Community Engagement Worker

Leatherhead Community Hub; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A community organization in Leatherhead seeks a motivated individual to enhance community engagement. The role involves listening to residents, empowering them to drive positive change, and facilitating their involvement in local decision-making. Essential skills include excellent listening, strong organizational abilities, and experience in community work. Candidates should be flexible to work evenings and weekends. This position is on a six-month contract, with a pay of £16 per hour for 15 hours a week.

Qualifications

• Experience of volunteering and/or working in a community setting.
• A positive and creative approach to work.
• Willingness to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Listen and engage with local residents to facilitate positive change.
• Establish a residents' panel to give locals a voice.
• Organise an Annual General Meeting to ensure accountability.

Skills

Excellent listening skills

Strong organisational skills

Time management skills

IT skills

Good networking skills

Job description

Role description

You will work with local residents to continue our community engagement work, empowering residents to bring about positive change for North Leatherhead and facilitating their engagement in decisions affecting the local area.

Pay and hours

£16 an hour. 15 hours per week, with occasional evening and weekend working.

Contract

6-month contract, initially.

Location

LCH, Kingston Road, Leatherhead. KT22 7PX. Not suitable for remote working.

Context

North Leatherhead is in the top 5% most deprived neighbourhoods in Surrey, with one of the highest concentrations of foodbank use in the county and healthy life expectancy rates that are, on average, seven years lower than in South Leatherhead. A listening exercise by Mole Valley District Council highlighted the lack of community provision and the damaging impact of the closure of the children’s centre and other community buildings in recent years.

Leatherhead Community Hub (LCH) opened in March 2022 as a dedicated community centre in North Leatherhead. LCH provides opportunities for people to come together socially and build community, as well as giving partner organisations a permanent base from which to offer vital support. Our mission is to create a safe, welcoming space at the heart of the community, where people of all ages can connect, learn, have fun, and find the support they need to thrive. The Hub attracts around 3,500 visitors a month to our community café and the many other community activities run by LCH and other local groups.

One of LCH’s core values is to be community-led, and we are always looking for opportunities to take on board people’s ideas and develop their gifts. Last year, we set up a non-contact boxing project and we have plans for a new football project, in response to parents’ concerns about the lack of provision for children and young people. Responsibility for both projects is being handed over to local residents.

Responsibilities

You will be responsible for listening to, engaging with and empowering local residents to facilitate positive change in their community, with the following specific objectives :

• To establish a residents’ panel (or similar), giving local residents a greater say in decisions affecting local community.
• To organise an Annual General Meeting (or similar), ensuring that LCH is accountable to the local community.
• To carry out a community survey (or listening exercise) for North Leatherhead, to increase our understanding of the concerns and hopes of local residents.

In addition, we would like to explore ways to increase ownership and involvement of local residents in all aspects of the running of LCH. You will be employed by LCH, using the Hub as a base for networking and capacity-building, whilst also reaching out to other sections of the community. This role will require you to have a regular presence at LCH and in the wider community.

Requirements

Essential :

• Excellent listening skills – friendly and approachable, with the ability to connect with people from a wide range of backgrounds and make them feel supported and valued.
• Experience of volunteering and / or working in a community setting.
• Strong organisational, time management and IT skills.
• A positive and creative approach to work – able to handle new or competing demands and work on own initiative without close supervision.
• A willingness to work flexibly, including occasional evening and weekend meetings.
• A firm commitment to the vision, mission and values of LCH.

Desirable :

• Good networking skills and experience of working with other organisations to achieve positive change for the community.
• An understanding of the principles of asset-based community development and other participatory approaches to community development.
• A proven ability to motivate and support people to use their strengths and skills for the benefit of the wider community.
• Experience of carrying out community research and / or grassroots organising.
• Experience of living, working and / or volunteering in the local area.

How to apply

Please send us your CV and a cover letter (no more than 500 words), explaining why you would like this role and how you meet the job requirements.

Posted on

15th December 2025

Closing date

15th January 2026

Interview date

23rd January 2026

We are keen to appoint someone to start in February, or as soon as possible.