Independent mental health advocate jobs in sandy, central bedfordshire

Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis? Are you calm, non-judgmental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress?

Do you have experience of working within the health, social care or charity sector supporting people experiencing mental health difficulties, crisis or distress often?

Do you have experience of managing people to feel supported, safe, trusted and valued, enabling them to excel in the work they do?

If you can embody our values of Hope, Courage, Togetherness, and Responsiveness, and want to help others build resilience and manage their wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you.

This role is leading a team of coordinators and support workers to support to people in mental health crisis via phone or face to face in cafes. We are hiring 2 part time roles for this position.

Nightlight Team Leader (Crisis Café and Helpline)
Reference number: 289
Responsible to: Service Manager
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £28,000 - £29,400 per annum, pro rata
Hours: x2 Part-time 22.5 hours per week
Work pattern: Split over a 7 day working rota working 17:30 - 01:30
Working Base(s): Working from Watford, Stevenage, Hatfield and Ware – Base to be negotiated based on home location (Expectation to travel across sites where necessary – mileage and expenses to be paid when away from home base).

About the Service

Our Nightlight Service is proud to provide urgent support, crisis intervention and emotional support to people experiencing a mental health crisis in Hertfordshire as an alternative to statutory pathways.

We provide support to adults across Hertfordshire 7 days a week, 365 days a year through our helpline, crisis centres, crisis cafes and a weekend Crisis House. We aim to provide a safe space for people in crisis to talk and feel supported, be listened to without judgement, access relevant support with problem solving and facilitate access to external services when necessary. As a member of our team you will work closely with service users in crisis by using a person-centred approach as to ensure that each individual is supported with dignity and respect.

The objectives of Hertfordshire Mind Network’s (HMN) Nightlight Mental Health Crisis Services are:

• To improve the mental wellbeing of people experiencing mental health crisis in Hertfordshire.
• To increase early access to help for people experiencing mental health crisis in Hertfordshire, by providing a clear and effective pathway to services provided by Herts Mind Network and other third sector and statutory providers.
• To contribute to an improvement in individual mental wellbeing.
• To remain a source of independent support for all clients.
• To provide an alternative pathway to people in distress and crisis to support better outcomes and reduce the demand on statutory crisis services and emergency services.

At the Crisis Cafes we promote and enable people to access support in a way that suits them, whether that’s through talking to someone or simply by providing a safe space to have time alone or engage with trained staff.

About the Role

The Crisis Team Leader will be a key member of the Crisis Services management team, providing effective operational leadership delivering the Nightlight Café and Helpline services.

Purpose of Post

• Ensuring the delivery and development of quality crisis support services and instilling Hertfordshire Mind Network’s values throughout the provision.
• Provide management support to Café and Helpline Coordinators and support the Crisis Manager in ensuring practice within the service is safe, effective and person centred, as well as supporting the implementation of strategic service plans.
• Provide emotional support, advice, signposting, assessing risk, support planning for clients in mental health crisis often where risks are significant.
• Overseeing and ensuring the delivery of appropriate needs and risk assessments and support planning for clients.
• Liaison with statutory agencies to ensure appropriate intervention is obtained.
• Ensuring staff and volunteers feel supported, safe, trusted and valued and excel in their roles.

We offer:

• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year pro rata, rising in increments to a max. of 29 days after 5 years employment (plus 8 days Bank Holidays)
• An additional day of leave each year for your birthday following completion of probation period.
• Ongoing training relevant to your role.
• An Employee Assistance Programme.
• Health cover (after 6 months employment) – compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.

Closing date for applications is Monday 30th June 2025
Interviews to be held week beginning 7th July at the Watford Wellbeing Centre.
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if sufficient applications are received so would encourage early applications.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief, or sexual orientation. In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, specific measures can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.

Hertfordshire Mind Network is committed to the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer charters. We actively recruit staff who have a lived experience of mental ill health. We recognise and value the unique combination of skills, knowledge and perspective that employing people with a lived experience, at all levels across the organisation, brings. We create an environment where the sharing of experiences and vulnerabilities to support others and create positive change is welcomed and work towards breaking down the ‘them’ and ‘us’ culture. The organisation is committed to nurturing peer relationships that allow all staff to thrive.

No agencies please.

Community Project Lead 

• Two-year fixed term, full-time (35 hours per week) or part-time (minimum 21 hours per week considered), £28,000 – £32,000 per annum depending on experience (pro rata if part-time)  
• Remote or office-based. Occasional visits to IPSEA’s office in Takeley or a London venue required. This role will also include frequent travel to meet with community partners. 

