Community Connectors are local support roles intended to help people participate in ordinary civic and community life. The service is about connection: understanding what somebody would like to take part in, identifying suitable local opportunities and helping overcome practical barriers that might otherwise make participation difficult.
When a Community Connector may be useful
A person might benefit from support if they want to become more involved locally but do not know what is available, need help making an initial connection with a group or activity, or find local civic and community information difficult to navigate. The emphasis is on practical participation rather than assessment or treatment.
What support can involve
Support is optional, proportionate and normally short term. A Connector can help somebody understand local opportunities, identify an appropriate activity or organisation, make an introduction or think through a practical obstacle to taking part. The person remains in control of whether they want the support and which opportunities they choose to pursue.
The service can also work alongside Rosehaven's neighbourhood, wellbeing, local-information and integration functions. That allows a resident to move from general information to a more personal connection where this would genuinely help, without turning ordinary community participation into formal casework unnecessarily.
What Community Connectors do not do
Community Connectors are not therapists, social workers, police officers or immigration decision-makers. They do not carry out statutory social-care assessments, safeguarding investigations, immigration or status decisions, operational policing or sentence supervision. Where somebody needs a service outside the Connector role, the appropriate response is to identify the competent service rather than stretch the local support role beyond its purpose.
Confidentiality and appropriate boundaries
When the service is established, residents will need clear information about what information is recorded, how introductions are made and when a concern has to be directed to a competent safeguarding or emergency service. The service model must preserve the voluntary character of ordinary participation while recognising the professional boundaries that apply to council staff.
Current position
Rosehaven Council has not commenced Community Connectors. There is no Rosehaven referral or request route and nobody is currently presented as a Rosehaven Community Connector. Practical eligibility, contact and service arrangements will be published when the council establishes the service.