Job summary
Peer support is built on shared experiences. It involves people with lived experience of mental health challenges connecting with others to build safe, trusting, and non-judgemental relationships. Peer Workers are trained and supported to use their personal experiences to inspire hope, promote recovery, and support others in navigating their own mental health journeys.
Teesside Mind is recruiting Peer Workers to join the team at Redcar Safe Haven, a nonclinical, trauma-informed service offering immediate support to individuals experiencing mental health crisis or emotional distress.
Main duties of the job
As a Peer Worker, you will play a vital role in creating a welcoming and compassionate environment. Drawing on your own lived experience, you will support individuals in crisis, helping them feel heard, understood, and empowered. You will work alongside mental health practitioners and other peer workers to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.
You will work under the supervision of the Team Lead or Manager during each shift, contributing to the delivery of high-quality, trauma-informed support. While the work can be emotionally demanding, it is also deeply rewarding. Teesside Mind provides robust support for staff, including supervision, peer reflection, wellbeing initiatives, and opportunities for professional growth.
We welcome applications from individuals who:
- Have lived experience of mental health challenges and accessing mental health services.
- Are passionate about supporting others and promoting recovery.
- Can listen non-judgementally and build safe, respectful relationships.
- Are committed to trauma-informed, person-centred care.
- Can work both independently and as part of a team.
- Are willing to engage in training and ongoing development.
About us
Were proud to have directly helped 27,000 local people this last year, more than weve ever supported. Weve been working in local communities to improve mental health and wellbeing for 30 years and during that time our support has evolved, enabling us to help people in new and impactful ways.
We believe everyone has the right to enjoy good mental health and our team of trusted professionals provide expert support to help people lead full and happy lives. Whats more, we campaign locally to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding of what good mental health looks like.
Ours is a vibrant organisation to work for and our staff are our most important asset. We know just how important the benefits of a mentally healthy workplace are. So, it's only natural that our people and our culture are at the heart of all we do. Staff wellbeing is a high priority for us and we take great care and pride in making sure that everyone who works with us feels valued and supported. We're dedicated, friendly and open, working together to improve the lives of local people experiencing mental health problems.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide one-to-one peer support to individuals accessing the Safe Haven, both face-to-face and via remotemethods (e.g., phone or messaging).
Use your lived experience to build trusting, empathetic relationships, offering hope and encouragement.
Support individuals with emotional regulation, safety planning, and accessing relevant resources.
Work collaboratively with the Safe Haven team to ensure a coordinated and trauma-informed response to crisis.
Promote influence and participation of people with lived experience, encouraging feedback and participation in service development.
Maintain accurate records in line with organisational policies and procedures.
Attend and complete peer support training, delivered by experienced peer professionals.
Uphold safeguarding, health & safety, and information governance standards.
Support the Team Lead in maintaining a safe, calm, and welcoming environment during each shift.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide one-to-one peer support to individuals accessing the Safe Haven, both face-to-face and via remotemethods (e.g., phone or messaging).
Use your lived experience to build trusting, empathetic relationships, offering hope and encouragement.
Support individuals with emotional regulation, safety planning, and accessing relevant resources.
Work collaboratively with the Safe Haven team to ensure a coordinated and trauma-informed response to crisis.
Promote influence and participation of people with lived experience, encouraging feedback and participation in service development.
Maintain accurate records in line with organisational policies and procedures.
Attend and complete peer support training, delivered by experienced peer professionals.
Uphold safeguarding, health & safety, and information governance standards.
Support the Team Lead in maintaining a safe, calm, and welcoming environment during each shift.
Person Specification
Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Ability to build safe, trusting, and non-judgemental relationships based on shared experience
- Strong listening and communication skills, with the ability to support individuals in distress
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
- Capable of maintaining appropriate boundaries and managing emotional demands of the role
- Ability to maintain accurate records in line with organisational policies
Experience & Qualifications
Essential
- Hold NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification, or have ability to work with information at this level and equivalent experience of providing peer support
- Lived experience of mental health challenges and accessing mental health services
Desirable
- Experience supporting individuals from marginalised or underrepresented groups
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the principles and values of peer support
- Awareness of trauma-informed and person-centred approaches
- Basic understanding of safeguarding and confidentiality in a support setting
- Familiarity with local mental health services and community resources
- Understanding of the impact of stigma and discrimination on mental health recovery
Other Personal Qualities
Essential
- Demonstrates empathy and a commitment to supporting individuals in distress
- Creates a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all
- Acts with integrity, maintains confidentiality, and leads by example
- Upholds high standards of conduct, accountability, and service delivery
- Shows resilience, initiative, and a proactive approach to problem-solving and service development
Person Specification
Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Ability to build safe, trusting, and non-judgemental relationships based on shared experience
- Strong listening and communication skills, with the ability to support individuals in distress
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
- Capable of maintaining appropriate boundaries and managing emotional demands of the role
- Ability to maintain accurate records in line with organisational policies
Experience & Qualifications
Essential
- Hold NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification, or have ability to work with information at this level and equivalent experience of providing peer support
- Lived experience of mental health challenges and accessing mental health services
Desirable
- Experience supporting individuals from marginalised or underrepresented groups
Knowledge
Essential
- Understanding of the principles and values of peer support
- Awareness of trauma-informed and person-centred approaches
- Basic understanding of safeguarding and confidentiality in a support setting
- Familiarity with local mental health services and community resources
- Understanding of the impact of stigma and discrimination on mental health recovery
Other Personal Qualities
Essential
- Demonstrates empathy and a commitment to supporting individuals in distress
- Creates a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all
- Acts with integrity, maintains confidentiality, and leads by example
- Upholds high standards of conduct, accountability, and service delivery
- Shows resilience, initiative, and a proactive approach to problem-solving and service development
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
