At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals using your lived experience to promote recovery and build connections.
- Company: Join Leeds Mind and Leeds Survivor-Led Crisis Service, champions of mental health support.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, community impact, and the chance to make a difference in people's lives.
- Other info: Dynamic roles with opportunities for personal growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Empower others while sharing your journey; be a beacon of hope in the community.
- Qualifications: Lived experience of mental health challenges and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
The successful candidates will work collaboratively with Leeds Mind, Leeds Survivor Led Crisis Service and Yorkshire MESMAC teams directly, alongside multi-disciplinary work with broader community mental health services. The role of a Peer Support Worker is integral in promoting and role modelling the peer support principles whilst building safe, trusting relationships with people using services based on non-judgmental listening and shared lived experience.
To use your personal experiences of using mental health services in your own recovery – sometimes called ‘lived experience’ – in your work and to support people to make use of their own strengths and build connections with their peers and wider communities. The post holder will support a range of people from across Leeds, in a non-judgemental, person-centred way, while holding cultural sensitivity at the heart of their approach.
The postholders will support individuals using 1:1 peer support sessions in the community, partner buildings or home visits. The postholders will also be responsible for the delivery of some groups, courses, workshops and the supervision of a volunteer. The roles will include some evening and weekend work where required.
Essential Skills and Experience:- Lived experience of mental health challenges and the utilisation of tools and resources to support your own recovery.
- Experience building connections within the wider community.
- Experience discovering personal strengths and the strengths of others.
- Experience walking with someone in a time of need, professionally or personally.
- Willing and able to share your own personal recovery to help others.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role and impact of peer support in people’s lives.
- Demonstrate the knowledge, confidence, and skills to work with people with a range of needs.
- Good understanding of the way in which mental health services work locally.
- Completed a plan to support your own wellbeing (e.g., a wellbeing recovery action plan or equivalent).
- Living the organisations core values every day.
The roles are based over various locations and requires travel across Leeds, working over various sites including The Light Surgery, HATCH Local Care Partnership, West Leeds, as well as home visits and work from home.
The Leeds Mind office is Clarence House, 11 Clarence Road, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4LB. The Leeds Survivor Led Crisis Service office is Dial House, 12 Chapel St, Halton, Leeds LS15 7RW. The MESMAC office is 22/23 Blayds Yard, Leeds LS1 4AD.
How to Apply: To apply please visit the Leeds Mind website.
Peer Support Worker x 2 (one for Leeds Mind & one for Leeds Survivor-Led Crisis Service) employer: Volunteer Centre
Leeds Mind and Leeds Survivor-Led Crisis Service are exceptional employers dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, these organisations offer unique opportunities for personal development through peer support roles that leverage lived experiences in mental health recovery. Working across various locations in Leeds, employees benefit from a collaborative culture that prioritises community engagement and cultural sensitivity, making it a rewarding place to contribute to meaningful change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Peer Support Worker x 2 (one for Leeds Mind & one for Leeds Survivor-Led Crisis Service)
✨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 Volunteer Centre.
✨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 Volunteer Centre!
✨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 Volunteer Centre, 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 Volunteer Centre 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 Support Worker x 2 (one for Leeds Mind & one for Leeds Survivor-Led Crisis Service)
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 Volunteer Centre:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Volunteer Centre! 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 Volunteer Centre
✨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.
