Community Engagement and Partnerships Worker

Mind in West Essex; Harlow; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

Mind in West Essex is seeking a Community Engagement and Partnerships Worker to connect with local people and organisations across Harlow & Epping Forest. You will lead outreach, build partnerships, and represent Mind at community events to grow awareness and access to support.

The role focuses on developing the network, providing frontline support, and identifying fundraising opportunities while ensuring compassionate, accessible information is available to the public.

Qualifications

• Experience engaging diverse groups within local communities.
• Ability to listen to local people to understand mental health needs.
• Commitment to inclusive service delivery and equity.

Responsibilities

• Conduct community outreach to understand wellbeing needs of the public.
• Develop partnerships with local organisations to widen access to support.
• Represent Mind in West Essex at community events and meetings.
• Grow our network of supporters and volunteers.
• Identify local fundraising opportunities and support donors.
• Provide information and emotional support to members of the public.

Skills

Public speaking

Community outreach

Relationship building

Volunteer coordination

Tools

Microsoft Word/Excel

G Suite

CRM databases

Job description

Community Engagement and Partnerships Worker

Job Title: Community Engagement and Partnerships worker

Reporting to: Community Engagement and Partnerships Lead

Normal Place of Work: Harlow office base, with regular travel across Harlow & Epping Forest and occasional travel across West Essex

Pay: £13.04 per hour

The organisation

Mind in West Essex is a local, independent mental health charity. We affiliate to Mind

(the National Association for Mental Health) a charity with which we share common

values and principles.

We want West Essex to be a place where everyone can experience good mental

health, feel connected to their community, access the support they need to live well,

and feel hopeful about the future.

We embrace diversity and understand that being an inclusive organisation, recognising

different perspectives, will enable us to provide excellent services. We are committed

to ensuring all our employees are treated fairly and equitably at work and promoting

equity in physical and mental health for all.

About the Role

As a Community Engagement and Partnerships worker, you will connect directly with local people and organisations to build a supportive, mentally healthy community across Harlow & Epping Forest.

Your core focus areas include:

Community Outreach: Listen to local people to understand their mental health and wellbeing needs.

Partnership Development: Build meaningful relationships with local organisations to promote open conversations about mental health and expand access to support.

Community Events: Help organise and represent Mind at local community events.

Growing Our Network: Build our network of local supporters and contribute to our regular supporter newsletter.

Income Generation & Fundraiser Support: Identify local fundraising opportunities and support individuals fundraising for Mind in West Essex.

Frontline Support: Provide accessible information, emotional support, and practical guidance directly to members of the public.

Key Task Areas and Responsibilities

Community Outreach

Create inclusive, accessible outreach activities for the general public and specific groups (such as veterans, parents, and men).

Build and maintain a strong knowledge of local mental health services and community resources.

Identify local community needs using our mental health toolkit model and tailor initiatives to meet those needs.

Assist with the day-to-day running of our community spaces.

Partnership Development

Research, identify, and reach out to potential community partners who share our values and aims.

Attend networking events, conferences, and community gatherings to build positive working relationships.

Deliver engaging short presentations about Mind in West Essex and our services.

Explore opportunities to offer mental health awareness training to partners so they can better support their communities.

Build relationships with local businesses to explore sponsorships, donations, and joint initiatives.

Identify and connect with potential major donors, individual supporters, and local influencers.

Work with volunteers and community groups to plan events and campaigns.

Provide volunteers and local organisations with promotional materials, coordinating with our Communications Officer.

Identify and respond to local fundraising and commercial income opportunities.

Offer warm, practical support to individuals fundraising on behalf of Mind in West Essex.

Offer immediate, compassionate support to individuals in distress, including de-escalation, emotional support, coping tools, and signposting to relevant emergency or mental health services.

Work directly with members of the public through planned or drop-in sessions to help them achieve practical goals that improve their mental health.

Advocate on behalf of individuals when needed, within agreed guidance and boundaries.

To keep abreast of internal and external developments and respond accordingly.

To undertake other duties that may be necessary as directed by the Lead that are compatible with nature and grade of post.

To adhere to relevant legal and statutory requirements including the Data Protection Act (always ensuring an appropriate level of confidentiality), Health and Safety at Work Act (always ensuring H&S of own and others) and any other relevant/charity law.

Understanding of service delivery in a health or social care settingRelevant training in counseling, social work, occupational therapy, or mental health nursingCommitment to continuous professional developmentUnderstanding of the mental health recovery modelUnderstanding of trauma-informed and person-centered approaches to careUnderstanding of how social factors affect physical, mental, and emotional healthUnderstanding of key legislation and policies (Data Protection/GDPR, Safeguarding Adults, Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act)Knowledge of working within safeguarding, confidentiality, and equality frameworksAwareness of mental health service provision and challengesPractical understanding of mental health conditionsExperience working with adults who have care or support needsExperience in line management or coordinating peopleA calm, empathetic approach when managing difficult or stressful situationsExcellent workload management and prioritisation skillsAbility to meaningfully involve service users and carers in all aspects of their supportAbility to build strong networks with local community groups and partnersConfident speaking in public and representing the organisation at eventsAbility to plan and facilitate wellbeing activities and make full use of community spacesCreative, flexible, and proactive approach to supporting individualsAbility to identify personal learning needs and request relevant trainingAbility to work as part of a team and to work on your own initiative.Good IT skills (Microsoft Word/Excel, G Suite, and CRM databases)Flexibility to travel and work outside standard office hours if requiredStrong local connection to Harlow and Epping Forest