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.