Do you have experience working with under-served communities and leading impactful outreach projects? Are you passionate about improving access to support for families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)?

IPSEA is the leading charity in the field of SEND law in England, and we provide free and independent legal advice and support to families of children and young people with SEND. We also provide training on the SEND legal framework, and we influence policy at both a local and national level.

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Community Project Lead to join our team and lead the development of our advice services for under-served communities. This two-year, fixed-term role is a key part of our strategy to reach groups who may not traditionally engage with IPSEA’s support - including children and families with English as an additional language, cared-for children (children in care), migrant children, detained children, and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

The project builds on a detailed scoping exercise we’ve recently completed, which involved working closely with a wide range of charities and organisations that support these communities. The resulting report outlines the barriers they face, and will form the foundation for this project and directly inform the work you will lead.

What you’ll do 

• Design and develop pilot advice services that are tailored to the needs of under-served communities, using findings from IPSEA’s research 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with community groups, charities and service providers to co-produce accessible services 

• Collaborate with IPSEA’s advice, legal and policy teams to address the barriers these communities face in accessing SEND legal advice 

• Contribute to and share outreach materials, training resources and toolkits to support families of under-served communities and empower local advocates 

• Plan and lead workshops, focus groups and community events to raise awareness, gather feedback and enhance service delivery 

• Monitor and report on project outcomes and impact, providing regular updates to IPSEA staff and stakeholders 

You can work remotely or from IPSEA’s office in Takeley, with frequent travel required for essential meetings and community engagement.

If you share our commitment to protecting, promoting, and upholding the rights of children and young people with SEND, and would like to use your skills to improve access to vital advice and support, we would love to hear from you.

Visit our website to download a recruitment pack and application form.

Closing date for applications: 9am on Monday 16 June 2025 
First-round interviews: Wednesday 25 June 2025 (London) 

SOS Children’s Villages UK is part of a global federation, which exists to ensure that each child and young person grows up with the healthy relationships they need to become their strongest selves. We are the world’s largest non-governmental organisation focused on supporting children and young people who don’t have, or who are at risk of losing, parental care.

We are now looking for an experienced Senior Programme Funding Manager to secure crucial support from grant-making organisations and institutional funders.

• Drive strategic growth by mapping global programmes to UK funding opportunities, developing innovative strategies, and pioneering our humanitarian funding approach.

• Craft compelling partnerships by transforming programme insights into standout proposals and building strong relationships with like-minded funders.

• Collaborate globally with international teams to ensure funding applications reflect real community needs and align with expert input across safeguarding, finance, and programme delivery.

• Innovate by forming strategic partnerships with NGOs, research institutions, and development actors to co-create impactful new approaches.

• Lead grant processes from end to end, ensuring excellence in donor communications, reporting, and internal collaboration across departments.

• Maintain rigorous standards by managing due diligence, tracking progress in Salesforce, forecasting KPIs, and ensuring compliance with policies and best practice.

If you are an exceptional relationship builder, experienced in international development, looking for a pivotal role within a friendly, flexible, and supportive team, then this could be for you!

To Apply

Please read the full Candidate Pack attached which contains the entire job description and person specification, and submit a copy of your CV and a covering letter.

The deadline for applications is Friday 27 June 2025, 17.00 UK time. 

Please note: 

The post-holder must be UK-based and able to work on a permanent full-time contract. We are unable to provide employment sponsorship if required and unfortunately cannot progress applications without the required right to live and work in the UK on a permanent contract.

Job Title: Housing Support Worker

Location: Luton, floating support service based within the office and around different locations within the community

Salary: £24,500

Shift Pattern: 12 month fixed term contract, 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday 09:00 - 17:00. You may be required to work outside these hours as necessary to service requirements.

About the role

This is an exciting new role within a brand new contract to support the referral process from the Housing Solutions teams! The service focuses on providing floating and wraparound support to single applicants who are at risk of homelessness and are able to live independently, by providing a housing support plan towards resolving housing needs and support them into long-term, stable housing.

In this role, you will conduct proactive outreach with our participants to develop personalised support plans for housing for appropriate long-term housing options, including accessing private rental listings and understanding application processes for tenancy. You will help our participants navigate the resources available to them including benefits and support services, advocating for their needs whilst empowering them to take ownership of their housing journey. You will work closely with the Landlord Liaison Officer who bridges the gap between our participants and private landlords. You will work closely with them to achieve prevention and relief outcomes by assisting the participant to remain in their provided accommodation. 

You will provide follow up support to ensure tenancy sustainment and successful transitions into permanent housing, keeping casefiles up to date with activities and documents, and escalating any high risks or high needs to the management team.

