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
In this rewarding role, you'll:
- 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.
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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.
Why join Rethink Mental Illness?
We believe people do their best work when they feel supported, valued and able to be themselves. You'll benefit from:
- An inclusive culture, with colleague-led staff networks for Disability & Neurodiversity, Race & Ethnicity, LGBTQIA+, Gender Equality and Menopause.
- Flexible working and 25 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays and your birthday off), with the option to buy or sell leave.
- Wellbeing support including our Wellbeing Hub, Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Champions and Unmind.
- Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career.
- Financial and family benefits including a contributory pension, enhanced family leave and travel schemes.
- Recognition and rewards including discounts, cashback offers and a Blue Light Card.
- Referral bonus where you can earn up to £300 for introducing someone to our team.
Our commitment to inclusion
We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. We're also committed to becoming a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider supported by a multi-year equity, diversity and inclusion programme of work. For more information please view https://www.rethink.org/media/hdtjjy5b/revised-edi-plan-rethink.pdf
We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and want everyone to have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and experience. If you need reasonable adjustments during recruitment or when in your role, please let us know and we will work with you to understand what support you need.
