Neurodiversity Co-production and Engagement Lead

Location: Gloucestershire (community-based role with county-wide travel)
Salary: £26,457
Contract: Fixed-term, 12 months
Reporting to: Senior Operational Manager
DBS: Enhanced Disclosure Required

Do you believe people with lived experience should help shape the services they use?

At Rethink Mental Illness, we know that the best services are built with people, not for them.

We're looking for a passionate and creative Neurodiversity Co-Production and Engagement Lead to join our Empowering Minds Gloucestershire service and help drive meaningful change for neurodivergent adults across the county. This exciting one-year project will focus on improving access, experiences and outcomes for people with neurodiversity, including Autism and ADHD, through genuine co-production and engagement.

This is an opportunity to connect with people, amplify lived experience, influence system-wide change and leave a lasting legacy for neurodivergent communities across Gloucestershire.

About the role

You'll lead the development and delivery of a co-production and engagement strategy, bringing together people with lived experience, carers, community organisations, NHS partners, Gloucestershire County Council, and Rethink colleagues to identify opportunities for improvement and create practical recommendations for change.

Working closely with Experts by Experience (EbEs), you'll ensure neurodivergent voices are heard, valued and translated into meaningful action. You'll facilitate engagement events, gather feedback, build partnerships, produce learning reports and champion inclusive practices across services.

No two days will be the same. One day you might be facilitating a co-production workshop, the next attending a partnership board meeting, developing engagement plans or meeting with local community groups to strengthen support pathways.

What you'll be doing

• Developing and delivering a neurodiversity co-production strategy.
• Creating and leading engagement activities, events, surveys and feedback opportunities.
• Recruiting, training and supporting Experts by Experience.
• Building strong relationships with NHS, local authority, voluntary sector and community partners.
• Facilitating safe and inclusive spaces where people can share their experiences.
• Producing reports and recommendations that influence service development and system change.
• Promoting the value of lived experience and co-production across services.
• Representing Rethink at partnership meetings, forums and stakeholder events across Gloucestershire.

Who we're looking for

We're looking for someone who is passionate about inclusion, participation and improving services for neurodivergent people.

You might have personal lived experience of neurodiversity or mental health challenges, experience supporting someone close to you, or professional experience working in neurodiversity, mental health, community engagement or co-production. Most importantly, you'll understand the importance of listening to people and creating opportunities for them to influence change.

You'll bring:

• Knowledge of neurodiversity, mental health and inclusive practice.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence in engaging with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience of partnership working and stakeholder engagement.
• Report writing and presentation skills.
• A commitment to equality, diversity and co-production.
• Good IT skills and the ability to travel independently throughout Gloucestershire.

Experience of facilitating co-production or working alongside Experts by Experience would be an advantage. 

Why join Rethink Mental Illness?

At Rethink, we're working to achieve our mission of a better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness. Every day, we support people across England through our services, information, campaigning and advocacy work. 

When you join us, you'll become part of an organisation that values:

• Connect – We work together.
• Accountable – We do what we say we will do.
• Respect – We believe everyone counts.
• Evolve – We listen, learn and improve.
• Success – We deliver meaningful outcomes.

You'll receive ongoing support, supervision and opportunities for development, while helping to create positive change for neurodivergent people across Gloucestershire.

Ready to make a difference?

If you're passionate about co-production, neurodiversity and ensuring lived experience shapes the future of mental health support, we'd love to hear from you.

Join us and help create services that truly work for the people who use them.