About you

This role is ideal for someone who has a real passion towards helping to end the cycle of homelessness, providing support to those who need it to live in stable accommodation. You will thrive in a person centred environment with real compassion and a non-judgmental attitude, understanding that people face different life experiences and sometimes just need that extra support to get back on their feet. We're looking for someone with a genuine passion and felt purpose to help people, challenge stigma, and make a real difference to people’s lives! You will have:

• Experience of working with people of complex backgrounds and/or a good understanding of the sector
• Understanding of the housing and social needs of people with multiple and complex needs
• Knowledge of resources and opportunities within the local community, including knowledge around benefits and employment opportunities to sustain independent living
• The ability to influence and negotiate positive outcomes with others
• Excellent interpersonal skills, both written and oral. Ability to form and build effective relationships and rapport with others
• The ability to work proactively to make decisions to deal with challenges and providing a solution focused approach using initiative
• The ability and willingness to show flexibility of working patterns, responding to the needs of the service and participants

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• Be part of an organisation which believes good care and support improves lives.
• Join an organisation with a mission to empower people who are marginalised by building powerful partnerships and creative solutions that bridge gaps in provision and aid recovery, reablement and resettlement.

We value and celebrate the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of all our employees. We're proud to mention that our staff Ambassadors career aspirations generally benefit from embracing this unique opportunity to develop their respective skill sets in spaces that exist outside of their daily roles. 

SIG actively encourages applications from individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, particularly lived experience; Naturally, we approach any emerging issues with empathy and sensitivity. 

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings (including people's own homes), probation settings, and hospitals awaiting discharge. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, and Kent. We believe in the power of well-planned, well-managed services to make a difference. We work with high standards and external and internal regulatory frameworks. Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us on the details below. 

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions. 

Join our friendly and mission-driven team at NFER, where you’ll help bridge the gap between research and classrooms. This is your chance to bring vital insights directly to schools – raising awareness of the NFER Classroom brand and increasing the reach and impact of our research findings within the education community.

Pay: £36,000 - £40,000 (FTE)
Contract: 18-month fixed-term contract
Hours: Part-time (21 hours)
Location: Remote within the UK, with occasional visits to our Slough office (approx. 6 times per year)
Annual Leave: 30 days plus 4 paid closure days FTE
Pension Contributions: 10% employer contributions
Family Support: Enhanced maternity/parental leave and paid compassionate leave

What you’ll be doing
In this role, you’ll be at the heart of our mission to connect schools with powerful, practical research. You’ll take a leading role in shaping how NFER communicates with educators, using your creativity and insight to bring our work to life across digital channels.

One day you might be crafting social media content that sparks conversation among teachers, the next, you’ll be writing an email newsletter that lands just right with a headteacher seeking evidence-based ideas. You’ll help turn research into engaging, accessible summaries, so schools can quickly grasp key insights and put them into action.

You’ll also update and improve our For Schools website pages, ensuring every word is useful and user-friendly. Behind the scenes, you’ll track performance using analytics, learning what works and what could work even better. And throughout it all, you’ll collaborate with researchers, designers, and communications experts to deliver thoughtful, impactful campaigns that schools actually want to read.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential skills and experience:

• Experience in marketing communications or a related role
• Excellent writing skills and creative flair
• Confidence using digital tools such as social media platforms, Canva, Google Analytics and CRM systems
• Strong time management and the ability to work independently
• A collaborative approach and a clear focus on impact
• Experience working in or with schools is a bonus, but not essential.

If you meet only 70% of our essential skills, still apply; you may have skills we didn’t know we needed.

Other roles you may have experience of include: Marketing Executive, Marketing Officer, Marketing Assistant, Marketing Coordinator, Marketing Specialist, Brand Executive, Communications Executive, Digital Marketing Executive, Social Media Executive, Content Marketing Executive, Email Marketing Executive, SEO Executive

WHY NFER?
At NFER, we are recognised globally for providing trusted research, resources and insights that drive meaningful change. By joining us, you’ll contribute to a mission that prioritises impact over profit, working in an environment where collaboration, flexibility, and inclusion are valued.
What we offer:

• A supportive and inclusive workplace culture.
• Opportunities to develop your skills and advance your career.
• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance from day 1.
• The chance to make a real difference in the education sector.

APPLICATION PROCESS
We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and encourage you to apply early. Shortlisting will commence from 23rd June 2025.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any adjustments or accommodations at any stage, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to support
you and ensure a positive experience. For further details, please review the Job Information Pack.

If you’re ready to bring your skills and passion to a role that makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and start your journey with NFER.