Community Research Supporter: Connect to Work Programme

Support Somerset Council's Connect to Work programme and engage with coastal communities.

Somerset Council are looking for a community organisation with experience of using creative, inclusive, and accessible ways to engage people aged 18 and over in Burnham-on-Sea, Highbridge, and nearby communities – acting as a bridge between the Council who are currently out of work, or who face challenges finding or keeping work because of a long-term health condition, disability, caring responsibilities, or other barriers.

The successful organisation will support people who would like to share their experiences, ideas, and suggestions. These insights will help shape Somerset Council’s Connect to Work programme, starting in Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge and helping to inform the programme across Somerset.

The Council are particularly interested in organisations that can reach a wide range of local communities, create welcoming and supportive spaces, and gather meaningful feedback. This will help ensure the programme reflects local unmet needs and provides the right support for people to move towards employment, find work, and stay in good-quality jobs where this is right for them.

Organisations are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) explaining how they would use funding of up to £10,000 to provide a Community Research Supporter for the project.

The Community Research Supporter will work closely with the Connect to Work Programme Manager within Somerset Council Workforce and Skills, the WorkFit Lead, and with the Somerset Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC).

Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 11 September 2026.

The successful organisation will enter into a Small Grants Agreement with Somerset Council. The project is expected to begin in October 2026 and run until October 2027.

To find out more about this opportunity, please click here. You can also email frederick.marais@somerset.gov.uk or tom.evans@somerset.gov.uk.