Community Advocate (Chelsea)

Purpose of the Role

 Community Advocates play a vital role in building a sense of belonging and connection among students across our shared spaces, both indoors and outdoors.

You will design and deliver inclusive, creative, and student-led programmes that bring people together, promote wellbeing, and make our social, study, and green spaces vibrant places for collaboration, rest, and creativity.

Your work will include planning and facilitating activities, supporting use of shared spaces, and helping students to connect with one another through regular “meet days”, workshops, and seasonal projects that champion inclusion, sustainability, and community.

Gardening and green-space activities will form an important strand of your programme, especially during the warmer months, helping to encourage wellbeing, outdoor engagement, and shared ownership of our environments.

Key Responsibilities

 Community Building & Engagement

• Develop and deliver an engaging and inclusive community programme that encourages regular participation across shared spaces.
• Host regular “community meet days” open sessions where students can gather informally, share ideas, and take part in creative, social, or wellbeing-focused activities.
• Facilitate and coordinate a variety of activities such as:
  • Craft and creative workshops (e.g. collage, zine-making, upcycling)
  • Music or open mic sessions
  • Film screenings or discussion evenings
  • Board games or quiz nights
  • Reading, writing, or storytelling circles
  • Skill-sharing or peer-led workshops
  • Wellbeing and mindfulness sessions
  • Seasonal gardening days or planting projects
• Promote an inclusive and welcoming environment where all students feel valued and able to participate.
• Gather and respond to feedback to help the programme evolve in line with student interests and needs.
• Represent the college positively, sharing information about campus facilities, events, and support services.

 Gardening and Green Space Activation

• Lead and maintain gardening and outdoor wellbeing activities that build connection and pride in shared green spaces.
• Develop a seasonal gardening programme, encouraging participation through planting days, maintenance sessions, and creative outdoor projects such as herb gardens, pop-up seating areas, or collaborative art installations.
• Ensure green spaces remain welcoming, safe, and accessible to all.
• Encourage the use of outdoor areas as venues for relaxation, creative activities, and social interaction.
• Collaborate with estates, sustainability, and catering teams to coordinate use and upkeep of outdoor areas.

 Programme Development and Coordination

• Plan, promote, and report on your activities in agreement with your line manager.
• Coordinate your schedule to align with other student and advocate programmes, avoiding clashes and maximising engagement.
• Collaborate with other Advocates (e.g. Climate, Repair, and Change Advocates) and student groups to share ideas and co-create inclusive programming.
• Manage a small budget responsibly for materials (e.g. craft supplies, plants, refreshments, or event resources).
• Ensure all activities are risk-assessed, accessible, and delivered safely.

Essential

• A friendly, welcoming, and proactive attitude with a genuine interest in community building and student wellbeing.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills; confident engaging with students and staff from diverse backgrounds.
• Reliable, organised, and able to take initiative when planning or running events.
• Passionate about inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability.
• Comfortable engaging in both indoor and outdoor activities, including basic gardening tasks.
• Able to work collaboratively and adapt to changing circumstances.

Desirable

• Experience in event or activity planning, facilitation, or volunteer coordination.
• Knowledge or experience of gardening, planting, or maintaining green spaces.
• Awareness of decolonisation, equity, and social justice in the arts and education.
• Experience managing small budgets or community project resources.

Additional Information

• Some lifting and manual handling (e.g. moving chairs, tables, or gardening tools) may be required.
• Attendance at training, team meetings, and cross-site networking events is expected.
• This is an alcohol-free, student-facing role that requires professionalism, empathy, and care.
• All Advocates are expected to complete timesheets detailing how their hours are used to develop and deliver their programme.