Forward Carers Recruiting New Project Assistant In Dorset

We are delighted to invite another member of staff to our team in Dorset!

This role involves raising awareness of the lives of unpaid Carers, building business to business relationships, delivering the Carers ID Card scheme and our Carer Friendly Communities objectives.

It is ideal for an enthusiastic, compassionate, organised and skilled communicator.

Full Job description is below. Applications should be sent to julie.robinson@forwardcarers.org.uk by Wednesday 11th March 2026 and interviews will be held on Wednesday 18th March 2026. 

Project Assistant at Forward Carers

Job Role: Project Assistant (Two Years Fixed Term) 

Job Level: Assistant 

Purpose:  The Forward Carers Project Assistant will support the Project Co-ordinator, Programme Manager and wider team to deliver the Dorset Carers Card programme helping with day-to-day tasks to ensure smooth and effective delivery of this service, community outreach and Carers ID card. You will also Support our Carer Friendly Wiltshire programme as required. 

Hours of work: This role is part time, please include your preferred hours in your application.  

Job location:  Home based with travel across Wiltshire, with some travel to Dorset and BCP. The nature of the role could require occasional regional and UK travel.  

Salary: £25,947 

Reporting to: Programme Co-ordinator  

About Us: Established in 2014, Forward Carers is an award-winning not for profit social enterprise on a mission to create Carer Friendly Communities across the UK, places that understand and support unpaid Carers. We achieve this by developing partnerships with not-for-profit organisations who deliver our services. We also work directly with services, businesses, and employers to empower them to support the unpaid Carers in their communities.  

Our current contracted services are Birmingham Carers Hub & Young Carers Service, Sandwell Carers Hub, Dudley Adult Welling being & Young Carers Service Walsall Carers Hub, Carer Friendly Wiltshire and delivering the Carer Friendly ID scheme in Dorset. We also seek charitable funding from organisations such as the Big Lottery. We are a flexible and inclusive team and welcome applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds, including unpaid Carers and ex-Carers.  

Your Impact:  

As Project assistant, you will deliver the successful implementation of the Dorset Carers Card and on occasion support Carer Friendly Communities Projects in Wiltshire. This role involves building business to business (B2B) relationships, raising awareness of the lives of unpaid Carers, including Young Carers within the local and business community, delivering the Carers ID Card scheme and our Carer Friendly Communities objectives. You will collaborate with local Carers, businesses, organisations, Stakeholders and Service partners to support in improving the identification and lives of unpaid Carers.  

Key Responsibilities 

Business and community relationships:  

  • Seek out and engage businesses and organisations to make an offer a Community Pledge of support, including to our Carers ID Card – Wellness Directory 
  • Build and maintain relationships with local communities to ensure unpaid Carers and professionals are aware of the Carer ID Card and that discounts and offers are meeting the needs of Carers 
  • Support identification of hidden Carers and signposting Carers for support 
  • Approach businesses in a wide range of ways, including door to door, digital and events 
  • Assist Programme Manager and partners to build Carer Friendly Communities including GP’s, PCN’s, and Hospitals 

Stakeholder Engagement: 

  • Work closely with internal teams and external partners to ensure strong working relationships  
  • Enable and empower Carers and Young Carers to have a voice within the programme to provide their valuable feedback. This includes finding and supporting Volunteers Carer Ambassadors 
  • Represent Forward Carers at a wide range of events and meetings in a professional manner, including Carers week, Carers Rights day, and Young Carers Action Day 
  • Support Carers to access our Carers Card by helping with applications, this could be face to face, via emails or over the phone. 

Reporting and Communication: 

  • Provide data to our internal reporting systems in an accurate and timely manner 
  • Respond to telephone and email enquiries, conveying accurate information promptly and appropriately 
  • Contribute innovative ways to identify hidden Carers and new business leads 
  • Contribute to the Carer Friendly Monthly Newsletter 
  • Deliver and support Carer Friendly Communities Discovery sessions for local partners, business and Carers ensuring a timely follow up on any leads and all actions 

Administrative Support:  

  • Support the administration of customer surveys and other team communications 
  • Assisting in the preparation and distribution of materials and stationery required for events 
  • Preparing and providing Business welcome packs, certificates and any other admin required by project 
  • Updating internal CRM system (Salesforce) with project activities and impact  
  • Providing content for socials, newsletters and in print materials, as directed by the Programme Manager and Communications team.  

Who You Are: As a Project assistant you will be responsible for supporting the project Co-ordinator and Programme Manager in implementing our Carer Friendly Communities programmes in Dorset and supporting colleagues in Wiltshire. An enthusiastic, compassionate, organised and skilled communicator with experience of professional and community relationships. You will be an effective team player with the ability to be flexible and adaptable to support on other projects as needed. This role requires driving, your own vehicle and fluent spoken English to effectively communicate with stakeholders.  

You’ll Thrive With:  

  • Local knowledge: You will be building successful B2B relationships. A sound understanding of Dorset rural and urban communities will help you in this role. 
  • Exceptional Skills: Possess good organisational and communication skills and ability to deliver present our offer to Carers, businesses and local communities.  A passion for impacting positive change in the lives of unpaid Carers. 
  • Personal Strengths: Diplomacy, strong intrapersonal skills, and ability to negotiate. Self-discipline, and compassion defines your approach to work and life.  

Ready to Make a Difference? If you’re passionate about enhancing the lives of Unpaid Carers including Young Carers, thrive in a role that requires independent working and offers variety, challenge, and the opportunity to grow, we would love to hear from you. Your journey with Forward Carers promises to be rewarding, impactful, and a vital part of our community’s support system.  

How to Apply?  

To apply for the role of Carer Friendly Project Co-ordinator at Forward Carers, please submit your CV, a one-page covering letter, your preferred part-time hours and your response to the questions below.  

Your covering letter should show your experience or your potential to learn skills, and passion for the role. Include specific examples that show your what will make you successful in B2B relationships, networking, and stakeholder engagement.  

In addition, please answer the following questions and submit this with your application.  

Pre-interview Questions (please respond to both question on a maximum of one page of A4) 

  1. Business Relationship Experience: This role involves approaching businesses, sole traders and organisations to secure a pledge of support (such as a discount or offer) for our Wellness Directory. Can you describe a time you identified and engaged potential businesses, how you approached them and what the outcome was?  
  1. Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement: A significant part of this role involves collaborating with unpaid Carers, stakeholders and external partners. Could you provide an example of a situation where you worked with a diverse group of stakeholders to support programme or projects goals? 

If shortlisted and invited for an interview, we will use your responses to these pre-interview questions as a key part of the interview process. This approach will allow us to gain deeper insights into your experiences and how they align with the needs of our organisation.  

Applications should be sent to julie.robinson@forwardcarers.org.uk by Wednesday 11th March 2026 and interviews will be held on Wednesday 18th March 2026. Please notify us at the point of application if you will require an alternative date. Thank you  

If you are invited to interview, we will ask you about any adaptations or accessibility needs that will support you to bring your best self to the interview.