Mental health advocate jobs

About The Advocacy Project

We help people speak up and make decisions about their health, wellbeing and social care. We’re here to make sure people who are vulnerable because of their circumstance can understand their rights, make effective choices about their lives and voice their concerns.

Some of the ways we do this include:

• advocacy services that make sure people can express their wishes when decisions are being made about their care or wellbeing
• user involvement projects that help organisations improve what they offer by listening to people who use their services
• local Healthwatch services, which act as health and social care champions for the areas they serve and give people a direct channel to share their feedback
•  innovative Personal Health Budget projects that allow people to access items and services to improve their wellbeing.

Our services are independent, confidential, and free to those receiving them. Together, our teams are standing up for essential rights and supporting people to have a say on the issues that matter to them.

About the role

The post-holder will provide independent advocacy in various settings, including in the community, people’s homes, and hospital settings including mental health wards. You’ll raise awareness of advocacy, including for people from minority ethnic communities. You’ll work as part of a team of independent advocates, reporting to the Advocacy Service Manager. 

You will work as part of the Ealing advocacy team. You may also need to carry out your role in other London boroughs.

Under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the post holder will be required to visit CQC registered care homes and would be subject to government requirements.

Key responsibilities

• Provide advocacy for eligible people under Mental Health Act 2007, the Health and Social Care Act 2012, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and under the Care Act 2014.
• Provide a one-to-one advocacy service for people and undertake case work, evidencing and uploading case notes and data in a timely manner.
• Provide instructed and non-instructed advocacy, where appropriate.
• Provide information, support or signpost clients in order to inform or empower individuals on any issues about their treatment under the relevant legislation.
• Act as duty advocate for our Single Point of Access referral line on a rota basis.
• Meet case-working standards, monitoring system requirements and the goals for our service, making sure everyone needing advocacy is referred into the service in the right way.
• Work within the location-specific engagement protocols, security, confidentiality and safeguarding policies (in addition to the Advocacy Best Practice Handbook).
• Actively promote self-advocacy throughout all work with patients, where practical.
• Raise awareness of independent advocacy and referring pathways to eligible people and referring agencies.
• Keep your knowledge of legislation and policy up-to-date, including the mental health act, mental capacity act, care act, and local / national policy.
• Keep up to date with developments and good practice in independent advocacy (including different advocacy models).
• Develop good working relationships with key staff within health and social care services.
• Be an active member of the advocacy service, contributing to service planning and providing cover for other colleagues when needed.

General responsibilities

• Participate in team meetings and training.
• Participate in personal, team and organisational development.
• Contribute to monitoring reports.
• Keep to our policies, including health & safety, and risk regulations.
• Work to our mission, vision, and values.
• Carry out other projects and tasks as needed.

Person specification

We welcome applications from people with transferrable skills and qualities, and people with diverse employment histories and personal backgrounds.

Essential qualities and attributes:

• Understanding of the role and responsibilities of an advocate.
• Understanding of issues faced by people with mental health conditions, physical health conditions and learning disabilities.
• Ability to listen and build trust, to encourage people to express their own views and to represent clients’ self-defined interests.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal). Good at working with a wide variety of people including commissioners, service users and colleagues.
• IT literate, including working knowledge of Microsoft packages (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Commitment to working within The Advocacy Project code of conduct, equality and safeguarding policies.
• Ability to work as part of a team and on your own initiative, to plan and prioritise your own workload.
• Willingness to promote The Advocacy Project and its services in line with our mission, vision and values.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.

Desirable knowledge, experience and qualifications:

• Experience of delivering different forms of advocacy (instructed and non-instructed; IMHA, ICAA, IMCA, IHCA,) within a statutory advocacy service.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act / Mental Capacity Act / Care Act and other statutory legislation as it applies to advocacy.
• Knowledge of mental health sections and social care services, including current issues in policy and practice.
• Understanding of the Accessible Information Standard.
• Advocacy qualification.

Benefits of working for us

We’re committed to providing an empowering, flexible and supportive working environment for all our staff.

