Jobs

Make a Real Difference to Mental Health Across Bedfordshire

We are excited to offer a managerial opportunity within our Recovery Lounges, where every evening holds the power to change a life.

Recovery Lounge Manager
Post no: 656
Area Covered: Leighton Buzzard, Luton, Bedford & Biggleswade
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: 35.25 hours per week
Work Pattern: Flexible across Monday to Sunday, up to 5 Shifts on site per week, 1 Day at HQ in Flitwick each week
Salary: £27,152.03 per annum (£28,500 37 hrs p/wk FTE)

If you’re confident working in fast-paced settings and want to support people in crisis while shaping an excellent, high-impact service, this could be the role for you.

Not only will you make a meaningful difference to people when they need it most, but you’ll also have the chance to grow your own career, working within the leading mental health charity across Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes.

As our Recovery Lounge Manager, you’ll lead the delivery of this vital service across Leighton Buzzard, Luton, Bedford, and Biggleswade. You’ll guide and coordinate our incredibly dedicated and skilled team of eight Mental Health Support Workers and our volunteers across multiple sites (as above), working closely with NHS partners to ensure every person who walks through our doors receives compassionate, safe, and high-quality support in line with our RICH values.

This is a dynamic, hands-on leadership role—perfect for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, values meaningful human connection, and is passionate about crisis prevention and mental health recovery.

What You’ll Do

• Champion the day-to-day operation of our Recovery Lounges, ensuring safe, effective, person-centred support, in line with Mind BLMK’s service delivery models, policies and procedures.
• Lead, inspire, and supervise staff and volunteers, fostering growth, wellbeing, and confidence.
• Assess individuals’ needs, offer a community setting where those who struggle with isolation can find engagement, deliver 1:1 support, and help prevent further deterioration or crisis.
• Build strong partnerships with NHS mental health services and local community groups to maximise impact.
• Maintain high standards of safeguarding, health and safety, data management, and service quality.
• Represent Mind BLMK across Bedfordshire, strengthening awareness and engagement with our crisis services.
• Work closely with the Crisis Services Delivery Manager and Operational Crisis Services Manager to deliver a successful and valued service.

You can find more information about in the Role Profile on our website.

Benefits of Working with Mind BLMK

We invest in your wellbeing, growth, and work–life balance. Benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave (pro rata) plus all Bank Holidays (usually 8, pro rata)
• NEST pension scheme with auto-enrolment
  • Employer contribution: 3%
  • Employee contribution: 5%
• Optional Health Plan
• Learning & Development opportunities, including in-house and external training
• Flexible working available on request (in line with Mind BLMK policy)
• Proud Disability Confident Employer (since 2008)
• Mindful Employer and Mindful Employer Plus signatory – demonstrating our ongoing commitment to positive mental health in the workplace

Closedown: 5pm, Tuesday 2nd December 2025
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.

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Training and Implementation to join our Central Social Care Service located at our Head Office in Islington.

£33,000 per annum, working 35 hours per week.

Want to feel like you're making a difference? You'll feel at home here.

Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS
• Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
• Fully paid induction programme and further training
• ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
• Online wellbeing resources
• A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
• Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

What you'll do:

• Oversee all induction and mandatory training, ensuring it meets organisational requirements
• Ensure induction material is up-to-date and engaging
• Ensure all training offered is innovative and engaging and uses technology where possible
• Host the first day of the induction programme 'Feel at Home'
• Deliver ad-hoc training as required
• Coordinate schedules and rotas for mandatory training and induction delivery
• Commission, market, and deliver the learning and development programme in line with organisational needs whilst ensuring value for money, professional training delivery and demonstrable outcomes
• Regularly review and improve the training offer in line with best practice

• Work with the Recruitment, Training and Talent Manager to review and, where required, develop a programme to meet the generic and specialist operational learning and development needs across the business in line with CQC, Ofsted, legislation, contract, policy and procedural requirements

• Ensure LMS is fit for purpose and used effectively so that staff and managers are clear on the training available to them and when they are going out of date with mandatory requirements

• Use the LMS system and work with the Performance team to produce management reports (including but not limited to safeguarding, attendance, non-attendance and operational induction monitoring)
• Use data and analytics to monitor training effectiveness, identify trends, and inform decision-making
• Evaluate effectiveness of training programmes to ensure that it demonstrates effective return on investment and meets initial training objectives
• Implement improvements based on feedback and outcomes
• Work with Recruitment, Training and Talent Manager to deliver training within budget, maintain the budget spreadsheet and ensure prompt payment to suppliers
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including managers, senior leaders, training providers and LMS provider

