on connecting people, organisations and ideas.
You will have:
Experience of engaging with community organisations, networks or forums
Proven ability to build and maintain effective partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders
A strong understanding of lived experience recovery organisations, peer support, and community-led approaches
Excellent communication and representation skills, with the confidence to advocate at a strategic level
Strong negotiation and influencing skills
The ability to be self-motivated while contributing positively to a team environment
Experience of facilitating groups or delivering training
Experience of collecting, recording and analysing data for reporting and evaluation purposes
A good understanding of service user-led support groups and their role in sustaining recovery
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and databases
A strong awareness of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Experience of remote working
Above all, you will be committed to amplifying lived experience voices and helping to build a connected, empowered and sustainable recovery community.
About Us
We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.
We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following benefits -
Flexible working
Training and development opportunities
Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
Season Ticket Loan Scheme
Cycle to work scheme
Crisis Loan Scheme
Electric Car Scheme
3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
Access to Blue Light Card
25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter
Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application