One Community Activity Lead

Job Overview

The One Community Activity Lead plays a pivotal role in delivering CNWL’s commitment to community‑based, recovery‑focused support. The postholder will design, coordinate and facilitate a diverse programme of activities that promote wellbeing, social connection, empowerment and inclusion for service users across the One Community Service. This role requires a dynamic, creative and highly organised individual who can confidently lead groups, build therapeutic rapport, and work collaboratively with service users, carers, multidisciplinary colleagues and community partners.

The postholder will champion co‑production, ensuring that service users’ lived experience directly shapes the development and delivery of activities. They will uphold CNWL’s values, promote trauma‑informed practice, and ensure that all activities are delivered safely, inclusively and in accordance with Trust policies, safeguarding requirements and equality standards. The role contributes directly to CNWL’s strategic priorities around prevention, early intervention, community engagement and reducing health inequalities.

Main duties of the job

Main Duties

• To engage individuals and groups in a range of community settings.
• To assess and map an individual’s and groups assets, needs and aspirations.
• To offer a range of evidence-based interventions to individuals and groups which improve health and well-being.
• To develop individual and community plans designed to improve health and well-being.
• To match local community assets to individuals and groups and proactively support engagement through phone support, and formal referral.
• To arrange and deliver follow-up support and intervention for individuals and groups.
• To ensure all paper and web-based records are up-to-date, securely stored and accurate.
• To support the delivery of community projects, activities and events.
• To proactively identify new settings in which projects, activities, events and outreach could be conducted and build links into these settings.
• To support pathways into community projects, events, activities and opportunities.
• To identify and collaborate with current and potential stakeholders to ensure a multi-agency approach.

Working for our organisation

Working for Central North West London NHS Trust

You will also be part of the Trustwide Employment Services Team which comprises of over 40 people.

You will receive a number of staff benefits working for CNWL Trust, this includes an attractive pension scheme, a range of staff networks, travel discounts, employee assistance programme and discounts at hundreds of retailers nationwide.

This role is an excellent opportunity to start a long-term career within the mental health sector, develop your skills and a gateway to the vast number of opportunities within CNWL.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Who are we looking for?

Firstly, you will need strong and persuasive communication skills, excellent time management and exceptional organisational skills. Also, the ability to initiate and develop relationships with a variety of individuals and be able to engage employers using a variety of methods such as via the telephone or face-to-face in the community.

It would also be helpful, but NOT essential, if you have experience of working with people with mental health support needs (or similar groups) OR have experience working in employment support services (or equivalent), this can include working with people on a one-to-one basis, offering motivation and support, or engaging with a range of stakeholders.

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification on this advert for further info.

Person specification

Education And Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Degree‑level qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g., Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Community Development, Public Health) or equivalent experience.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to community work, mental health, or wellbeing.
• Commitment to completing mandatory CNWL training, including safeguarding, equality and diversity, and health and safety.

Desirable criteria

• Accredited training in trauma‑informed practice, group facilitation, coaching, or community engagement.
• Additional qualifications in creative, physical, or therapeutic disciplines that enhance activity delivery (e.g., arts, sports, mindfulness).

Previous experience

Essential criteria

• Experience planning, facilitating, or leading group activities within community, health, social care, or voluntary sector settings.
• Experience supporting individuals with mental health needs, social isolation, trauma histories, or complex vulnerabilities.
• Experience working with diverse, multicultural communities and adapting approaches to meet varied cultural, linguistic, and accessibility needs.
• Experience encouraging and enabling individuals to participate in meaningful activities that promote wellbeing, confidence, and social connection
• Experience of contracting and use of Oracle systems.
• Experience compromising services or activities with people with lived experience.
• Experience working within NHS, local authority, or voluntary sector mental health services.
• Experience developing partnerships with community organisations, charities, or social enterprises
• Experience evaluating activities, collecting feedback, and contributing to service improvement.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Understanding of recovery‑oriented practice and its application within community mental health services.
• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation, procedures, and responsibilities (adults and children).
• Understanding of trauma‑informed approaches and how to apply them in group and community settings.
• Awareness of equality, diversity, inclusion, and anti‑racist practice, and how these principles shape service delivery.
• Understanding of the barriers faced by marginalised communities in accessing support and community resources.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport, motivate service users, and facilitate group dynamics sensitively.
• Ability to lead groups confidently, manage challenging situations, and maintain a safe, supportive environment.
• Ability to recognise early signs of distress, deterioration, or safeguarding concerns and respond appropriately.
• Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple activities, manage time effectively, and prioritise workload.
• Competence in maintaining accurate records, writing clear notes, and using digital systems (e.g., System 1, MS Teams, Outlook).
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to adapt activities to meet the needs of individuals with physical, sensory, cognitive, or emotional challenges.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of local community resources, voluntary sector networks, and social prescribing pathways.
• Understanding of CNWL values, strategic priorities, and community‑based models of care.
• Awareness of public health principles and community development approaches.

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

• Demonstrates compassion, respect, and a commitment to person‑centred care.
• Actively promotes co‑production and values lived experience as expertise.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to anti‑racism, equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrates resilience, flexibility, and a willingness to learn, adapt, and innovate.
• Works collaboratively, supports colleagues, and contributes positively to team culture.
• Ability to work autonomously managing a number of whole project projects to deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong presentation skills coupled with the ability to convey complex concepts clearly and concisely.
• Well-developed influencing skills across hierarchies and disciplines.
• Developed ability to work across and within multidisciplinary teams.