Community Research Facilitator

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust; Basildon; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust in Basildon is seeking a Community Research Facilitator to promote health and care research within the local community. The role is based at the Social Spark Hub and involves coordinating workshops, engagement activities and working with residents, community groups and partners.

The post supports inclusive participation, community voices in research and partnerships across neighbourhood health initiatives, with a 12-month fixed-term contract and on-site

Responsibilities

• Engage at least 150 local residents and 10 partner organisations each year in research-related activity.
• Organise and facilitate drop-ins, workshops, outreach events and community engagement activities.
• Build relationships with local organisations, neighbourhood health initiatives, Community Diagnostic Centres and voluntary sector partners.
• Support continued community involvement and help Community Diagnostic Centres embed research in their services.
• Act as a key point of contact for community participants, volunteers and stakeholders.
• Facilitate discussions and engagement sessions, including on sensitive or complex topics.
• Present complex information clearly to a range of audiences, including larger groups.

Job description

Community Research Facilitator (0.8 WTE / 4 days per week) We are seeking an enthusiastic Community Research Facilitator to help make health and care research more visible, accessible and relevant to local people. Based at the new Social Spark Hub in Basildon town centre, the postholder will work with residents, community groups and partners to promote research opportunities and encourage wider participation, especially among underserved communities. The role will build trusted relationships, support community engagement activities and help local people influence research that matters to them. This is an exciting opportunity to help embed research into neighbourhood health activity, strengthen community links and support a more inclusive approach to research and innovation. Important information

Important information

• This is apart-time post of 4 days per week (0.8 WTE).
• The successful candidate will be required to workon-site at the Social Spark Hub for all contracted hours.
• The Social Spark Hub is due to open inBasildon town centre in November 2026and will be the primary base for this role.
• This is a12-month fixed-term contract.

We welcome applications from those interested in asecondment, subject to agreement from their current employer. The Community Research Facilitator will increase awareness of health and care research and support local people to take part. Based at the Social Spark Hub, the postholder will work with residents, community groups, health and care partners, voluntary sector organisations and researchers to promote inclusive participation and ensure community voices shape research and innovation. The postholder will develop partnerships across neighbourhood health initiatives, Community Diagnostic Centres and local organisations, helping to bring research into community settings and everyday health and wellbeing activity. They will organise workshops, outreach events and group discussions, with a focus on people with lived experience and communities underrepresented in research. The role will involve sharing research opportunities and outcomes in accessible ways, acting as a key contact for community members and stakeholders, supporting engagement programmes, contributing to monitoring and evaluation, and working with volunteers, public contributors and students. Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers. We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Community Engagement and Partnership Working

• Engage at least 150 local residents and 10 partner organisations each year in research-related activity, including people with lived experience.
• Organise and facilitate drop-ins, workshops, outreach events and community engagement activities.
• Build relationships with local organisations, neighbourhood health initiatives, Community Diagnostic Centres and voluntary sector partners.
• Support continued community involvement and help Community Diagnostic Centres embed research in their services.
• Act as a key point of contact for community participants, volunteers and stakeholders.
• Facilitate discussions and engagement sessions, including on sensitive or complex topics.
• Present complex information clearly to a range of audiences, including larger groups.

Research and Digital Inclusion

• Communicate research opportunities, aims, findings and engagement outcomes in accessible formats.
• Support local residents to register with Be Part of Research, use the NHS App and access digital health resources such as Essex Frontline and MSE Virtual Views.
• Help identify priorities and approaches to increase participation in research and innovation.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Support the planning and delivery of community research programmes and engagement activities.
• Collect, analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data arising from research and engagement activity.
• Contribute to evaluation, reporting, feedback analysis and outcome measurement.
• Prepare reports and summaries showing the impact of community engagement activity.

Resources and Administration

• Coordinate resources for community events, engagement sessions and outreach activity.
• Assist with monitoring expenditure and ensuring the appropriate use of allocated resources.
• Administer participant reimbursement, including travel expenses and recognition vouchers where appropriate.

Volunteer, Student and Community Researcher Support

• Support, develop and coordinate volunteers, community researchers and public contributors.
• Provide guidance and development opportunities for college students on work experience at the Social Spark Hub.
• Contribute to training, skills development and capacity building with community groups and partners.