Friends of the River Medway (FORM) is recruiting two freelancers to help bring people closer to the river over winter and spring 2026-27. Each role is part-time, works closely with the Executive Director, and builds on projects, relationships and plans that are already in place.
Events Coordinator (Forest Row)
Dates: January - April 2027
Time: 0.5 days per week, 5 days in total (might increase)
Fee: £160 per day
Reports to: Exec Director
Location: Forest Row
Purpose: To plan and deliver community events in Forest Row that get local people out to the river, caring for it and celebrating it, and to support the project management and organisation of FORM's local activity in Forest Row more widely. You will work closely with the Executive Director, who will set a clear vision, informed by the Board, and support and guide you throughout. Your job is to turn that vision into well-organised projects and well-run, welcoming events, building on the foundations, partners and volunteers already in place.
Key responsibilities
Project management and organisation
Support the Executive Director with the project management of FORM's local work in Forest Row, keeping plans, timelines and actions on track.
Help organise local events and activities in Forest Row beyond the two main events, as agreed with the Executive Director.
Keep project documents, contacts and records organised and up to date.
Meet regularly with the Executive Director to agree priorities and report on progress.
Events
Agree a plan, timeline and budget for each event with the Executive Director.
Book venues and sites, and secure landowner and council permissions where needed.
Liaise with farmers, speakers, local groups, schools and businesses taking part.
Recruit, brief and look after volunteers on the day.
Arrange equipment, including litter-pick kit, bags, gloves and waste collection with the council.
Write risk assessments and make sure safeguarding, first aid and insurance are in place.
Manage sign-ups and attendance, and keep accurate records.
Provide event details and photos to the Social Media Strategist for promotion.
Run the events on the day, keeping them safe, friendly and on time.
Person specification
Essential
Experience organising community, outdoor or public events from start to finish.
Highly organised, able to juggle several events and deadlines on limited hours.
Confident communicator with volunteers, landowners, farmers and the public.
Practical knowledge of risk assessments and event health and safety.
Able to follow a brief and work to clear direction, using your own initiative on the detail.
Available in person in Forest Row on event days, including some weekends.
Desirable
Local knowledge and contacts in Forest Row, the Ashdown Forest area or along the Medway.
Experience of volunteer-led environmental activity such as clean-ups or river days.
Links with local farming or food networks.
First aid certificate and a full driving licence.
Social Media Strategist & Graphic Designer
Dates: November 2026 - film launch in March 2027
Time: 1 day of initial strategy, then 0.5 days per week (about 11 days in total)
Fee: £200-250 per day, depending on experience
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: Remote
Purpose: To run social media for Friends of the River Medway. This includes general posting for FORM, but the main focus of the role is promoting River Pilgrim, a new documentary following the 2025 River Medway Pilgrimage, and building excitement and an audience in the run-up to its launch in March 2027. You will work under close oversight from FORM's Executive Director so that everything published fits our voice and values.
You will look after two accounts:
@riverpilgrim, the film's account - focused on promoting the film and its launch.
@formedway_, the Friends of the River Medway account - general posting about FORM's work, events and supporters.
Key responsibilities
Spend the first day setting a strategy for both accounts: audiences, goals, key messages, platforms, tone and a content calendar to launch.
Lead the promotion of River Pilgrim, including a countdown campaign towards the March launch and promotion of screenings.
Grow the Instagram following for the film and for FORM.
Plan, design and schedule regular posts, stories and short videos, using film clips, stills and behind-the-scenes material.
Create on-brand graphics in Canva, including templates, launch and screening assets, and event promotion.
Keep FORM's own account active with general posts about our work, and promote FORM's events with the Events Coordinator.
Engage with followers and partner organisations, replying to comments and building relationships.
Agree all content with the Executive Director before it goes out.
Report monthly on reach, engagement and follower growth, and adjust the plan as needed.
Person specification
Essential
A proven track record of successful promotion on social media, with examples you can show us.
Demonstrable success in building Instagram followings.
Experience planning and running successful social media campaigns.
Strong graphic design skills and confident use of Canva.
A portfolio showing your social media and design work.
Clear, engaging writing for social media.
Able to work to a brief, take feedback well and meet deadlines.
Good judgement about tone and brand, across two different accounts.
Desirable
Experience promoting a film, documentary, book or arts launch.
Experience with environmental, heritage or charity campaigns.
Short-form video editing skills.
Use of scheduling and analytics tools.
An interest in rivers, nature or the Medway and its communities.
How to apply
Please send a CV (or a short summary of relevant experience) and a cover letter of no more than one page to hello@formedway.org by 12 November with the title of the role that you are applying for. In the cover letter, we recommend you include a section on why this work matters to you. NB: For the Social Media Strategist & Graphic Designer role, include a link to your portfolio, examples of campaigns you have run, and the results (e.g., follower growth).
Interviews will be held online from 13 November. The Events Coordinator role starts in January 2027, and the Social Media Strategist & Graphic Designer role starts at the end of November 2026.
We welcome applications from everyone, especially people from communities that are under-represented in environmental work. If you need any adjustments to apply or interview, please let us know.