At a Glance
- Tasks: Use your lived experience to shape children's mental health initiatives and influence decision-making.
- Company: Join Anna Freud, a leading charity dedicated to improving mental health for young people.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive salary, free counselling, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for personal growth and impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while gaining valuable research experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in advisory groups and a passion for youth advocacy.
The predicted salary is between 31064 - 31064 £ per year.
Location: London
Application Deadline: Thursday, September 10, 2026
Deadline Time: 12:00 PM
Positions Available: 1
Vacancy Type: Fixed Term/Part Time
Working Hours: 14 hours per week - flexible working is possible
Salary: £31,064 per annum FTE, plus 6% contributory pension scheme
Job Summary: Use your lived experience to shape the future of children’s mental health. Anna Freud is seeking a Peer Researcher to join our world-leading mental health charity for children, young people and their families. Our mission is to close the gap in wellbeing and mental health by advancing, translating, delivering, and sharing the best science and practice with everyone who impacts the lives of children, young people and their families.
Our EDI commitment: We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and being an equal opportunities employer, whereby equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are core to our recruitment practices. All candidates who meet the job criteria will be considered for employment, regardless of ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic background, caring responsibilities and care experience. We ask candidates to share their diversity dimensions with us to help us identify, tackle and prevent bias across the employee lifecycle. We believe a diverse workforce enhances our ability to support mental health and wellbeing, allowing us to better meet the needs of the children, young people and families we serve. As a Disability Confident employer, disabled candidates meeting our criteria are guaranteed an interview. Applications are submitted anonymously and assessed using a fair evaluation process based on the criteria set out in our job profiles.
What we offer: We offer a range of staff benefits, including free counselling through our Employee Assistance Programme. We are proud to have staff-led Diversity Networks offering unique opportunities for learning, connection and impact. You will work closely with the Research and Training teams, and training will be provided on qualitative research methods. You will join a highly influential programme of work, which will include exposure to policymakers. It offers the unique opportunity to influence decision-making and contribute to making a real difference in children’s mental health.
What you’ll do: Join Anna Freud's national programme, Prevention First, focused on improving children and young people's mental health through prevention and early intervention. You will use your lived experience and research skills to help ensure the voices of young people shape the programme's development and delivery. You will be involved in advisory groups and work collaboratively with staff, practitioners and young people to co-produce recommendations and resources.
What you’ll bring: Essential skills and experience:
- Experience of using your personal lived experience to help improve research, services or support for others.
- Experience of taking part in, or helping lead, advisory groups, youth panels or similar groups where people share ideas and make recommendations.
- Genuine interest in making sure young people and families have a genuine voice and influence in decisions that affect them.
- Confident contributing to reports, summaries or other information that is shared with different audiences.
- Willing to share your perspective and experiences to help shape training, research and better mental health support for children and young people.
Key details: Hours: part-time (14 hours per week). Flexible working is possible. Usual working hours are Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00. Salary: £31,064 per annum FTE, plus 6% contributory pension scheme. Location: hybrid (a mixture of home/onsite working): staff are working onsite for at least 20% of their working hours at Anna Freud, 4-8 Rodney Street, London N1 9JH. There will be some events and meetings where travel to London will be required. Contract type: fixed-term, three years.
Next steps: Closing date for applications: midday (12pm), Thursday 10 September 2026. Please note that due to high application volumes, we may close this advert early. We encourage you to apply promptly and to keep an eye on our future vacancies for more opportunities. Notification of interview: shortlisted applicants will be notified no later than Thursday 17 September 2026. During shortlisting, applicants are anonymously assessed using the criteria visible in the Job Profile. Please note: due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants. Interviews: will be held remotely between 23-25 September 2026.
How to apply: click on the 'apply now’ button to apply online. We are unable to accept CVs and kindly request no contact from agencies. Questions? Please email recruitment@annafreud.org with any job enquiries, or if you require assistance or experience difficulties when applying. Please note that successful candidate(s) will be asked to evidence their Right to Work in the UK post-job offer – we do not hold a sponsor license therefore we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship.
Peer Researcher (Young Person) in London employer: Anna Freud
At Anna Freud, we pride ourselves on being a leading mental health charity that champions the wellbeing of children and young people. Our hybrid work model fosters a supportive and inclusive culture, providing our employees with ample opportunities for professional growth, impactful research, and the chance to influence policy in meaningful ways. Join us in making a difference while enjoying the benefits of a collaborative environment in our London office and northern hub.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Peer Researcher (Young Person) in London
✨Get Involved in Local Initiatives
Dive headfirst into local community projects and social enterprises! This not only builds your experience but also connects you with like-minded folks who may know about part-time opportunities. Plus, many nonprofits announce openings through their events and volunteer activities, so keep your ears to the ground!
✨Join Social Impact Networks
Look for networks and forums centred around social impact – think local charity groups or online platforms where changemakers hang out. These places are goldmines for job leads, especially for part-time roles like the ones at Anna Freud. Engaging in discussions can also help you make meaningful connections with potential employers!
✨Utilise Your University’s Resources
If you’re still in uni, tap into career services that may have exclusive listings for part-time roles in nonprofits. They often host job fairs or info sessions where you can meet representatives from organisations like Anna Freud directly. It’s a great way to make an impression beyond your CV!
✨Check Out Online Opportunities
Websites like Idealist or CharityJob specifically showcase part-time positions in the nonprofit sector. Make sure to check these regularly while keeping an eye on Anna Freud’s own job listings on our website. Being proactive here can put you ahead of the curve!
We think you need these skills to ace Peer Researcher (Young Person) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Impact:For a role like Peer Researcher (Young Person) at Anna Freud, your cover letter is your chance to shine a light on why social impact matters to you. Share any personal experiences or volunteer work that highlight your commitment to the cause. We want to see your genuine enthusiasm!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure your CV showcases any nonprofit work or projects you've been involved in, even if they were part-time or volunteer roles. Emphasize skills like project management, fundraising, or community engagement. These are key in the nonprofit sector, and we want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Tailor Your Application:When applying for the Peer Researcher (Young Person), customise your documents to fit the vibe of Anna Freud. Use our language, reflect our values, and connect your personal goals with our mission. This shows us you’ve done your homework and you're excited to join the team in this part-time capacity.
Don’t Forget Your Availability:As this is a part-time position, clearly outline your availability in your application. Whether you're a student balancing studies or have other commitments, we appreciate transparency. Just pop your available hours in your cover letter or CV so we can see how you fit into our schedule.
How to prepare for a job interview at Anna Freud
✨Show Your Passion for the Cause
When applying for a part-time role in the nonprofit sector, it's essential to convey your genuine enthusiasm for the mission of Anna Freud. Be ready to share personal stories or experiences that highlight why social impact matters to you and how you align with their goals.
✨Bring Tangible Examples of Impact
Nonprofits often look for candidates who can demonstrate their ability to create meaningful change. Prepare examples from your past experiences—whether in volunteering, projects, or academic work—that showcase your skills in making a positive impact. Use metrics if possible; it's all about showing how you’ve really contributed.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to encounter scenario-based questions during your interview. These will assess how you handle real-world challenges in the nonprofit space. For example, how would you deal with limited resources or navigate a conflict with team members? Think through your past experiences to give thoughtful responses.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
Since it's a part-time role, they might dig into your availability during the interview. Be open and clear about your schedule and how it can align with Anna Freud's needs. They’ll want to know that you can commit without compromising your passion for the work!
