Lived Experience Facilitator

This role offers an exciting opportunity to join our Peer Support service for Central Bedfordshire and Bedford. As a Lived Experience Facilitator, you will be at the heart of the service, using your lived experience of mental health difficulties and recovery to facilitate and guide peer support group sessions. You will also hold a one to one mentoring caseload, using your lived experience to empower people to take meaningful, practical steps in their recovery, supporting them to building confidence, resilience and independence within their communities. In addition, you will assess individuals' suitability for the service and signpost to wider services where necessary. There will also be opportunity to support events in the community to raise awareness of Mind BLMK services and build professional relationships with local organisations.

You will need to be empathetic, energetic and deliver a person-centred approach in a non-judgemental way, collaborating with people to empower and engage them. The successful candidate will work with the Bedfordshire Wellbeing Hub Service Manager to ensure that the Peer Support service is delivered effectively in line with best practice. You have an understanding of Peer Support, a minimum of 2 years' experience working with people with mental health needs and supporting recovery as well as personal lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery You can build constructive working relationships with a wide range of people, including those from culturally diverse communities. A strong communicator, you are able to build positive peer relationships, maintain professional boundaries, manage challenging situations calmly, and work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team. You are committed to empowering others, embracing lived experience as a valuable asset, and are comfortable using IT systems and travelling across Bedfordshire to deliver services.

Mind BLMK works across our communities to support positive mental health and wellbeing. Working closely with a range of partners, we offer a number of activities from our wellbeing centres and local venues to make a difference to the mental health and wellbeing of people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, and our aim is to make sure that no-one has to face a mental health problem alone. Mind BLMK has been committed to the Mindful Employer charter and the Disability Confident Employer Scheme since 2008. Please note: Mind BLMK follows Safer Recruitment practices and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Therefore all our roles are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Hours: 15 hours per week. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday Working pattern: Tuesday - (HQ Flitwick 10am to 12pm) and (Ampthill) 12pm to 3pm, Wednesday - HQ (Flitwick) 10am to 3pm, Friday - 10am to 3pm (Biggleswade) OR (10am to 3pm) Leighton Buzzard Contract: Permanent Salary: £24,454.04 per annum FTE (£9,913.80 per annum actual for 15 hours per week).

• 25 days (pro rata) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Auto-enrolment NEST pension scheme (employer contributes 3%, employee contributes 5%)
• Optional Health Plan
• Discounts available through Blue Light Card & Tickets for Good
• In-house and external Learning and Development as appropriate for the role.
• Flexible Working On request (in line with Mind BLMK policy on Right to Request Flexible Working)

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