Community Co-Researcher

Some key information

• Use your lived experience and community knowledge in shaping research and recommendations to better support communities.
• Hybrid working both from home and/or County Hall, Taunton.
• Flexible working days and hours up to 18.5 hrs per week, on a fixed-term contract until 31st March 2026.
• 25 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays) pro rata.

What will I be doing?

We're working to improve the lives of people living in Somerset through partnering with communities - and you'll be a key part of that. Your day-to-day work will involve:

• Drawing on your lived experience and community knowledge to help shape and guide research projects from the start to end.
• Partnering with a variety of community groups, organisations, and individuals.
• Working on a project to better support people who are living with long-term health conditions and/or disabilities to find, stay, or return to work.
• Checking that project findings and recommendations are relevant, accessible, and meaningful to communities.
• Representing the experiences and views of community members at meetings.
• Providing advice and guidance on working in partnership with communities.

What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?

We offer ongoing support, training and guidance to help you be the best you can be. But it will really help if you:

• Are passionate about supporting communities and making a difference.
• Are interested in community research (it's okay if you do not have previous research experience as training and support will be provided).
• Have experience of living with or caring for someone with a long-term health condition and/or disability.
• Can use a computer, including emails and online video calls - or are willing to learn.
• Can manage your time, workload, and prioritise tasks.
• Enjoy working in a team environment and are good at engaging with different people.

We're proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.

We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there's anything you want to talk about before you apply.

What's in it for me?

We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.

We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:

• We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
• Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Staff discounts in gyms.
• Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
• Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
• A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
• My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more

Anything else I should know?

The salary for the roles is Grade 14 ranging from: £24,404 - £25,183 per annum (£12,202 to £12,591 per annum for 18.5 hours per week pro rata)

Please contact Alex on alexandria.hewitt@somerset.gov.uk or on 01823 355193 by Thursday 3rd April 2025 for a chat about the role and the application process, and to answer any questions. We can't wait to hear from you.

DBS information

An Enhanced DBS check will be required.