The Peer Support Worker (PSW) will take a lead role in embedding peer support values within Older Adults Services, alongside other Trust recovery champions, and act as an ambassador of Peer Support for the Trust with external agencies and partner organisations. As an integral and highly valued member of the multidisciplinary team, the PSW will provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to older adults and, where appropriate, their carers, based on their own unique mental health and wellbeing goals.
Through careful sharing of the wisdom from their own lived experience, the PSW will inspire hope and belief that recovery, wellbeing, connection and meaningful quality of life are possible in later life, whilst recognising that each individual’s experiences, challenges and strengths are deeply personal.
Within a relationship of mutuality, the PSW will work alongside service users to help recognise strengths, reconnect with valued roles and relationships, and identify aspects of life that give meaning, hope, value and purpose. The PSW will facilitate and support information sharing to promote choice, self-determination, social inclusion and opportunities for engagement with communities and support networks.
Applicants must have relevant lived experience, either through their own experience of living with behavioural or cognitive conditions associated with older age, or through providing care, support or advocacy for service users. They must be able to thoughtfully and purposefully draw upon that experience to support others within the principles of peer support.
As part of the role, the PSW may:
Provide emotional and practical peer support on a 1:1 and/or group basis.
Support engagement with services and reduce barriers to accessing care and support.
Help individuals rebuild confidence, routines, identity and social connection.
Support people through periods of transition, change or loss.
Encourage self-management, wellbeing strategies and community involvement.
Work alongside carers and families where appropriate to promote holistic support.
Promote recovery-focused, compassionate and age-inclusive practice within teams.
The PSW will work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team to support engagement, continuity and person-centred care across Older Adults Services. The role may include supporting ward-based, community or pathway-based interventions depending on service need.
Through the intentional use of lived experience, the PSW will help challenge stigma, ageism and assumptions surrounding later life and mental health. They will promote hope by demonstrating that older adults can continue to experience purpose, growth and meaningful relationships.
Welcome to Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Our 4000 clinical and support staff help us to improve mental health wellbeing and meet the needs of the 70,000 people we serve each year. We provide a range of mental healthcare services across Birmingham and Solihull, as well as specialised services nationally. We also offer medical, nursing and psychology training and are proud of our international reputation for both research and innovation.
Our population is culturally diverse, characterised in places by high levels of deprivation which create an increasing demand for our services and a necessity for us to make sure everyone can access the help they need. We are a team of compassionate, inclusive and committed people working together to provide excellent care to support our community. If you are looking for a place to belong, where you can make a real difference to people’s lives, join our team where our warm welcome is waiting for you.
As a member of the multidisciplinary team, the PSW will carry out duties aligned to the Trust’s Peer Support Core Competencies Framework and will work alongside service users on a 1:1 and/or group basis. There will be opportunities for innovation and ongoing development as the post becomes established, including contributing to peer-led groups, co-production activity and wider service development initiatives.
Post holders could be exposed to distressing information and potentially challenging situations at times due to the nature of the work, including supporting people experiencing significant mental health distress, bereavement, physical ill health or social isolation. The post holder will be supported through regular clinical supervision, team support structures and the Peer Support Community of Practice.
All new Peer Support Workers will be expected to complete the Level 3 Accreditation in Peer Support through a partner organisation, ImROC, which will be embedded within induction and probation processes. Additional opportunities for training relevant to older adults’ mental health and wellbeing will also be available.
We are unable to support applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work the United Kingdom (UK)
We highly recommend you submit your application as soon as possible, this post may close earlier than the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.
