Community worker
Community workers help local residents develop the skills they need to influence and improve their quality of life. A community worker will work with individuals, families or whole communities, providing leadership, setting goals for improvement, and taking action.
Community workers are usually employed by specialised voluntary organisations focusing either on specific groups (such as the homeless, the long-term unemployed, families with young children or ethnic minorities) or on particular concerns (such as public transport, mental health or drugs action).
Did you know?
If you become a community worker, you could take the first steps to running your own charity by going on one of the leadership courses that are becoming increasingly available in the voluntary and charity sector.
Facts and Figures
- Starting salary:
Around £15,000 rising to £25,000
- Senior level salary:
Depending on qualifications and experience you could eventually earn up to £35,000.
- Education:
Graduates not actively recruited. Though a degree in youth and community work, or a foundation degree that confers a recognised youth work qualification, are useful.
- Skills:
Volunteering is a good way to develop your skills and demonstrate your commitment. Becoming an active member of a charity you’d like to get involved in can help you understand it better. The skills needed for work in the voluntary sector include being able to deal with people at all levels, communicate effectively, and manage projects. You'll need to be motivated, and able to work on your own initiative. At a more senior level it is important to be able to think strategically.
- Likely employer type:
Local authorities, community associations, charities, sports and recreation groups and other non-profit organisations, including social enterprises
- Opportunities:
There is increasing demand for community workers due to greater focus on social inclusion. Jobs are advertised frequently in the local and national press.
Meet a community worker
Helpful links
- Voluntary Sector SkillsAll about working in the voluntary sector, as well as details of careers fairs and charity recruitment agencies
- The National Association for Voluntary and Community ActionA good source of information and has a list of regional networks
- Volunteering EnglandResources and advice for anyone wanting to volunteer
- VolResourceInformation on working in the voluntary sector and links to advertised vacancies are at
- Working for a CharityCourses for people wanting to enter the voluntary sector
- Federation for Community Development LearningFree resources on community development learning
