Rethink Mental Illness
Neurodiversity Co-production and Engagement Lead
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
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
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.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
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 organizational 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 organization 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.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
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.
Why join Rethink Mental Illness?
We believe people do their best work when they feel supported, valued, and able to be themselves. You'll benefit from:
- An inclusive culture, with colleague-led staff networks for Disability & Neurodiversity, Race & Ethnicity, LGBTQIA+, Gender Equality, and Menopause.
- Flexible working and 25 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays and your birthday off), with the option to buy or sell leave.
- Wellbeing support including our Wellbeing Hub, Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Champions, and Unmind.
- Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career.
- Financial and family benefits including a contributory pension, enhanced family leave, and travel schemes.
- Recognition and rewards including discounts, cashback offers, and a Blue Light Card.
- Referral bonus where you can earn up to £300 for introducing someone to our team.
Our commitment to inclusion
We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. We're also committed to becoming a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organization, and service provider supported by a multi-year equity, diversity, and inclusion programme of work. For more information, please view Revised EDI Plan Rethink.
We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and want everyone to have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and experience. If you need reasonable adjustments during recruitment or when in your role, please let us know, and we will work with you to understand what support you need.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London