• Effectively manage and develop the Talent Partner with the Recruitment Team Leader
• Work collaboratively with the L&D and wider People team
• Work with Recruitment, Training and Talent Manager and Business Development on training costings and plans for new or proposed services

• Demonstrate the company values and establish a positive culture that aligns with the organisation's strategic objectives
• Ensure compliance with all relevant policies and procedures across area of responsibility and for trainings being developed
• Keep up to date on any regulatory, legal or best practice changes in training for the Supported Housing sector
• Support staff and managers through change initiatives related to training and implementation, ensuring clear communication and engagement throughout transitions
• Champion Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in all training and in the implementation of the LMS, ensuring content and delivery are inclusive and accessible
• Promote staff wellbeing through supportive training practices and by signposting to relevant resources
• Take ownership of mandatory training compliance, including monitoring, reporting, and driving achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs) for mandatory training completion within specified timeframes across the organisation
• Provide regular updates to management and take proactive steps to address areas of non-compliance

• Lead and carry out internal quality assurance activities to maintain the integrity and consistency of assessment decisions across qualification programmes

• Sample assessment decisions, provide constructive feedback to assessors, and support continuous improvement in assessment practice
• Ensure all IQA processes fully meet the requirements of awarding bodies such as ILM and/or CPCAB
• Prepare for and support external quality assurance visits, maintaining accurate and compliant IQA records
• Contribute to standardisation meetings and support assessor development through guidance and training
• Work collaboratively with programme leads to ensure qualification delivery meets internal and external quality standards
• Any other duties as required

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:

• Excellent relationship building skills with internal staff and managers and external stakeholders
• Customer outcome focused
• Effective verbal and written communication with staff at all levels
• Positive can-do approach
• Ability to learn new skills quickly
• Creative and innovative in ideas and approach
• High levels of initiative
• Flexible in approach
• Excellent prioritisation and organisational skills
• Intermediate to advanced IT skills on all Microsoft packages and IT systems
• Resilient able to manage self and maintain effective delivery
• Ability to cope with change in a fast paced and challenging environment
• Ability to analyse data and produce actionable insights
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Commitment to staying up to date with changes impacting training in the sector

What you'll bring:

Essential:

• Quickly learns and confidently navigates new IT systems, using them to streamline and improve business processes
• Experience of training staff
• Experience of carrying out training needs analysis
• Experience in coaching and developing staff
• Track record of successfully implementing systems, processes, or programmes within a multi-site organisation
• Strong negotiation skills, with experience securing cost-effective training solutions and establishing clear deliverables
• Experienced in managing external partnerships and ensuring contractual obligations are met
• Knowledgeable about best practice and innovative approaches to training delivery, with a commitment to continuous improvement
• Proficient in using e-learning authoring tools, virtual classrooms, and blended learning methodologies
• Demonstrable experience in monitoring and reporting on training KPIs, particularly for mandatory training

Desirable:

• Knowledge of ILM and/or CPCAB frameworks
• Proven experience of internal verification and moderation within a regulated qualification framework
• Understanding of awarding body quality assurance requirements and best practice

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.

We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:

• We focus on Excellence and innovation.
• We are Caring and Compassionate.
• We are Inclusive and Trusted.
• We work in Partnership and are One-Team.

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Kitchen Chef

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Chef to join our Homelessness Social Care Service in Westminster.

£12,603.50 per annum, working 17.5 hours per week.
Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.
Our benefits include:
* Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
* Free DBS
* Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
* Fully paid induction programme and further training
* ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
* Online wellbeing resources
* A generous pension - we will contribute up to 4% and life assurance cover up to £10,000 (T&Cs apply)
* Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

What you'll do:
* To be responsible for the day-to-day supervision for all staff working in the kitchen/dining room
* To prepare and cook meals for residents according to agreed menus
* To ensure that meals are provided on time in accordance advertised meal times
* To ensure food kitchen hygiene meets a high standard at all times
* To ensure that all meals are appropriately presented and served
* To monitor all kitchen staff in safe methods of working with equipment and machinery
* To report any accident, breakage or fault in accordance with the stated procedure
* To maintain a high level of cleanliness and hygiene in all food preparation and serving areas
* To provide a high standard of service to customers at all times and to deal with customers comments and complaints appropriately
* Any other duties as designated by the line manager

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:
* Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
* Approachable and open behaviour
* Prefers working as part of a group or team
* Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
* Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
* Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
* Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
* Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
* Is essentially customer-focused
* Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
* Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviours

What you'll bring:

Essential:
* Holds a level 3 food safety certificate

Desirable:

* Previously worked in a kitchen environment

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.
We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:
* We focus on Excellence and innovation.
* We are Caring and Compassionate.
* We are Inclusive and Trusted.
* We work in Partnership and are One-Team.
Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Delicia Mensah | Talent Partner | People Team
Look Ahead | Cally Yard, 439 Caledonian Road, London, N7 9BG
| www.lookahead.org.uk | @lookaheadtweets
Pronouns: She/Her

Do you want to support people with mental health issues in a moment of crisis?

