At a Glance
- Tasks: Facilitate peer support groups and help others on their recovery journey.
- Company: Join Rethink Mental Illness and Avon & Wiltshire Partnership in a meaningful role.
- Benefits: Full-time hours, competitive salary, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Use your lived experience to inspire hope and support others in their mental health journey.
- Qualifications: Personal recovery experience and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.
Location: Field Based across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG)
Hours: Full Time, 35 Hours per Week
Salary: £25,544.91 per annum
DBS: Enhanced DBS Check (Adults and Children)
About the Role
Are you passionate about using your lived experience to inspire hope and support others in their recovery journey? We're looking for a Peer Group Facilitator and Support Worker to join Sequoia, an innovative partnership between Rethink Mental Illness and Avon & Wiltshire Partnership (AWP). This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and deliver a growing service that supports people experiencing Complex Emotional Needs (CEN) and personality difficulties across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
As a Peer Group Facilitator and Support Worker, you'll draw upon your own experience of recovery to build meaningful connections, promote hope, and support people to develop the skills, confidence and resilience needed to manage their wellbeing and achieve their goals. Working within a collaborative and psychologically informed team, you'll facilitate peer support groups, contribute to psychoeducational sessions, and help create a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment where people can learn, connect and thrive.
What You'll Be Doing
- Co-facilitate peer support groups, welcome sessions and community-based activities.
- Appropriately share your lived experience to inspire hope and model recovery.
- Support people to develop coping strategies, wellbeing plans and self-management skills.
- Help reduce stigma around personality disorder and Complex Emotional Needs.
- Work alongside AWP colleagues as part of an integrated service.
- Contribute to co-production activities and ensure lived experience remains central to service development.
- Maintain accurate records and support effective safeguarding practices.
- Build positive relationships with service users, carers, professionals and community organisations.
- Participate in reflective practice, team meetings and ongoing learning opportunities.
About You
We're looking for someone who:
- Has personal lived experience of recovery from challenges understood or diagnosed as a personality disorder or Complex Emotional Needs (CEN).
- Is confident in managing their own wellbeing and seeking support when needed.
- Understands trauma-informed approaches and person-centred support.
- Has excellent listening and communication skills.
- Enjoys working collaboratively and building relationships.
- Is adaptable, creative and committed to continuous learning.
- Has good organisational and time management skills.
- Is comfortable using digital systems and Microsoft Office applications.
- Can travel across the BNSSG area to support service delivery.
We'd Also Love to Hear From You If You Have:
- Experience facilitating groups.
- Experience supporting people with mental health challenges or during times of crisis.
- Experience working in partnership with health, social care or community services.
- Knowledge of safeguarding procedures and incident reporting.
Who We Are
Rethink Mental Illness is one of the UK's leading mental health charities. We work to improve the lives of people affected by mental illness through high-quality services, practical support and by challenging stigma and inequality. Through Sequoia, we're helping people build stronger connections, develop greater confidence and find the tools they need to manage their mental health and wellbeing in their communities.
Peer Group Facilitator and Support Worker in Bristol employer: Rethink Mental Illness
At Rethink Mental Illness, we pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment where every employee can thrive. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our comprehensive benefits package, including access to a Wellbeing Hub, flexible working arrangements, and generous leave policies. With a strong focus on professional development and a culture that values diversity, we empower our team members to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those they serve within the North East Prisons.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Peer Group Facilitator and Support Worker in Bristol
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Rethink Mental Illness.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Rethink Mental Illness!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Rethink Mental Illness, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Rethink Mental Illness or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Peer Group Facilitator and Support Worker in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Rethink Mental Illness:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Rethink Mental Illness! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rethink Mental Illness
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
