Villagers Connect Project – a great opportunity to join our team at Action in rural Sussex
Villagers Connect is a community development project which is working to sustain a strong and vibrant community in the villages of Colgate, Faygate and Rusper. It aims to build connections and relationships which increase confidence, independence and empowerment, particularly for the over 65’s.
We are seeking a part-time community development worker to work as part of a small team that is active in this rural location in the Horsham district. This role involves a good deal of community-based activity, engaging with older people and the wider community. This does therefore require someone who is understanding of older people and their interests, abilities and needs.
We champion an asset based approach to community development, which is about building on existing strengths and supporting local people to flourish; undertaking community led projects that create community cohesion and have lasting impact.
Key Objectives
· Support older people to access services and support locally that will meet their needs and improve their quality of life
· Improve the lived experiences for older people in these rural communities
· Build connections and relationships across and within the three parishes to reduce social isolation
· Develop new and support existing activities to enable a vibrant community
· Increase confidence, independence and empowerment amongst individuals, groups and community based organisations.
· Strengthen existing community assets, knowledge and skills in line with our asset based approach to the Villagers Connect Project
· Support community resilience by building community networks which are strong and sustainable into the future
Two years in, the project is well established and has gone from strength to strength. We are now seeking a new member of the team to help drive this project forward and enable this community to celebrate what can be achieved when people come together and support one another to age well and live full and active lives, despite the challenges of rural living.
To increase the capacity of rural communities to manage change for the benefit of all their constituents.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis?
Are you calm, non-judgemental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress?
If you can embody our values of Hope, Courage, Togetherness, and Responsiveness, and want to help others build resilience and manage their wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you.
Community Outreach Worker – Physical Health
Reference: 341
Salary: £26,000 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Contract: 1 Year fixed term (Subject to extension)
Working base(s): Watford, Borehamwood or Hemel Hempstead
About the Service
The Community Outreach Worker plays a vital role in delivering the Physical Health Checks programme for individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). This position focuses on engaging hard-to-reach individuals, facilitating health checks in healthcare settings, community settings, and supporting follow-up care to enhance physical health outcomes. The post holder will collaborate with health professionals and stakeholders to reduce health inequalities and promote recovery
About the Role
The role ensures that individuals with severe mental illness receive timely and effective physical health checks, overcoming barriers to engagement and supporting continuity of care. The post holder will provide proactive outreach to improve health outcomes, promote engagement with primary care and support individuals to access and sustain appropriate health and community-based support.
The post holder will manage their workload independently, maintain accurate documentation, and ensure high standards of service delivery. They will also contribute to monitoring and reporting to support the success and sustainability of the Physical Health Checks programme.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the delivery of the Physical Health Checks programme
- Target and engage individuals on GP mental health registers who are difficult to reach
- Deliver physical health checks in healthcare and community settings, supported accommodation, day centres, and through home visits
- Follow up on health check results and liaise with GPs and social prescribers for onward referrals
- Support clients to access follow-up appointments and ongoing physical health treatment
- Provide one-to-one support tailored to individual needs (in person, via telephone, or email)
- Signpost and assist access to relevant health and wellbeing services
- Facilitate effective liaison between families and professionals, including GPs
- Hold a caseload of clients with SMI, delivering support through home visits and community-based interventions
- Monitor and review the safety and wellbeing of clients on a regular basis
- Maintain accurate documentation including participant notes and data required for monitoring and reporting
- Actively promote the service through GP practice meetings, events, and outreach activities
- Build and maintain effective relationships with health care professionals and community partners to support referrals
- Collect feedback from participants to improve service quality
- Encourage and support clients to access volunteering opportunities that build skills, confidence, and community connection
- Embed a person centred and solution focused approach in all aspects of the role
- To remain a source of independent support for all clients
We offer:
- Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising in increments to a max. of 29 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays)
- An additional day of leave each year for your birthday following completion of probation period.
- Ongoing training relevant to your role.
- An Employee Assistance Programme.
- Eligibility for blue light card.
- Health cover (after 6 months employment) – compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.
Being able to drive and having access to your own vehicle (or equivalent) is essential for this role.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 27th May 2026.
Interviews will be held at our Watford Wellbeing Centre on 5th June 2026.
Please note: Due to high numbers of expected applicants, we may close this advert early.
N.B. Please quote reference number 341 when completing your application for this role.
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation. In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, specific measures can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.
Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. Our inclusive approach recognises the unique skills, knowledge, and perspectives that lived experience brings to our team.
No agencies please.
30 hours per week / £30,150 per annum pro rata / fixed term until 31 March 2028 / working four days a week, working pattern to be discussed at interview.
The role involves frequent travel across Surrey to schools and joining colleagues at key meetings, with occasional travel further afield. Therefore, a full UK driving licence and access to a car are essential.
YMCA DownsLink Group is the leading charity for children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. We offer safe homes, mental health support and trusted advice.
We believe that every child and young person has the right to be safe, heard and to shape their own future. We work alongside them to make that happen.
We are here for children and young people, many of whom face multiple challenges and need our support.
Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections – guide us in all our actions.
YMCA WiSE (What is Sexual Exploitation) is our specialist project supporting children and young people across Sussex and Surrey who are affected by, or at risk of, exploitation. Through education, awareness‑raising and empowerment, we help young people understand healthy relationships, recognise harmful behaviours, and build safety and resilience.
Unlike statutory services, WiSE has a youth focussed offer that is voluntary to engage in. Our team understand young people, lived experience and trauma, and how this shapes their understanding of the world.
We have an exciting opportunity to join the WiSE team as an Early Intervention CSE Worker. In this role, you will deliver preventative and early intervention work across Surrey, supporting young people, schools, and professional networks to recognise and respond to the risks of sexual exploitation and harmful sexual behaviours.
Key responsibilities are:
- Deliver a programme of targeted group sessions aimed at preventing sexual exploitation and addressing emerging harmful sexual behaviours (complementing the universal and enhanced RSE offer delivered by the Sex Ed Forum).
- Build professional relationships with Surrey education providers, arranging and delivering group sessions across a range of settings.
- Maintain accurate case notes and monitoring data, contributing to timely reporting for the service and funders.
- Work collaboratively with key partners including Children’s Services, Public Health, Police, LSCB, the Sex Ed Forum, and Community Safety teams.
- Support the development and delivery of awareness‑raising campaigns targeting young people, parents and carers, professionals, and the wider community.
- Work closely with WiSE staff and wider professionals to identify young people at higher risk and refer them to WiSE project workers for specialist intervention.
We recognise the emotional weight of this work and prioritise a reflective, supportive environment for all team members. To ensure you feel supported and able to deliver high‑quality practice, you will receive regular line management supervision focused on wellbeing and supportive weekly team meetings.
If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity but don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Your skills and experiences may be more transferable than you think, and you could be exactly the person we’re looking for.
Qualifications, experience and knowledge:
- Qualification in Youth Work/Social Work or equivalent, or comparable experience working with vulnerable young people
- Proven experience in safeguarding young children
- Experience providing casework support young people aged 10 to 25 years old
- Group work experience with young people
- Safeguarding children and young people at risk of serious harm
- Delivering and risk assessing outreach work with young people
- Knowledge of risks posed to vulnerable young people through sexual exploitation and harmful sexual behaviour
CLOSING DATE: Sunday 10 May 2026 at midnight.
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorship for this role, so applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.
An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment.
Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.
YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns.
Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity check.
Our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.