Jobs

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.

Job title: Lived Experience Facilitator - Service User Network (SUN)
Post no: 660
Working base: Mind BLMK - Luton Wellbeing Centre
Area covered: Bedfordshire and Luton (SUN offers a combination of online and face to face groups)
Hours: 21 hours per week. Monday – Friday
Working pattern: Tuesdays 9.30am – 5.00pm (7 hours) Remaining 14 hours to be negotiated depending on service need (within the hours Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 5.00pm)
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £25,147.00 per annum FTE (£14,272.62 per annum actual for 21 hours per week)

About the Service User Network (SUN)

The SUN is an open access model of community-based facilitated group peer support for people experiencing complex emotional needs associated with complex trauma and/or a diagnosis of ‘personality disorder’. The SUN aims to help people develop effective ways of coping, reduce emergencies and improve access to appropriate services.

Those accessing the SUN may or may not have a formal diagnosis of personality disorder. Group members will have experienced longstanding emotional difficulties, isolation and may demonstrate patterns of behaviour that may not be helpful in the longer term.

About the Role

Fundamental to creating empowerment and engagement in the SUN Project is the therapeutic community principle, that the effectiveness of the service depends upon engaging group members in the task of running, delivery, development and evaluation of the service. The utilisation of SUN members’ own resources and expertise is integral to the SUN model of peer support.

SUN Facilitators will have their own lived experience of complex emotional needs associated with a diagnosis of ‘personality disorder’ and will be able to demonstrate their recovery journey. They will work closely with mental health practitioners from ELFT (East London NHS Foundation Trust) to deliver regular Service User Network (SUN) groups in different community-based locations in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire or Luton. Full training in the SUN model, and weekly supervision by a Psychotherapist / Psychologist, will be provided for all team members.

Facilitators will work to develop and support the therapeutic community principle of the SUN model and the effectiveness of the service through engaging group members in the task of running, delivery, development, and evaluation of the service. The utilisation of SUN members’ own resources and expertise is integral to the model of peer support upon which the SUN groups are based.

SUN facilitators will have regular supervision and support in this role along with appropriate training.

Entitlements/benefits:

• 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)

If you have a passion for working in mental health and possess the required skills, we would love to hear from you.

Closedown: Monday 13th April 2026 at 5:00 pm
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if enough suitable applicants apply
Start date: ASAP

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.

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.

No agencies please.

Bank Worker

If you are the successful candidate, you will be joining a very tight-knit and supportive team that works tirelessly to ensure some of the most vulnerable individuals in the borough are well-cared for

Role: Bank Worker

Locations: North East England, North West England and London

Salary: £12.24 - £14.03 per hour

Closing Date: 07 April, 2026

Employment Type: Locum, Bank

About the Role

Each year, the charity supports and empowers thousands of young people to find a safe place to call home, a chance to thrive and a brighter future. We want you to be a part of that change we’re passionate about.

Come join our dedicated team as a Bank Worker and you’ll be given the opportunity to provide support to individuals experiencing homelessness and create positive change.

What We Can Offer You:

· Flexibility

· Competitive Pay: £12.24 to £14.03 per hour

· Meaningful Work: making a positive impact in your local community

Responsibilities:

· Community Support: providing support and guidance to individuals facing homelessness

· Empowerment: helping clients to access resources and services to encourage their independence

· Teamwork: working with a dedicated wider team to deliver excellent quality care, support, and guidance to our clients

What We Are Looking For:

· Strong communication with a range of people from different backgrounds

· Understanding and respecting perspectives and experiences of clients

· Committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all individuals

· Experience working with young people at risk of homelessness

We have services across:

North East: Durham, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Middlesbrough.

North West: Manchester, Cheshire, Oldham, Salford, Rochdale, Stockport, Warrington.

London: Brent, Bromley, Camden, Haringey, Islington, Lambeth, Finsbury Park, Sutton, Gravesend.

Safer Recruitment

Depaul UK is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If a role requires it under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, we will carry out the appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. We only look at information that is relevant to the role, and a criminal record will never be treated as an automatic barrier to employment. All DBS information is handled sensitively, confidentially and in line with the DBS Code of Practice, and we encourage applicants to discuss any concerns with us openly.

About Depaul UK

In the 1980s, high unemployment and steep inflation was contributing to a shocking rise in youth homelessness across London. Thousands of young people were sleeping rough every night, with many areas notoriously dubbed “cardboard cities” due to the visible rise in street homelessness. Appalled by the scenes playing out across the capital, a group of people came together to tackle the challenge head on. Led by Cardinal Basil Hume and Mark McGreevy OBE, in 1989 Depaul UK was born.

What began as a single housing project in North London soon expanded across London, Greater Manchester and the North East of England. Today, Depaul UK provides accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK each year.

As our name suggests, the work of Depaul UK has been inspired by St. Vincent de Paul – a man who devoted his life to helping vast numbers of people throughout the 17th century. St. Vincent de Paul’s belief in the intrinsic worth of all people and his commitment to taking bold action remain central to our values today. Depaul UK now forms part of a family of Depaul charities around the world. We each focus on the specific challenges in our own countries, but we’re united by our shared values and mission to end homelessness.