Connectea Pilot Coordinator
Job Description
What Connectea is?
\nConnectea is a small startup building the first platform where lonely or isolated people can find a paid companion for real, in-person time together — starting with a cup of tea. Every companion is a direct employee of Connectea: vetted, DBS-checked, and trained before they meet anyone. The platform is built and ready. What we need now is to test it with real people in one London borough.
\nWhat we need?
\nOne person to own the pilot end to end. Not a project manager. Not a marketer. Someone who is comfortable walking into a community centre, having an honest conversation with an older person or their family, and bringing people together in a way that feels safe and trustworthy.
\n\nWhat you will actually do?
\nWeeks 1–2 — Recruit
\n• Find 5 families or individuals in your borough who are experiencing isolation and would welcome a companion visiting at home — visits are free to families during the pilot.
\n• Find 5 companions — warm, reliable people from any background. They will be employed directly by Connectea at £20/hr. You help us find them; we handle employment paperwork.
\n• DBS checks for you and every companion are funded by Connectea.
\n• Use your existing networks — GP surgeries, community centres, faith organisations, local Age UK, social prescribing contacts, word of mouth.
\nWeeks 3–4 — Run the introductions
\n• Onboard companions onto the Connectea platform (we will support this fully).
\n• Match each family with a companion based on location and basic fit.
\n• Facilitate the first introduction for each pair — be present or available, not just sending an email.
\n• Ensure the Three-Way Introduction protocol is followed for every first visit (a trusted third person present — we will explain this fully).
\nThroughout — Weekly progress update
\n• Send a short update to the founder each week: who you have recruited, how introductions are going, anything unexpected, any support you need.
\n• No formal format needed — a few bullet points or a voice note is fine.
\nWeeks 5–6 — Collect feedback and close out
\n• Check in with each family and companion after their first 1–2 visits.
\n• Run a short structured conversation using questions we provide — what felt right, what felt uncomfortable, what they would change.
\n• Write a short plain-language summary of what you found. No formal report — just honest observations.
\n\nWhat we are looking for in you?
\n• You have worked in community development, social prescribing, voluntary sector coordination, or a similar role — you have genuine existing relationships in at least one London borough.
\n• You are comfortable approaching and talking with older or isolated people and their families. This is not a desk job.
\n• You are practical and self-directed — you do not need close supervision.
\n• You believe the idea is worth trying. We are not asking for cheerleading, but a degree of genuine interest matters.
\nYou do not need startup experience. You do not need to know how platforms work. You just need to know your community and be willing to be honest with us about what you find.
\nWhat we are offering?
\nFee: £1,000 fixed lump sum for the full 6-week engagement (negotiable), paid in two instalments.
\nAs a companion: You will also be employed as a Connectea companion during the pilot, paid at £20/hr for any visits you personally deliver.
\nHours: Roughly 1–2 days per week, flexible around your existing commitments.
\nReporting: Weekly check-in with the founder — short update, no formal format needed.
\nLonger term: If the pilot goes well and the relationship works, there may be an opportunity to continue in a more permanent role as Connectea grows.
\nPractical Details
\nLocation: One London borough — ideally Richmond, Kingston, Wandsworth, or Guildford, but open to other boroughs if your networks are strongest elsewhere.
\nStart date: As soon as the right person is found.
\nHours: Approximately 6-8 hours per week.
\nRemote or in-person: Your community work will be in-person by nature; everything else can be done remotely.
\nDBS checks: Funded by Connectea for you and every companion recruited into the pilot.
\n\nHow to apply?
\nSend a short message — no CV needed unless you want to share one — to [email protected] telling us:
\n• Which borough your networks are in.
\n• What kind of work you have been doing and why this role interests you.
\n• When you could start.
\nWe will respond to everyone within 3 working days.
