Community Connector - Part Time - Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub

Freedom Leisure is one of the UK’s leading not-for-profit leisure trusts, managing leisure and cultural facilities in partnership with local authorities and communities. Our mission is simple: to improve lives through leisure by promoting health, wellbeing, and social inclusion. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to be active and connected, regardless of age, ability, or background.

We are proud to reinvest every penny back into our services and communities. By joining us, you’ll be part of an organisation that values people, champions equality, and works collaboratively to create healthier, happier communities.

This role is funded by Active Gloucestershire, our county’s Active Partnership, as part of their place-based investment through Sport England. We’ve been collaborating closely with Active Gloucestershire on their place-based work in Podsmead, which focuses on working closely with local organisations and residents on what matters most to them in their community.

This role is designed to work alongside local residents and organisations to co-create solutions that matter most to Podsmead -building on local strengths and fostering opportunities for physical activity, wellbeing and social connection.

As our Community Connector, you will play a pivotal role in driving forward Podsmead’s place-based work, focusing on reducing health inequalities and inactivity. You will build on existing relationships, and create new connections with local residents, community groups and organisations to strengthen local networks. This role is about empowering residents and organisations to work together to improve health, wellbeing and social cohesion.

Within this role there will also be a requirement to support our Heart of the Game Blood Pressure project which is being delivered in partnership with key strategic partners. This may include help to coordinate community blood pressure testing sessions, matchday activities and lifestyle programme bookings.

In the event that a high volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.

Hours: 30 hours per week, Monday - Sunday

This is a temporary role of up to 12 months.

Requirements:
Essential Skills:

• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Ability to build positive relationships with community organisations, professionals and residents
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Creative problem-solving and ability to inspire others
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work
• Confident IT user (MS Office, databases)
• Mobility to travel across the sites

Knowledge:

• Understanding of place-based working and community development principles
• Awareness of the voluntary and community sector

Experience:

• Demonstrated passion for community-led approaches such as Asset-Based Community Development
• Proven success in partnership working across sectors and local communities

Qualifications

• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential

Don’t meet every requirement? We still encourage you to apply - we value diversity and are committed to building an inclusive workplace.

Benefits:
We want you to love coming to work, feeling healthy, happy and valued. That's why we've developed a benefits package with you in mind, so what can we offer you?

• My Staff Shop, our very own staff benefit scheme, gives employees access to a great range of benefits. Get discounts on cinema tickets, travel bookings, high street e-vouchers, gift cards, days out, leisure activities and your day to day spending.
• Discounted Staff membership (including family members)
• Incremental holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 confidential, independent and professional counselling.
• Company pension
• Various insurance and saving schemes
• Financial advice
• Cycle-to-work and Car Leasing tax-efficient schemes (salaried staff only)
• All this as well as fully funded training and career progression opportunities in a team working environment

Closing Date: 6th March 2026

Salary: £20,519 per annum