Job Description

As a Volunteer Community Connector you will support the Compassionate Communities programme by helping to grow and strengthen community engagement by encouraging discussion around grief and loss.

In this role you will:

Help to facilitate and support Compassionate Conversations in the community, offering informal, empathetic listening and engagement around topics such as serious illness, caregiving, dying, and bereavement.

Help to support pop-up events and structured awareness sessions in partnership with community groups, workplaces, clubs and organisations.

Main duties of this role may include any of the following:

Attend and support public-facing events and organised sessions focused on compassionate dialogue and awareness-raising including delivering presentations.

Offer a welcoming, supportive presence and engage people in meaningful conversations in a non-judgmental, non-clinical manner.

Sensitively listen to people's experiences, stories, or questions related to serious illness, loss, and caregiving, answering questions where able; signposting or referring to your line manager where unable to respond.

Help to promote Compassionate Communities principles and the work of St Helena in a positive, accessible way.

Liaise with St Helena staff and partners before and after events to ensure consistent quality and messaging.

Assist with basic event logistics such as setting up spaces, offering refreshments, distributing materials, and collecting informal feedback.

Work flexibly across hospice sites, community venues, and from home.

Establish contacts within the community and follow up to build relationships.

Understand and adhere to confidentiality and data protection regulations at all times

Experience & qualifications required

Experience in a role involving interaction with the public, especially in a supportive or listening capacity.

Understanding of the importance of compassion and empathy when discussing sensitive topics.

Ability to maintain personal and professional boundaries.

Comfortable speaking with people from a wide range of backgrounds and in a public domain.

Computer literate and competent in Microsoft Office applications (online training, electronic communications, word, excel etc)

Admin skills for recording information and following up contact

Training & supervision

Online mandatory training relevant to the role including health & safety.

Compassionate Conversations training - on line/in person

Dedicated line manager for training and support with regular one to one meetings

Invitation to new starters induction day

Personal attributes

Passionate about St Helena

Excellent communication skills with a polite and pleasant manner, empathetic and emotionally resilient

Able to work independently and as part of a team

Respectful, non-judgemental and inclusive

Confident approaching and engaging with members of the public

Reliable and trustworthy

Comfortable talking about sensitive issues such as death and grief

Passionate about breaking down taboos and supporting community wellbeing

It is preferable to hold a clean current UK driving license and have access to a vehicle with business insurance due to some local travel.

Job Type: Part-time

Benefits:

On-site parking
Work Location: In person