Supported by
Flexible, paid work in your own community - with free professional training and certificates you can add to your CV. No experience needed.
Real conversations, real people, right across the North.
What is a Local Listener?
Local Listeners take time to listen to others in everyday settings, creating space for stories, experiences and perspectives that are often unheard. It's simple, human work: being paid to have meaningful one-to-one conversations with people in your own community.
Why become a Local Listener
Local Listeners have everyday conversations with people across the North and capture what they hear. It's meaningful, flexible work that gives back as much as you put in.
A freelance role you fit around your life. You're paid for the conversations you capture, on your own schedule.
Free access to our full training library, with professional certificates you can download and add to your CV.
The voices you capture shape real research and change across communities in the North of England.
A friendly induction, an easy-to-use app, and a team behind you every step of the way. No experience needed.
Free training, included
Every Local Listener gets free access to our full training library - short, professional courses aligned to UK best practice. Pass a quick knowledge check and instantly download a certificate you can add to your CV and LinkedIn. It's yours to keep, completely free.
Eleven courses, all free. Recognised, UK-aligned training and certificates you keep for life - whatever you do next.
Who we're looking for
There's no special background needed - just a genuine willingness to listen. We're interested in people who are:
Open, warm and approachable
Good listeners who ask thoughtful questions
Empathetic and respectful of different experiences
Connected to their local community
Comfortable having one-to-one conversations
No experience or qualifications needed - if you care about your community and enjoy meaningful conversations, this could be for you.
Why it matters
Local Listeners sit with people across the North and simply listen. Here are some of the things people have shared - in their own words.
When someone actually listens, you feel lighter.
Talking to you helped me get a lot off my chest.
It's the little things that make you feel human.
The people make this place. Kindness makes this place.
I imagine a community where we care as much as we complain.
Things could be better if people actually listened.
Real words from people our Local Listeners have spoken with, shared anonymously.
How it works
It's a simple, supported journey - and you'll never be thrown in at the deep end.
Fill in the short eligibility form below - it only takes a few minutes.
We'll invite you to an introduction session to meet the team and ask questions.
Complete your free training and earn certificates for your CV.
Head out into your community, capture conversations, and get paid.
Tell us a little about yourself with this short eligibility form. It helps us understand your availability and suitability for the Local Listener role - and it's the first step before an introduction session.
Got a question first? Contact James, our Connection and Impact Manager, at james@peoplespowerhouse.org.uk
