Lived Experience Lead in Ewell

Be the voice that amplifies others. Help shape change that saves lives.

At Samaritans, we are committed to ensuring that the voices of people with lived experience of suicide, self-harm, and bereavement by suicide are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that lasting change is only possible when it is shaped by those who’ve experienced these challenges first-hand.

We’re now looking for a passionate and experienced Lived Experience Lead to join our Performance and Insight team. In this influential role, you’ll be responsible for driving forward our Lived Experience Plan, ensuring people with lived experience are meaningfully involved in the views and voices of people with lived experience shape and inform key strategic organisational decisions on our services, policy influencing and campaigning work.

• Initially an 18 month fixed term contract

•£45,000 per annum with benefits

•Full time (35 hours per week) - weare passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences

•Hybrid working: Linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office, with home working and an option to work from a shared office space in London Bridge.

•In-person working: Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. As part of the Performance and Insights team, you will join three in-person retreats per quarter. Participation to other in-person meetings will depend on need.

About the role

You’ll work with teams across Samaritans to embed lived experience insight into strategic decision-making, ensuring our work remains compassionate, inclusive and reflective of the people we support. You’ll co-create training and support for staff, facilitate national and nation-based advisory groups, and develop best practice for involvement that champions equity, diversity, and inclusion.

This is a unique opportunity to lead change from within, to support and empower others, challenge systems, and make sure our work truly represents the communities we serve.

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for someone with:

• Lived experience of mental distress, suicidal thoughts or behaviour, or bereavement by suicide – and the ability to draw on that experience in a safe and sensitive way.
• A track record of empowering people with lived experience and using co-production and inclusion practices.
• Experience of designing and delivering learning and development opportunities relevant to lived experience involvement
• Excellent influencing and interpersonal skills – able to build trust, collaborate with staff and volunteers, and champion meaningful involvement at all levels of the organisation.
• Strong commitment to EDI

Why Samaritans?

You’ll be joining us at an exciting time of transformation. With a clear strategic commitment and strong support from our leadership, you’ll have the scope to shape how lived experience is embedded in everything we do - now and in the future.

We value lived experience and actively encourage applications from individuals who identify as having direct or indirect experience with mental health, suicide, or bereavement. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those currently underrepresented in the charity sector.

You’ll join a values-led organisation with a powerful mission and a collaborative culture. We offer flexible hybrid working, excellent benefits, and the chance to make a tangible difference in suicide prevention across the UK and Ireland.

For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read our recruitment brochure available here . You can also visit our careers website to access this.

We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, racialised minority candidates and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans.

Criminal record check (DBS)

We take safeguarding seriously at Samaritans and follow safe recruitment practices. As this role has direct contact with children and adults at risk, this role will require an Enhanced DBS check with Adults and Children’s Barred Lists.

At offer stage, as part of the conditional job offer, we will require the candidate to disclose in full, spent and unspent convictions by completing a declaration form. The declaration form will only be seen by those who need to see it as part of the recruitment process.

Ready to help shape a more inclusive future where every voice matters?

Apply now and be part of change that saves lives.

To apply, please complete the application questions including those below and submit your CV:

• Please give us an example of a time when you have you used your personal experiences to inform a service or a project of work safely and effectively. What did you do and what was the result? (250 words)
  
• Please give an example of a time when you empowered people with lived experience to shape a project or initiative. What approaches did you take to ensure meaningful involvement and what was the outcome? (250 words)
  
• A key focus of the Lived Experience Lead will be to build staff skills and confidence in involving people with lived experience in their work. What experience do you have around designing and delivering learning and development activities related to involving people with lived experience? (250 words)

We kindly ask that you don’t rely on AI tools for your application answers, or to generate interview answers. We want to see your own unique ideas and writing skills. We want your application to stand out from the rest and showcase your own strengths.

Please note, shortlisted candidates will be invited to prepare a short presentation that they will talk though during the interview (up to 10mins). They will be sent the questions ahead of the interview.