Organisation: Cumbria CVS

Salary Details: £31,111 FTE

Closing date for applications: 18 Sep 2025

Community Co-Researcher Support Officer (HDRC Cumberland)

Salary – £31,111 FTE

Part-Time – 18.5 hours per week

Fixed Term for 2 years

Base – Carlisle, Cleator Moor or Millom. Flexible working, in terms of location and hours of work. 

 

Overview

Are you passionate about supporting people and promoting inclusion? Do you have a talent for building trusting relationships and helping others thrive?

Cumbria CVS is recruiting a Community Co-Researcher (CCR) Support Officer to join our work with the Cumberland Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC). This is a unique opportunity to support local people with lived experience who are taking part in community-led research to improve health and wellbeing across Cumberland.

This relationship-focused role is all about pastoral and practical support — helping Community Co-Researchers feel confident, included, and emotionally safe in their work. You’ll play a key part in creating an environment where everyone feels valued and able to contribute meaningfully.

Working alongside the HDRC Project Officer, who leads on research delivery, you will focus on trust-building, encouragement, inclusion, and wellbeing — ensuring Community Co-Researchers are supported as both individuals and collaborators.

Job Purpose

The CCR Support Officer will:

• Build trusted relationships with Community Co-Researchers
• Provide consistent emotional support and reassurance
• Help overcome barriers to participation
• Promote personal growth, wellbeing, and inclusion
• Contribute to a positive and supportive community research programme

Key Duties

• Maintain regular, one-to-one check-ins with CCRs, with a focus on wellbeing
• Offer emotional encouragement and help people feel prepared and safe during activities
• Act as a reliable, consistent point of contact for CCRs
• Respond to wellbeing concerns and liaise with the HDRC Project Officer when necessary
• Support CCRs in managing personal or interpersonal challenges
• Promote an inclusive, strengths-based culture
• Provide practical help (e.g. travel, timekeeping, accessibility issues)
• Take part in group gatherings and reflective activities celebrating CCRs’ contributions
• Maintain confidential records of support interactions in line with safeguarding and GDPR
• Collaborate closely with the HDRC Project Officer to ensure CCRs are supported both in tasks and in wellbeing
• Share feedback to improve the CCR support offer
• Assist in preparing case studies capturing impact and personal development

Find out more about working for Cumbria CVS here

Download the job specification and person specification here

To arrange an informal conversation about the role, please email: hr@cumbriacvs.org.uk or becky.clarke@cumberland.gov.uk

How to apply

Please click here to view the Expression of Interest Form, and details of how to apply.. Please send your completed form to hr@cumbriacvs.org.uk by the closing date.

Applicants must also complete and return the separate Declaration Form, which can be downloaded here.

We would also be grateful if you would complete and return our Equality & Diversity Monitoring Form, which can also be here.

Receipt of your application will be acknowledged, and all applicants will be notified of the outcome of the shortlisting whether selected for interview or not.  Applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.  References will only be taken up for the successful applicant.

Cumbria CVS strives to be an equal opportunities employer. Disabled applicants and veterans who meet the essential criteria will be interviewed.

Applications should come directly to hr@cumbriacvs.org.uk

Closing date for applications is Friday 5^th September, 12 noon

Interviews will be held via MS Teams on Thursday 18^th September

 

Cumbria CVS strives to be an equal opportunities employer.

Disabled applicants and veterans who meet the essential criteria will be interviewed.