Role Title: Peer Mental Health Worker
Location: The Foyer, Yeovil
Working Hours: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm – 35 hours
Reporting to: Donna Waddleton – Operations Manager
Salary: £23,004, £12.64 per hour
Holiday: 23 days plus bank holidays
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Overview of the Role:
This is a dual role that combines frontline coordination of a weekly community day with the vital peer support responsibilities of a Peer Recovery and Wellbeing Worker. The role has been specifically developed for someone with lived experience of mental distress and mental health service use, and centres on inspiring hope, fostering connection, and supporting others on their recovery journey.
As a Peer Recovery and Wellbeing Worker, you will be a key member of the Open Mental Health multi-agency team, using your personal experiences to support individuals—particularly those experiencing emotional distress and suicidal thinking. As the Community Day Coordinator, you will also be responsible for leading the Wednesday Community Day at the Foyer in Yeovil, planning activities, supervising volunteers, offering one-to-one support, and ensuring the smooth delivery of the day.
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About Open Mental Health & Mind in Somerset:
Open Mental Health is a Somerset-wide alliance of the NHS and voluntary sector organisations working together to ensure people living with mental health needs get timely and tailored support. Our partners support wellbeing through a wide range of services including specialist mental health care, housing, financial advice, employment support, and community-based activities.
Mind in Somerset is a leading provider of mental health services in the region. We value the power of lived experience and are committed to providing excellent training, supervision, and development opportunities for our staff.
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Key Responsibilities:
Peer Recovery & Wellbeing Support:
- Use your own lived experience to build trusting relationships and inspire belief in recovery.
- Support individuals experiencing suicidal thinking or mental health challenges by:
o Promoting connection and positive relationships.
o Engendering hope for recovery.
o Helping people reclaim a positive sense of identity beyond mental health struggles.
o Enabling people to find personal meaning and purpose.
o Supporting personal empowerment and self-directed recovery.
- Work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team within the Open Mental Health alliance.
- Signpost to relevant services including housing, employment, financial advice, and mental health support.
- Attend regular 1:1 and group supervision, training, and reflective practice sessions.
Community Day Coordination (Wednesdays):
- Lead and manage the weekly Community Day at the Foyer in Yeovil.
- Plan and deliver an inclusive programme of activities that promote wellbeing, connection, and community involvement.
- Supervise and support volunteers throughout the day.
- Provide one-to-one support to attendees as needed, including emotional support, signposting, and advocacy.
- Collect and report data on attendance, engagement, and outcomes.
- Ensure the space is safe, welcoming, and inclusive for all participants.
Support and Training:
- Comprehensive induction and ongoing training in peer support and wellbeing.
- Regular supervision (clinical, group, and pastoral) through Open Mental Health.
- Access to a supportive and collaborative peer network.
- Opportunities for progression and further development within Mind in Somerset and the Open Mental Health alliance.
Person Specification
Essential (E) / Desirable (D)
Education and Qualifications
- Good literacy and numeracy skills demonstrated by a good standard of GCSEs, including Maths and English, at grade C or above. E
- Relevant training or qualifications in peer support, mental health, or related field, or willingness to complete training. E
Knowledge and Experience
- Personal lived experience of mental health challenges and experience of using mental health services. E
- Understanding and application of recovery principles (hope, connection, identity, meaning, empowerment). E
- Experience supporting others in mental health recovery, formally or informally D
- Experience organising or facilitating group activities or wellbeing programmes E
- Experience leading or supervising volunteers D
- Knowledge of local support services (housing, employment, financial, mental health), or willingness to learn. E
- Experience working collaboratively within a multi-agency or multidisciplinary team D
- Knowledge of safeguarding and risk management in mental health contexts E
- Previous experience of working in community-based or peer-led mental health settings. D
Skills
- Ability to use personal lived experience to build trust and inspire others in their recovery journey. E
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to listen, empathise, and relate to others E
- Organisational skills, including basic data recording, reporting, and time management. E
- Confidence in group facilitation and planning inclusive wellbeing activities E
- Ability to provide one-to-one emotional support, signposting, and advocacy E
- Ability to work independently and proactively, while also being an effective team member. E
- IT literacy, including Microsoft Office and basic administrative systems E
- Non-judgmental, compassionate, and empowering approach to supporting others. E
Personal Attributes and Qualities .
- Strong belief in the potential for recovery and change. E
- Committed to principles of equality, diversity, inclusion, and lived experience leadership. E
- Enthusiastic, self-motivated, and approachable. Resilient and adaptable, with emotional maturity and self-awareness E
- Open to reflective practice, supervision, and personal development E
Other
- Willingness to work flexibly, including occasional out-of-hours work for community events.
- Commitment to ongoing training and development through Open Mental Health and Mind in Somerset. E
Application Guidance:
Please provide a covering letter or supporting statement outlining how you meet the essential criteria of this role and how your own lived experience of mental health challenges could contribute to your success as a Peer Recovery and Wellbeing Worker and Community Day Coordinator.
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 11 months
Pay: £23,004.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Bereavement leave
- Casual dress
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Free flu jabs
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
- Sick pay
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 05/07/2025
Reference ID: 2526043
