Peer Support Worker

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is a trailblazer for the NHS Homeless and Rough Sleeper Nursing Service and Community Mental Health Framework and as such we are dismantling the traditional barriers to accessing interventions, treatment and support. We have expanded our Homeless and Rough Sleepers Nursing service to include our own in house Mental health posts, working within community settings through to specialist NHS mental health settings, to enable people to access the right interventions, at the right time and in the right place.
We are advertising for 1 peer support worker, who will be an integral part of delivering care and supporting referrals to homeless and rough sleeping adults who are struggled with their mental health/substance misuse, through sharing wisdom from their own lived experience. The Peer Support Worker will inspire hope and belief that recovery is possible., What sets MH PSWs apart is their unique ability to draw directly from their own experiences of mental health difficulties, showcasing a skilled approach to interpersonal boundaries.
In this role, you won't replace other mental health service roles but rather bring a distinct skill set. MH PSWs collaborate with individuals experiencing similar mental health difficulties, offering both emotional and practical support. This approach differs from traditional organisational help, as it emphasises the value of self-reflection and validation.
As an MH PSW, you'll contribute to personal recovery by understanding and validating people's stories. Instead of giving advice, you'll actively listen, explore, and suggest alternative interpretations, empowering individuals to find their own solutions that work for them.

Our award winning trusts recognise that our colleagues are our most valuable resource, we are proud of the excellent levels of service our Trust provides to our service users and the dedication and conscientiousness of our colleagues. With over 10,000 colleagues working for our trusts in a very wide range of services, we aim to provide a supportive, inclusive environment in which our colleagues can thrive., As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression, and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.
The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.
There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan - there is truly something for everyone!