Peer Support Worker

**Peer Support Worker**

**Hours: 25 hours - however variable hours available upon discussion.**

**Salary: £22,880 with progression to £23,920 per annum pro rata**

**Location: Tunbridge Wells, Brains Matter Charity, 3 Culverden Park, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9QT**

More than just a job.. a choice to make a difference

**Why work for us?**

If you are looking for a role where you can have a positive impact on the lives of people living with mental health needs, then this could be the role for you

Mental Health Matters are a national charity who provide innovative and life changing mental health support for both individuals and communities. We offer a diverse range of services, and each and every person who works with us directly contributes to making positive changes, improving mental health and breaking down barriers.

Everything about MHM is people focused, both for our workforce and the people we support. Our people are the driving force of our organisation, and we are committed to having a talented workforce who will make a positive impact on our communities

**About the role**:
We have a really exciting opportunity to join our Crisis Recovery Service as a Peer Support Worker. We 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. You will work alongside our Crisis Recovery Workers and other staff to offer practical and emotional support to clients by drawing directly from your own experience of mental health difficulties or caring for someone who experiences mental health difficulties.

You will work with our experienced team to provide practical and emotional support, allowing you to connect with people and enabling them to build self-confidence, a sense of personal wellbeing, build their own networks and engage with their family, friends, and communities. Your work will include supporting people to achieve their own recovery goals in a personalised non-judgement way.

The service is open Monday - Sunday 6pm - 11pm, 365 days a year and you will be working within MHM’s Tunbridge Wells Safe Haven.

**Responsibilities will include**:

- 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.
- To support clients to access statutory support including psychological interventions.
- To develop and maintain a good working knowledge of community resources and partner organisations to signpost clients and to promote social inclusion.
- 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.

**About you**:
To be successful in this role, you will have experience or knowledge of community mental health services, through lived experience. You will have experience of communicating with people who have difficulties with their mental health in a supportive and beneficial way and be able to demonstrate a proactive and positive attitude.

You need to demonstrate careful listening and a non-judgemental attitude working with people to understand their needs and aspirations and be able to support people’s self-management (that is, the actions people can do to take care of themselves and gain control over their own lives) and be able to place the person at the heart of their own support, working alongside them to achieve their goals.

**What we offer**:
You will go through our comprehensive, in-person training program in your first few weeks with MHM which will give you the tools you need to succeed in the role, as well as offering a great opportunity to get to know your new colleagues. We also offer:

- Competitive salaries, with an annual pay review process
- 25 days Annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus bank holidays
- Enhanced Occupational Sick pay
- Family friendly and flexible working arrangements to support a good work life balance
- Access to our Wellbeing Offer - including EAP, Virtual GP service and wellbeing resources
- Life Assurance and Free Will writing service
- Blue Light Card and Charity Workers discounts
- Access to Tickets for Good
- Bespoke Personal Development and Career Pathways to support you in your role and your career aspirations

All disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential short-listing criteria are guaranteed.

an interview.

MHM is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

**Job Type**: Part-time

Pay: £22,880.00-£23,920.00 per year

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9QT