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- Tasks: Facilitate peer support groups, using your lived experience to empower others.
- Company: A leading mental health charity dedicated to supporting emotional wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension contributions, paid sick leave, and social events.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Personal lived experience of mental health issues and previous professional experience.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to community wellbeing and personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 28698 - 28698 £ per year.
We are looking for individuals who are highly resilient and are confident in sustaining an emotionally demanding paid role. This is a great opportunity to make a real difference, using your lived experience to empower members while working in a collaborative, co-produced team.
Position: Peer Support Facilitator Lived Experience (internally known as Service User Network (SUN) Group Facilitator with Lived Experience)
Location: Various locations in Surrey/Hybrid
Hours: 35 hours per week
Salary: £28,698 per annum
Contract: 12 month contract (maternity cover)
Benefits: MFT offer an extensive benefits package including; 5% Pension Employer Contribution, Paid Sick Leave, Blue Light Card Scheme, Vivup Discounts, Staff Social Events, Staff Social & Wellbeing Committee, Celebration Day (in addition to annual leave entitlement)
Closing date for applications: Sunday 15 February 2026.
Start date: Wednesday 1 April 2026.
The Service User Network (SUN) is an innovative, community-based service providing open-access, facilitated peer support groups for people experiencing emotional difficulties, isolation, and unhelpful behavioural patterns. Based on therapeutic community principles, SUN actively involves members in running, developing, and evaluating the service.
Beyond support groups, SUN offers social events, focus groups, community meetings, and a regular newsletter, fostering a safe, empowering, and inclusive environment for members. SUN has been recognised for its commitment to lived experience and staff wellbeing, holding the Gold Lived Experience Charter award and the Enabling Environments award from the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The service combines online and face-to-face provision, ensuring accessibility across Surrey and North East Hampshire.
The SUN facilitator with lived experience will be working closely with a SUN specialist clinician to deliver regular Service User Network (SUN) support groups in different community-based locations across Surrey and North East Hampshire. SUN provides community-based, open access facilitated peer support groups and aims to help people develop effective ways of coping and improve their relationship with themselves and others.
As a SUN Facilitator, you will:
- Deliver regular SUN support groups in the community, both face to face and online
- Work in collaboration with the co-facilitator and the SUN members, within support groups
- Use own lived experience of mental health problems associated with a diagnosis of personality disorder to support the development and knowledge of the service and wider services.
- Contribute to ensuring that any potential risk is being constantly assessed within a culture of positive risk taking and shared responsibility.
- Contribute to team supervision and business meetings and consider information regarding the safety and wellbeing of the people who access the service.
- Co-lead on different areas of the service on a rota basis, i.e., reporting, outreach, and member involvement.
- Actively engage in 1:1 check-ins and managerial supervisions.
SUN facilitators receive regular supervision and ongoing support to sustain this emotionally rewarding role.
About You
We are looking for someone with:
- Personal lived experience of mental health issues associated with personality disorder
- Previous experience of working within a professional environment
- Ability to reflect on and appropriately share your own life experiences and personal experiences of mental ill health as part of the facilitating role of the groups
- Ability to guide others in taking charge of their own recovery
When you click to apply you will be asked to upload your CV and covering letter (in which you'll explain how you feel your experience is suitable for the role). Please ensure you upload your documents in order to be considered for this role.
About the Organisation
The charity is a mental health and emotional wellbeing charity, supporting Surrey residents since 1994 in Banstead, Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell and Mole Valley. Offering a variety of face-to-face and online services, available to adults (aged 16+) living in Surrey who would like to restore and/or maintain their mental and emotional wellbeing (no diagnosis needed). The services are free of charge, with no waiting list and no time limit.
This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, and the successful completion of a probationary period.
You may also have experience in areas such as Peer Support, Mental Health Peer Support, Peer Support Worker, Mental Health Peer Support Worker, Peer Support Facilitator, Mental Health Peer Support Facilitator, Mental Health Worker, Mental Health Support.
Peer Support Facilitator Lived Experience in Guildford employer: NFP People
Contact Detail:
NFP People Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Peer Support Facilitator Lived Experience in Guildford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation before your interview. Research their values, mission, and recent projects. This will help us connect your lived experience to their work and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice sharing your story! Think about how your lived experience can empower others and prepare to discuss it in a way that highlights your resilience and ability to support others in their recovery journey.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees if you can. They can provide insider tips on what the organisation values in a Peer Support Facilitator and might even give you a heads-up on what to expect during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re committed to being part of our community-focused approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Peer Support Facilitator Lived Experience in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When writing your application, let your true self shine through! Share your lived experiences honestly and how they relate to the role. We want to see the real you and how your journey can empower others.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this specific role. Highlight relevant experiences that showcase your resilience and ability to support others. We love seeing how your background aligns with our mission!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to mention any previous experience in peer support or mental health roles. We’re looking for those skills that will help you guide others in their recovery journey, so make them stand out!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it’s super easy – just upload your CV and cover letter, and you’re good to go!
How to prepare for a job interview at NFP People
✨Know Your Lived Experience
Be ready to share your personal journey with mental health issues, especially those related to personality disorders. This role is all about using your lived experience to empower others, so think about specific examples that highlight your resilience and how you've navigated challenges.
✨Research the Organisation
Familiarise yourself with the charity's mission, values, and the services they provide. Understanding their commitment to the Gold Lived Experience Charter and the Enabling Environments award will show your genuine interest and help you align your answers with their goals during the interview.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle emotionally demanding situations. Think of scenarios where you've successfully supported others or managed risks in a group setting. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Show Collaborative Spirit
This role involves working closely with co-facilitators and group members. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve collaborated in past roles, highlighting your teamwork skills and how you can contribute to a positive, inclusive environment within the SUN groups.
