Job description

Job responsibilities

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. This is an exciting opportunity for individuals who are dedicated to the principles of social inclusion, to work with people with mental health needs. Working across the different crisis cafes, the post holder will support our Crisis Recovery Workers in helping people in distress and in need of immediate support. The service is open 6pm till 11pm and we are open 7 days a week, 365 days per year. 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 week of employment 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. In addition, you will receive:

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.

Closing Date: 5th July 2024* *The closing date given is a guide. We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so we advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment. 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. MHM is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Completion of Peer Support Worker Training or willingness to undertake such training in the first 12 months of employment, dependant on course availability.

Desirable

• Educated to GCSE standard or equivalent.

Experience

Essential

• 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 people's 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.
• Able to keep good and accurate records.

Desirable

• 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 details

Employer name

Mental Health Matters

Address

Kestrel House, Knightrider Street, Maidstone, Kent. ME15 6LU

Maidstone

ME15 6LU