As a Peer Support Worker in The Mooring services, you will collaborate with Crisis Recovery Workers and other team members to provide both practical and emotional support to people who use the service. This support will stem from your personal experience with mental health challenges or caring for someone facing similar difficulties.
Main duties of the job
* Give them a sense of hope and wellbeing and support them to gain a sense of control over their lives
* Help them engage with, and build connections and a sense of belonging to their local communities
* Help them gain satisfaction in different parts of their lives
* Live the values of Peer Support as described in the PSW Competency Framework 2020
* To draw on their own personal experience to offer insight and understanding
* To behave in a supportive, respectful, and non-judgemental way and promote diversity within services
* Challenge stigma in communities, in service and with stakeholder organisations
* To support clients and Recovery Workers to create collaborative plans which identify the clients goals and steps they wish to take to achieve them
* To work alongside the client through their journey to achieve their personal goals
* To work with people in a face to face, virtual and telephone-based way to offer responsive support, including in crisis (Haven)
* To support clients to access statutory support including psychological interventions
* To support clients to access and make use of digital technologies
* To develop and maintain a good working knowledge of community resources and partner organisations to signpost clients and to promote Social Induction
* To encourage clients to engage positively in the wider community and to signpost to partner agencies as required
* To co-facilitate some groups and activities
About us
Mental Health Matters (MHM) is a national charity with nearly 40 years of experience in delivering high-quality mental health and social care services. We have a positive impact on the lives of people living with mental health needs in our local communities. We provide services across England, led by a highly motivated and enthusiastic workforce who are committed to delivering the best quality services to those in need of support. Everything about MHM is people focused, our people are central to delivering the highest quality of service and care to those who use the service.
Job responsibilities
Job Title: Peer Support Worker
Location: Exeter- The Mooring, Wonford Hospital, Dryden Rd, EX2 5AF
Hours: 12 hours per week
Salary: £23,909.60 - £24,876.80 FTE
Based: The Mooring Torquay 12hr position, The Mooring Exeter 12hr position, The Mooring Barnstaple 12hr position
Important: YOU MUST specify which location you are applying for on the application form.
This is an exciting opportunity for individuals who are dedicated to the principles of social inclusion, to work with adults with mental health needs and to support people in distress and in need of immediate support. The Mooring is an open access service offering emotional and mental health support to anyone 18+ and offers a service across day and evening/weekend hours. The service will be open: Exeter 4pm-10pm, (Friday to Tuesday).
As a Peer Support Worker in The Mooring services, you will collaborate with Crisis Recovery Workers and other team members to provide both practical and emotional support to people who use the service. This support will stem from your personal experience with mental health challenges or caring for someone facing similar difficulties.
You will join our skilled team to offer valuable assistance, fostering connections that help individuals build self-confidence, enhance their sense of well‑being, and develop their own networks. Your role will include guiding people who use the service towards achieving their recovery goals in a personalised and non-judgmental manner.
* Supporting people who use the service throughout their journey to reach their personal objectives.
* Facilitating weekly groups to aid individuals in their wellness recovery.
* Supporting existing workshops and groups that are currently active within the services.
* Offering responsive support through face-to-face, virtual, and telephone interactions.
* Assisting people who use the service in accessing statutory support.
* Developing and maintaining a solid understanding of community resources and partner organisations to effectively signpost clients and promote social inclusion.
* Instilling a sense of hope and well‑being while empowering people who use the service to regain control over their lives.
* Helping those who use the service engage with and establish connections within their local communities.
About You
You will bring lived experience of community mental health services. Your ability to communicate effectively with individuals facing mental health challenges will be crucial, demonstrating a supportive and constructive approach. You will demonstrate active listening and a non-judgmental approach, collaborating closely with individuals to support their wellbeing and recovery journey. Your ability to support individuals in self‑management – enabling them to take care of themselves and regain control over their lives – will be essential. You will prioritise placing the person at the centre of their own support, collaborating with them to achieve their goals.
What we offer
* A minimum of 25 days annual leave per annum, plus statutory holidays, rising with length of service.
* A 5% contributory pension scheme, with the opportunity to increase contributions.
* A holistic approach to your health and wellbeing, including Employee assistance programme and personalised wellbeing action plans.
* Enhanced family friendly policies, pay and leave.
* Cycle to work scheme.
* Discounted gym membership.
* Healthcare cash plan.
* A discount platform covering online, high street and supermarket purchases.
* You will receive a tailored induction and probation review program which will give you the tools you need to succeed in the role.
* Our structured career development pathways and support from our accredited Learning Team will provide you with advice and guidance on how to access development to allow you to flourish in your chosen career.
*All candidates selected for an interview are required to deliver a brief presentation, lasting no longer than five minutes, on how they would manage a peer support group. This presentation should cover their advertising strategies and identify current trends in running such a group.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Completion of Peer Support Worker Training or willingness to undertake such training in the first 12 months of employment, dependent on course availability.
* Educated to GCSE standard or equivalent.
Experience
* Good standard of written English.
* Able to demonstrate a lived experience of mental health difficulties and supporting someone with a mental health difficulty.
* Able to demonstrate careful listening and empathy and a non-judgemental attitude.
* Able to support peoples self‑management (that is, the actions people can do to take care of themselves and gain control over their own lives).
* Understanding of recovery‑focused and person‑centred approaches.
* Ability to communicate effectively within a Team and externally with voluntary and statutory agencies.
* Good interpersonal and listening skills.
* Able to plan and prioritise workload and meet competing demands.
* Able to demonstrate a commitment to self‑development, training and CPD.
* Able to motivate, support clients, volunteers.
* Able to work effectively unsupervised and as part of a team.
* Experience of working in a recovery setting or in a coaching role.
* Experience of training, teaching, coaching /mentoring others.
* Good IT skills including Microsoft Office packages.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer name
Mental Health Matters
Address
Exeter- The Mooring, Wonford Hospital, Dryden Rd, EX2 5AF
How to Apply
We operate Safer Recruitment processes, so if you are interested in this role, you will need to apply via our online application form. Please ensure you answer all of the mandatory questions, and attach your personal statement showing how you meet the person specification criteria. This can be done on a separate document and uploaded as part of your application supporting documents.
We are an equal opportunities employer. We really value diversity and are committed to ensuring our processes are inclusive. We may ask some personal information during the application process, however, everything we ask is to ensure we can offer fair and accessible opportunities for everyone.
Please note that due to the sensitive nature of the duties, an enhanced DBS will be sought in event of a successful application. All disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential short‑listing criteria are guaranteed an interview. If you have any questions regarding this role, please contact Bryony Baker.
J-18808-Ljbffr