At a Glance
- 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, discounts, and social events.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Personal lived experience of mental health issues and professional work experience.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with ongoing supervision and career growth opportunities.
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.
Location: Various locations in Surrey/Hybrid
Hours: 35 hours per week
Salary: £28,698 per annum
Contract: 12 month contract.
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)
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.
Peer Support Facilitator Lived Experience in Leatherhead 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 Leatherhead
✨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 with their goals, showing that you're not just a fit for the role but also passionate about what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice sharing your story! Think about how your personal experiences can empower others in the role of a Peer Support Facilitator. We want to hear how you can guide others through their recovery, so be ready to share specific examples during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees if you can! They can provide insider tips on the interview process and what the team culture is like. Plus, it shows initiative and genuine interest in the role, which we love to see!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Make sure your CV and cover letter highlight your relevant experience and how you can contribute to the SUN group. We’re excited to see what you bring to the table!
We think you need these skills to ace Peer Support Facilitator Lived Experience in Leatherhead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When writing your application, let your true self shine through. We want to hear about your lived experience and how it shapes your approach to supporting others. Authenticity is key!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight relevant experiences that align with the job description, especially your personal journey and professional background in mental health.
Showcase Your Resilience: This role is emotionally demanding, so don’t shy away from discussing your resilience. Share examples of how you've coped with challenges in the past and how they’ve prepared you for this position.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy to upload your documents there!
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 alignment with their goals.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios
Since the role involves working closely with a co-facilitator and group members, think of examples where you've successfully collaborated in a team setting. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to a positive, inclusive environment during support groups.
✨Practice Reflective Sharing
The ability to reflect on and share your experiences appropriately is crucial. Prepare to discuss how you can guide others in their recovery while maintaining boundaries. Practising this skill will help you articulate your thoughts clearly during the interview.