Communications Officer

Join our team as a Communications Officer and make a difference!

Do you want a job where you can help others and have a positive impact on your community?  Then we’ve got the perfect role for you.

Our small, friendly Marketing and Communications team plays a vital part in helping Ashgate share its purpose, raise awareness and champion outstanding palliative and end of life care for people across North Derbyshire. We work closely with colleagues from every corner of the hospice - from our clinical teams to retail, fundraising and Supportive Care - to tell the stories that matter and to make sure our messages are clear, compassionate and true to our values.

As our new Communications Officer, you’ll be joining a supportive, creative and values driven team that takes real pride in the work we do. We’re a busy service, but there’s plenty of camaraderie, lots of collaboration and a genuine sense of purpose in everything we deliver.

This role is central to our charitable purpose. You’ll help us connect with local people and strengthen our voice within the community and beyond by leading on media relations, creating engaging content, and developing sensitive and powerful case studies that highlight the hospice's vital work. You’ll build strong relationships with colleagues, partners and media contacts, sharing insights and ideas to help us make the biggest possible impact.

This is a hands-on role - perfect if you love variety and want to make a tangible difference by sharing the stories of patients, the people important to them, and our teams in a compassionate and professional way. The role is 2.5 days per week, and those hours can be worked flexibly across the week.

About the role

Ashgate Hospice is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. This means we are committed to inclusive hiring and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.

Hours: 18.75 hours, flexibility for when these hours are worked.  

Key responsibilities:

• Developing and delivering media relations activity, including press releases, statements and proactive engagement with journalists.
• Building effective media relationships locally, nationally and within the sector.
• Producing compelling case studies, stories and content for print, digital and social channels.
• Ensuring all communications are accurate, high quality and aligned with Ashgate’s strategic priorities and brand values.
• Monitoring media coverage, evaluating impact and sharing insights to inform future activity.

For the full details, you can read the attached job description or give the recruiting manager a call on 07736 934 963 for an informal chat (it may be possible to arrange a visit to the hospice).

What you’ll bring:

We’re looking for someone who’s thoughtful, curious and confident in their craft — someone who cares about getting the story right and understands the power of good communication in helping people feel informed, reassured and connected.

Here’s what will help you thrive in this role:

• Strong writing skills with great attention to detail.
• Recent experience in media relations, journalism or communications, with examples of content you’ve created or stories you’ve placed.
• The ability to produce engaging content for different audiences and channels, including digital and social.
• Confident communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with colleagues and media contacts.
• A proactive, organised approach and the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Solid IT skills, including Microsoft 365 and SharePoint.
• Level 2 English and maths (or equivalent).

It’s a bonus if you have experience in a charity or healthcare setting, further qualifications in communications or journalism, or CIPR membership - but these aren’t essential.

If you bring enthusiasm, compassion, and a real interest in telling meaningful stories, we’d love to hear from you.

About Ashgate:

Ashgate Hospice, based in North Derbyshire, offers free palliative and end of life care for adults with life-limiting or incurable illnesses, including cancer, neurological diseases, and advanced heart, kidney, and lung conditions. Last year, we cared for over 2,400 people. Our aim is to support our patients by keeping them informed, managing their symptoms, and improving their quality of life from diagnosis onwards.

We also provide vital support to the people who are important to them, offering practical assistance and emotional support, including bereavement services.

We’re more than a care provider. We’re a campaigner for sustainable end of life care funding in the UK, and we continually invest in our services and workforce.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do:

• We are compassionate.
• We are a team.
• We are respectful, open, and inclusive.

We value diversity and inclusion and encourage applicants from all backgrounds.

We strive to create a workplace that’s happy, safe, and supportive – and our team seems to agree! In fact, 89% of staff would recommend Ashgate Hospice as an employer.

We know how important wellbeing and work-life balance are, which is why we’re open to flexible work arrangements, including job-sharing.

As part of our team, you’ll have access to training opportunities to help you grow, both personally and professionally. Whether you want to develop in your current role or explore new career paths, we’ll support you every step of the way.

Want to know more about what it’s like to work with us? Visit our website, check out our social media channels, or listen to our podcast, The Life and Death Podcast. It’s a great way to get a sense of the Ashgate team and the difference we make.

Benefits of joining us

At Ashgate, we take care of the people who take care of others. Here are some of the benefits we offer:

• Generous holiday entitlement, with the option to increase it through our Annual Buy and Sell Leave Scheme.
• A flexible working approach to help meet your needs and ours, including options like job-sharing.
• A Cycle to Work scheme and a Tech Benefit scheme to help spread the cost of your next bike or gadget.
• Health Cash Plan, giving you money back on treatments like physiotherapy, dental care, and eye tests.
• Access to a range of discounts, with discounts at hundreds of high-street retailers.
• A confidential Employee Assistance Programme, offering free, round-the-clock support when you need it.
• A pension scheme with up to 7% employer contribution, helping you save for the future.
• A life assurance scheme, giving peace of mind for you and those important to you, up to age 65.
• A commitment to your personal and professional development, with training opportunities to help you grow.
• Free, on-site parking whenever you're working at the hospice.
• Discounted, onsite café at our Old Brampton site, available to all staff
• A wide range of initiatives to support your wellbeing, and the time out to practice self-care

Ready to make a difference?

To learn more about the role, please contact Cat Maddy, Head of Marketing and Communications at 01246 568 801 or email cat.maddy@ashgatehospice.rg.uk. You can arrange to visit the hospice to see what it would be like to work with us.

Please note: Applications must be submitted via the ‘Apply Now’ button on our website. Applications sent directly to HR or the recruiting manager will not be accepted.

Proposed interview date: 30 July 2026

Additional information:

• If you're successful, you'll need to complete a standard DBS check as part of our pre-employment process. You can find more details in the candidate assistant notes.
• As a healthcare provider, we prioritise the safety of our patients, staff, and visitors. That's why we encourage and recommend all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive the flu jab—unless there's a compelling reason not too
• If you need any help with the recruitment process, our HR team is here to assist. You can reach them at hr@ashgatehospice.org.uk or call 01246 568 801.

Additional support for candidates

• We’re committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive, fair, and accessible to everyone.
• Reasonable adjustments: We are pleased to offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process for individuals with disabilities, neurodiverse conditions, or long-term health needs.
• Shortlisting commitment: In line with our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, we guarantee to shortlist any disabled candidate who meets the essential criteria for the role.
• Interview preparation: All shortlisted candidates will receive their interview questions in advance to help you feel fully prepared.

Accessibility resources:

• If you need assistance completing your online application, you can contact the Disability Employment Service/Youth Employment Service by emailing ASCH.Disability.EmploymentProject@derbyshire.gov.uk.
• We encourage you to complete and share your Health Adjustment Passport. This helps us understand any adjustments or support you might need. Even if you choose not to share it, the passport can be a valuable tool for your own benefit.. This helps us understand any adjustments or support you might need. Even if you choose not to share it, the passport can be a valuable tool for your own benefit.
• You can also access support through the Access to Work scheme. a government initiative designed to help you start or remain in work if you have a health condition or disability. This includes support for the recruitment process. Learn more on the Access to Work webpage

For further guidance or information, these resources may also be helpful:

• Looking for work if you are disabled
• Reed in Partnership, Chesterfield Office: Call 0124 695 6275
• Disability Employment Service, Derbyshire County Council

If you have any questions about adjustments or the recruitment process, please contact our HR team at hr@ashgatehospice.org.uk or call 01246 568 801.