Are you calm, non-judgemental and able to work effectively with people experiencing distress?

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.

Job title: Refugee Community Outreach Worker
Reference: 302
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £26,000 - £27,000 per annum
Based: Flexible across our 7 Hertfordshire wellbeing centres

We have a vacancy for a Community Outreach Worker to join our team, supporting refugees and asylum seekers in the community with multiple needs who have mental health as a primary need, through providing advice, information and holistic support.

About the Service

This is an exciting and reasonably new project, ‘Flourish’ – Mental Health for Refugees in Hertfordshire, which is a highly flexible and responsive outreach service developed to meet the needs of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine & other refugees in Hertfordshire. The aim of the service will be to support refugees in the community with multiple needs who have mental health support as a primary need.

The countywide holistic service also provides emotional wellbeing support for families who are hosting refugees.

‘Complex needs’ are defined by the National Complex Needs Alliance as a combination of health needs and social needs.

Purpose of Post

• The purpose of the Hertfordshire Mind Network Refugee Community Outreach Worker role is to:
• To provide advice, information, onward referral and holistic support to clients with mental ill health.
• Support to build social networks and reduce isolation whilst settling into the Hertfordshire community this includes building a sustainable and empowering peer support network and building confidence and self-esteem.
• To ensure that the safety and wellbeing of the client is monitored and reviewed regularly.
• To remain a source of independent support for all clients.
• Embed a person centred and solution focused approach in all aspects of the role.
• To work in a trauma informed way including awareness of the 6 principles of trauma informed practice, putting the clients emotional and practical needs at the forefront of this work.

The successful candidate will have experience of caseload management, a good understanding of Mental Health conditions and experience of working with vulnerable individuals who are affected by housing difficulties and/or displacement. Understanding and knowledge of the concerns and challenges for refugees and asylum seekers and lived experience would be desirable.

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.
• Eligibility for blue light card.
• Health cover (after 6 months employment) – compensation payment for Optical, Dental, Chiropody and Therapy Treatments.

Being able to drive and having access to your own vehicle is essential for this role.

Closing date: Ongoing. Applications are being reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Interview date: Held on a rolling basis. Shortlisted applicants will be notified of interviews dates.
Please note: we reserve the right to close the post once we have reached maximum applications or filled the role.

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.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

1 Provide information, advice and support to parents/carers of disabled children individually and in group sessions

2 Signpost parents/carers to appropriate services for their whole family provided by the statutory sector, voluntary sector and Umbrella

3 Supporting parents/carers to access and engage with services as appropriate

4 To hold a small caseload of families who need early intervention support, providing those families with more intensive support including regular telephone calls, home visits, signposting and attending meetings and appointments with them.

5 To work closely with Umbrella teams, ensuring a smooth handover

6 Develop and maintain strong and effective working relationships with staff working with disabled children and their families employed by other local agencies

7 Develop a high level of knowledge of local services

8 Facilitate a comprehensive range of well supported parent support groups across the area, taking account of geographical and community issues

9 Supporting and directing volunteers to provide peer support and help with group activities

10 Collating and reporting on relevant statistical and other performance information

11 Working with parents/carers to continually improve the service. 

General Responsibilities

1 Manage and organise your own time and activities to ensure tasks are prioritised, and agreed deadlines are met

2 Assist with the marketing and promotion of the service

3 Work closely with Parent /Carer Forums and Information, Advice Support Services.

4 Take an active part in continuing to develop own knowledge and skills relevant to the job, attending training as required

5 Keep clear and comprehensive case notes

6 Maintain confidentiality

7 Support parents/carers and young people to express their views

8 Work with parents to identify and develop new ways of providing effective support to parents, including the use of ICT and social media

9 To contribute to Umbrella service reports and bulletins.

Other Requirements

In accordance with relevant legislation, to take all reasonable care of your health, safety, and welfare and that of other people and premises affected by your work

In discharging the duties and responsibilities set out in the job description to ensure compliance with Equal Opportunities policies and principles.

In order to achieve the objectives of Umbrella, the post holder will need to work flexibly, including out of hours

This is not a full and complete statement of duties and responsibilities, which may be amended in the light of changing needs of parents and carers, after consultation with the post holder