Our employee benefits include 30 days annual leave (including up to 3 days between Christmas and New Year), participation in a pension scheme with 6% employer contribution, access to a free confidential counselling service, and an interest-free travel/bike loan.

All our staff are supported to learn and develop in a variety of ways, including a monthly lecture series where we invite sector experts to talk to our staff on topical issues.

We are a Disability Confident and Mindful Employer.

Purpose of Post: The Events Coordinator will help to plan, promote and deliver a diverse programme of online and in-person events that reflect the organisation’s mission to support, empower and amplify the voices of people with lived experience of mental illness. These will include outreach sessions, campaigning events, open forums, creative workshops, community engagement activities, fundraising events, awareness days and partnership events.

The post-holder will ensure all events are accessible, inclusive, trauma-informed and well-organised, working closely with the Engagement & Campaigns Manager, project teams, volunteers and external partners.

Given the collaborative and engagement-focused nature of this role, and its direct delivery responsibilities, regular face-to-face working is required, with the post-holder based primarily in the office and attending events and community activities as needed.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Planning and Coordination

• Develop and maintain an annual events calendar covering outreach, campaigns, creative sessions, open forums, workshops and fundraising (both online and in-person).
• Lead on the end-to-end planning of online and in-person events including aims, audience, format, accessibility needs, timelines, budgets, venues, equipment and staffing.
• Prepare event plans, schedules, risk assessments and checklists to ensure smooth delivery.
• Liaise with venues, suppliers and partners to negotiate costs (ensuring value for money), confirm bookings and arrange logistics.

 Promotion and Communications

• Produce accessible event information and promotional materials, working with colleagues to ensure inclusive language, imagery and formats.
• Use social media, website updates, e-newsletters and community networks to publicise events.
• Maintain event booking systems (e.g. Eventbrite, online forms), manage attendee lists and respond promptly to enquiries.

Event Delivery

• Act as point of contact on the day of events, ensuring smooth set-up, running and pack-down (including seating, signage, technology and accessibility adjustments).

• Brief staff, volunteers and facilitators on their roles and responsibilities before and during events, to ensure clarity of roles.

• Greet attendees, speakers and partners; creating a warm, inclusive and trauma-sensitive environment.
• Monitor timing, technical requirements (e.g. microphones, presentations, online platforms if appropriate) and respond to any issues that arise calmly and adapt plans where needed.

Community Engagement and Stakeholder Support

• Build strong relationships with partner organisations, community groups, local charities, the council and health & social care stakeholders.
• Represent the organisation professionally at meetings, outreach events and networking opportunities as necessary.
• Support delivery of awareness campaigns, public consultations and community engagement activity.

Volunteer Coordination

• Support the recruitment, induction, supervision and recognition of event volunteers.
• Provide clear instructions and create a positive, supportive environment for volunteers.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Collect and analyse event data, including attendance, demographics, costs, outcomes and feedback (e.g. surveys, informal feedback, Mentimeter)
• Produce reports and summaries to evidence impact, support funder reporting and inform future planning.

Finance and Administration

• Work within agreed event budgets, tracking expenditure and income, and seeking value for money.
• Process invoices, petty cash and expenses in line with Hear Us, financial procedures.
• Maintain an organised system for event documentation (e.g. booking forms, contracts, attendance, risk assessments, evaluations).

Safeguarding, EDI and Health & Safety

• Ensure all events comply with safeguarding, data protection, confidentiality and health & safety policies.
• Ensure events are inclusive of people from diverse backgrounds and are accessible to people with a range of mental health needs and disabilities.
• Report safeguarding concerns promptly following internal procedures.

Other Duties

• Attend staff meetings, supervision, training and development opportunities.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative and learning culture.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties within the scope and spirit of the role as requested by your line manager.

It is the nature of the work that tasks and responsibilities are in many circumstances unpredictable and varied. All employees are expected to work in a flexible way, as required by Hear Us. Some meetings and other events may be held out of normal office hours and could involve travel away from the local area.

