We're Hiring Hosts for the 2025/26 Summer Season
Support real connection. Lead local community sessions.
Season Duration:1 October 2025 – 30 March 2026
Locations:Geelong | Werribee | Ocean Grove | Torquay | Portarlington
Are you someone who enjoys bringing people together in thoughtful, welcoming ways? Do you believe that small, regular community moments can have a lasting impact on mental health and social wellbeing?
The Connect Initiativeis a values-led, Victorian-based social enterprise focused on reducing loneliness by fostering meaningful local connections through accessible group sessions in movement, mindfulness, and conversation. We're currently looking forlocal Hoststo support and lead our sessions for the upcoming summer season.
About the Host Role
As a Connect Host, you'll manage and lead1–2 sessions per weekin your area. Each session is designed to be low-pressure, inclusive, and welcoming for attendees. You won't need to regularly run movement or mindfulness content yourself—we'll connect you with our team of qualified Facilitators/Practitioners to lead that part.
Your Host role focuses on:
* Welcoming guests and creating a friendly, inclusive environment that embraces and connects with every individual
* Leading a short group icebreaker/connection activity (10–15 min) at each session
* Hosting a casual coffee catch-up after each session that encourages conversation and helps others build friendships and community
* Coordinating event sessions and booking facilitators/practitioners (from our approved facilitator/practitioner network)
* Setting up and packing down each session
* Welcoming and checking participants in on arrival and ensuring registrations/ticket payments are complete
* Assisting to promote local sessions in your area and being a brand ambassador for The Connect ?Initiative
Time commitment per session is approximately 2hours including set up/pack down, structured session, and hosting coffee catch up after each session.
Who This Role Might Suit
This role is ideal for people who are naturally social, warm and great at putting others at ease—especially those who love creating meaningful conversations and connections in real life.
You might be:
* Anactor, performer, or teaching artist looking for flexible, people-centred work
* Anextrovertwho thrives on community and helping people feel included
* Anatural leaderwho's often the first to introduce new people or start a group chat
* Anetwork builderwho loves connecting people with similar interests
* Someone who genuinely cares abouthelping introverted or lonely peoplefeel safe, welcome, and supported
* A person who values community over ego and kindness over small talk
What You'll Need
* Confidence working with small groups in public spaces and leading short activities at that build connection amongst group members (think leading 'ice-breaker' type activities and generating coffee conversations)
* Strong organisational skills and a calm, embracing and welcoming presence
* Exceptional communication skills
* A desire to be a community leader advocating and acting to bring an end to loneliness through building local connections
* A currentFirst Aid Certificate(including CPR)
* Your ownABNand validPublic Liability/Professional Indemnity Insurance
* (Ideally) aWorking With Children Check and current Police Check
You don't need to be a health or wellness professional—but experience in community engagement, education, events, or people-focused work is a bonus.
What We Provide
We support you so you can focus on making each session meaningful. You'll receive:
* A ready-to-goEvent Kitfor the season (including equipment, signage and basic session supplies)
* Allvenue hire/permit arrangements and feeshandled and paid for by our team
* Ticket management and attendee management by us, including a user-friendlyticketing and registration platform that allows you to just check-in attendees on arrival
* A trustednetwork of trained, insured, session facilitators/practitioners for every session
* Marketing templates and plansto promote sessions locally and on social media. We pay for advertising
* Social media, advertising, marketing and promotionof all sessions, including promotion of your personal business (if applicable)
* Ongoing support by phone and email, as well as Host training and optional opportunities to attend networking events with other Hosts and local Facilitators/Practitioners
* Opportunities to participate in or runPop-Up, Connect+ or ICONIC Connect events (additional earning opportunities)
* Ability to promote your own business at our other community events (with co-branding support)
How You're Paid
This is acontractor role, not an employee position. It's also NOT a Franchisee, MLMor other pyramid type scheme We are a small growing business looking for genuine contractor partners
You'll be paid:
* Aflat monthly fee (scalable based on hosting 1-2 weekly sessions)
* PLUS apercentage of ticket salesfrom your hosted sessions
We'll talk you through this during our first conversation to make sure it's the right fit.
Why Become a Connect Host?
* Be part of a social enterprise making a tangible difference to end loneliness through building community connections
* Meet and work with likeminded, community-minded people
* Build your own presence and brand in the local community
* Support your own small business or passion project through co-branding opportunities
* Gain access to training, mentoring, and business-building support
* Help people feel seen, welcomed, and connected
How to Apply
To learn more or express interest in hosting, visit:
www.theconnectinitiative.com/work-with-us
Have questions? We're happy to chat—transparency matters to us.
Together, let's make connection more accessible in every neighbourhood
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