Peer Support Worker

**Job Title**: Peer Support Worker Hours of work: 2 positions available (12.5 hours per week and 16.5 hours per week) Service opening hours: 6pm - 10pm Monday - Friday and 2pm - 10pm weekends. Salary: £22,000 with progression up to £23,000 per annum Base: York Haven, 30 Clarence Street, York About us Mental Health Matters (MHM) is a national charity with over 35 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, from Northumberland to Plymouth, 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 our clients and service users. About the role As a Peer Support Worker within our Crisis Recovery Service, you will work alongside 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.

**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 and; Live the values of Peer Support as described in the PSW Competency Framework 2020. About you You will have experience or knowledge of community mental health services, whether through lived experience or work. 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 will be able to demonstrate careful listening and a non-judgemental attitude working with people to understand their needs and aspirations.

You will 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. MHM offers 25 days annual leave per annum, plus statutory holidays and a 5% contributory pension scheme. At MHM not only can you expect a competitive salary, generous annual leave and pension entitlement, you can also expect to be supported in your ongoing personal and professional development.
- All disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential short-listing criteria are guaranteed an interview. MHM is an Equal Opportunities Employer.