Current Vacancies

Fancy being the face of a vibrant community project? We are looking for an enthusiastic, welcoming, and highly-organised individual to take on the freelance contract role of Curiosity Cafe Host (Session Facilitator and Volunteer Manager). This is a short-term contract to deliver, initially, 5 monthly sessions over 5 months in Smethwick and Bearwood.  Sessions will be on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, 2pm-5pm and 6pm-8pm, at Thimblemill Library.  We will start on 19 May 2026.

 

While you will receive project management support from Hub staff, you will be responsible for the practical, on-the-ground delivery of the Cafe: setting a welcoming tone, facilitating the entire session (afternoon or evening), managing a small team of Station Volunteers, and overseeing the smooth running of all five interactive stations—from the Knowledge & Skills Sharing Station to the Map of Memories. 

 

If you have proven experience hosting and facilitating large groups in a community or public setting, a calm problem-solving approach, and a genuine commitment to connecting with people in the Smethwick and Bearwood area, we invite you to submit a quotation and a brief introduction detailing how you meet our brief. For the detailed brief, click on the green button below!

 

The Host will be the primary point of contact and lead facilitator for the sessions, ensuring their smooth and successful delivery according to our already-established delivery plan.  This contract value is £1,500 and will cover the first 5 sessions depending on day rate and the preparation/inception meeting time.

 

What is the Curiosity Cafe?

 

The Curiosity Cafe is a free, friendly, and relaxed monthly meet-up for everyone in Smethwick and Bearwood. It’s a place designed for peer support and sharing, where you can connect with neighbours to swap skills, learn new things, and share items and resources. It’s all about creating a helpful, connected community that works together.

 

The Curiosity Cafe drop-in will take place on the third Tuesday of every month, starting on 19th May 2026, in the afternoon (2pm–5pm) and the evening (6pm–8pm).

 

What is the point of the Cafe?

 

The main goals of the Curiosity Cafe are to:

• Share skills and knowledge with your neighbours. If you have a skill to teach or something you want to learn, this is the place to do it.

• Share things you own to help others and contribute to a more 'circular economy' by borrowing and lending items like tools (this happens at the Library of Things station).

• Work together to solve local problems. It’s a chance to speak up about issues that bother you—like litter, traffic, or other community needs—and find solutions.

• Connect with local services and support. The cafe acts as a hub to find resources in the local area.

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Why do we need YOU?

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