Freelance Housing Policy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Freelance Winter Festival Event & Engagement Lead

About Zetetick

Zetetick Housing is a specialist supported housing charity providing safe, high-quality homes for adults with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs across London and the South East.

Purpose of the role

We are seeking an experienced freelance event and engagement specialist to lead the planning and delivery of a National Lottery-funded winter festival for tenants with learning disabilities, autism and other additional needs. The event should be welcoming, accessible and enjoyable, while creating meaningful opportunities for tenants to share their views and experiences.

Working with a small Zetetick delivery group, the freelancer will take day-to-day ownership of planning and coordination, with a strong focus on accessibility, inclusion, safeguarding and practical delivery.

• Role: Freelance Winter Festival Event & Engagement Lead
• Reports to: Housing Operations Lead and Fundraising Manager
• Location: Flexible - with travel between Croydon and Lewes as required
• Contract: Freelance to complete delivery by year-end
• Time commitment: Up to 20 days between September and early December
• Fee: Please provide a proposed day rate / project fee and estimated number of days

Key responsibilities

• Lead the event plan, timetable, budget and allocation of responsibilities, keeping the Zetetick delivery group updated on progress, risks and decisions.
• Design an accessible winter festival with varied activities, quieter spaces and options that work for different communication, sensory and support needs.
• Work with tenants, Housing colleagues and care providers before the event to shape the programme and a meaningful engagement theme using accessible approaches.
• Source and coordinate the venue, suppliers, activities, catering and other services, ensuring value for money and agreed procurement requirements.
• Plan transport, accessibility, staffing, safeguarding, insurance, risk management and contingency arrangements.
• Work with Communications colleagues to develop accessible invitations, information and engagement materials, including Easy Read, visual or supported formats where appropriate.
• Facilitate or coordinate inclusive engagement on the day, creating clear opportunities for tenant voice, choice and feedback.
• Capture agreed evidence, feedback and outcomes and provide a short post-event evaluation and recommendations.

Person specification

Essential

• Proven experience of planning and delivering events or engagement activities.
• Experience of directly engaging with people with learning disabilities and autistic people, supporting them to have their say and understanding different communication, sensory and support needs.
• Strong communication, relationship-building and organisational skills, with the ability to plan inclusive activities and adapt approaches.
• Experience coordinating venues, suppliers, logistics and partners, and confidence managing a project independently while working collaboratively.
• Understanding of safeguarding and safe working practices with adults who may be at risk.

Desirable

• Specialist experience in participation, co-production or community engagement, including accessible methods such as Easy Read, visual communication, creative expression or supported consultation.
• Knowledge of supported housing, adult social care or the voluntary sector.
• Experience gathering feedback and turning engagement activity into useful evidence or evaluation.

Safeguarding

This assignment involves working with adults who may be at risk. The successful freelancer must follow Zetetick Housing safeguarding policies and procedures and complete any checks or training considered appropriate, including a basic DBS check. 

How to apply

Please send a short statement outlining your relevant experience and approach, examples of similar work, your proposed project fee to include an estimate of time required up to 20 days.

• Closing date: 01 September 2026 
• Interviews/conversations: Rolling on receipt of applications
• Applications: hello@zhc.org.uk

Questions are welcome. Contact Helen Clegg, Fundraising and Communications Manager: hclegg@zhc.org.uk | 07950 688776.