At a Glance
- Tasks: Champion lived experience in mental health through user involvement and peer mentoring.
- Company: Birmingham Mind is dedicated to improving mental health for all, valuing diverse experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, affordable healthcare, a pension scheme, and 24/7 support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on mental health stigma while working in an inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Passion for mental health, understanding of lived experience, and commitment to equality.
- Other info: Applications from individuals with mental health experiences are highly encouraged.
Location: Birmingham
Salary: £25,836 (£12,918 pro rata for 18.75 HPW) per annum
Hours: 18.75 hours per week over 3 days (4 day working week will be considered). There may be a requirement to work the occasional evening and weekend.
Birmingham Mind is seeking a compassionate individual to join our new Participation and Influence Team as a Participation and Influence Co-ordinator. This new and exciting team will work to embed lived and living experience across Birmingham Mind through service user involvement, peer mentoring, volunteering, and working with our Association. They will champion the value of lived and living experience and promote this work both internally and externally.
This new role will work closely with the Participation and Influence Manager on the three key areas of service user involvement, peer mentoring and supporting our Associate Group. Working with the Participation and Influence Manager you will help maintain the infrastructure to support effective service user involvement across the organisation. You will work with Peer Mentors across Birmingham Mind and help to grow this project into new service and will support with recruiting and induction new mentors. Through working with our Associate Group on events and activities you will work to tackle the stigma around mental health.
This is a varied and exciting role! You will promote the positive benefits of that lived and living experience of mental health can offer and build upon and enhance the organisation's approach to lived experience. Working with your team to ensure that opportunities for the lived and living experience are created, publicised, and promoted across the organisation, and work to improve participation and peer mentoring from feedback, learning and external resources and put appropriate changes in place.
The successful candidate will have an excellent understanding of the value of lived and living experience of mental health difficulties, with a good understanding of equality and diversity and a positive attitude to people who have experience mental health difficulties. You will need to share the values of our organisation and be passionate about our vision of Better Mental Health for All in Birmingham.
Joining Birmingham Mind means joining a diverse workforce, and an organisation that values living experience of mental distress. We are proud of our inclusive environment, and the support we provide to our staff as well as our service users. All employees have access to affordable healthcare cover through PayCare, a defined contribution pension scheme and access to free counselling and support through our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme. Our people are key to the success of the organisation, and we are recognised as both a Mindful Employer as well as achieving Gold standard success in Investors in People.
We welcome and encourage applications from people who have experienced mental health difficulties. For further information, please see the Job Description for full details of attributes, values and experience required for the role. Any informal enquiries can be directed to Danielle Murinas.
Closing date for applications is Wednesday 30th April 2025. Interviews to take place on Friday 9th May 2025.
Participation and Influence Coordinator (Mental Health) employer: Birmingham Mind
Contact Detail:
Birmingham Mind Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Participation and Influence Coordinator (Mental Health)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Birmingham Mind's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to lived experience in mental health will help you align your passion and experiences with their goals during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Birmingham Mind, especially those in similar roles. They can provide valuable insights into the organisation's culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your own life or work that demonstrate your understanding of lived experience in mental health. This will showcase your genuine connection to the role and the impact you can make.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends and discussions in mental health advocacy. Being knowledgeable about recent developments will not only impress during interviews but also show your commitment to the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Participation and Influence Coordinator (Mental Health)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and requirements. Highlight your understanding of lived experience in mental health, as this is central to the role.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect relevant experiences that align with the role. Emphasise any previous work or volunteer experiences related to mental health, service user involvement, or peer mentoring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for mental health and your commitment to promoting lived experience. Use specific examples from your past to demonstrate how you embody the values of Birmingham Mind.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Birmingham Mind
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a solid grasp of what the Participation and Influence Coordinator role entails. Familiarise yourself with Birmingham Mind's mission and how this position contributes to championing lived experience in mental health.
✨Showcase Your Passion
Demonstrate your passion for mental health and the importance of lived experience during the interview. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to improving mental health services and supporting those with mental health difficulties.
✨Prepare Relevant Examples
Think of specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your understanding of service user involvement, peer mentoring, and promoting equality and diversity. Be ready to discuss how these experiences can benefit Birmingham Mind.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions to ask the interviewers about the team dynamics, future projects, and how they measure the success of their initiatives. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.