This is a Permanent, 37.5 vacancy that will close in 12 days at 23:59 BST .
Your role
We are looking for an experienced and passionate Peer Mentorto work across the North East Region.
Imagine being part of an organisation whose common purpose is to help those who are severely impacted by mental illness. We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity – and that’s why equity is one of our core values.We draw on the expertise, unique perspectives and lived experience of our people – regardless of who they are or their background – to help us become inclusive and anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider that reflect the diverse communities we support as a mental health charity.
Peer support occurs when people use their life experiences as a tool to offer support. Those involved both give and receive peer support in a way that is mutual, non-judgmental and has no hierarchy. Research tells us that those who have experienced things before are sometimes the best people to help others in a similar situation.
About the Role
This role will be focused on information sharing, including providing advice and guidance on dealing with mental health issues, and signposting to the relevant services for additional support. Peer Mentors will not be expected to provide any therapy or to manage crisis situations. You will co-facilitate groups or drop-in sessions and provide support for people with tasks they may have trouble with. This could be helping someone who has been released from prison to readjust to community living, this will be done with the support of the RECONNECT Health Care Navigators.
How you will make a difference
RECONNECT and Enhanced RECONNECT services aim to provide a seamless package of support to individuals leaving secure settings and returning to the community, reconnecting individuals with health services to reduce health inequalities and in turn reduce reoffending. Our services are embedded in the prison integrated mental health teams and community settings, supporting in various locations, but primarily based in our community hub outside HMP Durham. We provide 1:1 and group support and support in a variety of settings.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer. We recognise and support staff networks and support groups for our ethnically diverse and LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer statusand are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.
We aim for our workforce to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve; for those who work for us to feel heard, valued and feel they belong; and for our work to help tackle wider mental health inequalities. We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience of mental illness, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and any other gender identity not expressed here (LGBTQIA+); people who are neurodiverse, have a health condition, or a disability or hidden disability and people from an ethnically diverse background- regardless of your age, religious or spiritual belief, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, political view or socio-economic status.
Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation
We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider -and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in ouranti-racist statement .We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in ourRace Equality Action Plan which demonstrates our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation. You can read more about our progress here .
We are passionate about leading the way to a better quality of life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.
Commitment
We work tirelessly to provide support for everyone severely affected by mental illness.
Hope
We offer hope of a better quality of life for all those severely affected by mental illness.
Expertise
We constantly use our expertise to provide practical and personal support for people who are severely affected by mental illness.
People who are severely affected by mental illness are at the heart of everything we do in our organisation – our membership, our governance and our workforce.
Equity
We believe that in a world where discrimination and disadvantage exist, treating people with equity is critical to ensure justice and fairness for all.
We are open and transparent in all our work with beneficiaries, supporters, partners and the public to achieve change for people severely affected by mental illness.
What will you receive?
You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your abilities with the opportunity to make a real difference every day. In addition, you will have excellent development opportunities including funded training, career development, and a range of e-learning courses. You will also receive:
Employer funded pension
Flexible
working
Life
assurance
up to £55 towards the cost of new glasses or lenses
Training opportunities
e-learning courses & much more
Annual
leave
25 days rising to 30, plus bank holidays
PULSE
Reward, Benefits and Recognition Platform
Employee Assistance Programme
Rethink day
1 day’s additional leave (pro rata) on your Birthday
For the full list, see our websitehere .
Our colleagues say
“From the very start I was made to feel welcome and respected in my new team. In the short time I have been working with Rethink Mental Illness as a service administrator I have been able to contribute ideas and make meaningful change, and I appreciate that Rethink allows me to direct my own role development and help me build on the skills I want to work on.”
“Working for Rethink Mental Illness is the most rewarding job I could ask for. As a Peer and Volunteer Co-ordinator I get to work with a huge variety of people, with a range of skills and support them to incorporate those skills into their volunteering roles. I am always looking for gaps that need filling and creating new and exciting opportunities that will benefit our service, mental health in the community, but most importantly the people giving up their time to help.”
“I’ve previously worked in a large corporate environment, in the criminal justice sector and other charities. Without a shadow of a doubt, Rethink Mental Illness has been the best employer I’ve ever had. They care about their staff. Its great working with like-minded people and knowing that you are making a real difference to people’s lives.”
“It feels very rewarding to be part of such a meaningful Organisation where everyone is valued and has the opportunity to make a difference”.
Please be mindful that we may need to close adverts early if we receive a high volume of applications, we, therefore, encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
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