The above items outline the main duties and responsibilities of the post and are designed to give an accurate flavour of the nature and scope of this post. However, they do not represent an inclusive list of all the duties required

ID: 1653 Job Title: Recovery Worker Young Adults Lead

Service:                    BAND – Living Well

Salary: £25,221 - £27,780 FTE per annum

Location: Bolton BL4 (Based within NHS Living Well Team)

Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)

We offer flexible working arrangements - please see below for more details.

Contract type:  Permanent

Family Action & the Role’s Impact:

At Family Action we support people through change, challenge or crisis. It’s what we’ve done for over 150 years. We protect children, support young people and adults and offer direct, practical help to families and communities.

We see first-hand the power of family to shape lives, for better or worse, so we speak up for the

importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today.

Living Well is a transformative programme to deliver real change and improvement to mental health services for individuals in Bolton.  Its aim is to design a service that sits around individuals to support their health and wellbeing rather than expecting people to fit into our services. The role of Recovery Worker young adults lead will be hosted by Family Action and will be part of the Living Well Team in Bolton.

We are looking for someone with knowledge and understanding of Mental Health conditions and their impact on daily living and a strong track-record of working with individuals and their families to deliver positive outcomes.  You will work within the team to prototype new ways of supporting individuals, and contribute to the ongoing development of the team by sharing learning and by listening and responding to feedback from people who use the service

Main Responsibilities:

· You will carry a caseload of clients, working with individuals and their families to plan, support and achieve goals and outcomes that are important to them.

· To Develop trusting working relationships and provide practical and emotional support to individuals accessing the Living Well service.

· To develop and maintain positive professional working relationships and referral pathways to local statutory and community-based services which support adults

Main Requirements (for details check the job description and person specification):

· Strong interpersonal, consultation and holistic assessment skills.

· An interest in working with people to make sustainable positive changes.

· An effective communicator, who works in a person-centred way.

· Knowledge of Mental Health conditions and strategies to improve health and wellbeing

· Appointments are subject to Family Action receiving a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service – Enhanced Adult workforce.  

Benefits:

- an annual paid leave entitlement of 30 working days plus bank holidays

- up to 6% matched-pension contributions

- flexible working arrangements and new starters have the right to make flexible working requests from day one of employment

- enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions

- eye care and winter flu jabs vouchers

- cycle to work scheme

- investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities

We are forward looking, ambitious and committed to continuous improvement. We are a people focused, can-do organisation, which strives for excellence in all we do and operates with mutual respect.

To Apply:

· Click the “Apply Now” link below and fill out our digital application form

· Closing Date: Tuesday 6th January 2026

· To learn more about Family Action: Careers

· To help us fulfil our commitment to diversity and promoting equal opportunities: complete our anonymous Equality & Diversity Monitoring Information survey

Interviews are scheduled to take place in Mid-January 2025 in person in Bolton, with slots throughout the working day.

For direct queries or if you would like to discuss any aspect of the selection process or flexible working requests, please email: Dan Harrison, full email located on the advert document 

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process and you will be asked whether you require any adjustments if shortlisted for interview. We also make reasonable adjustments on the job, where required.

We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all that we do and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Intersectionality is important to us and we particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ candidates and disabled candidates because we are committed to increasing the representation of these groups at Family Action. We know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for families and children and strive for our workforce to be truly representative of the diverse communities we support. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role, and will reimburse your travel cost if you attend an interview.

*Ordinarily Family Action appoints new starters at the starting point of the salary scale (with subsequent annual pay progression), unless you have experience that would justify appointment further up the salary scale or there are any other exceptional reasons.

About us:

Empire Fighting Chance is a sport for development charity. We use  psychologically informed non-contact boxing programmes that reach around 10,000 vulnerable young people every year.  We run these programmes in our gym, in schools, and through a growing network of partner organisations and affiliated amateur boxing clubs in England and Wales.

Our model features a powerful fusion of boxing and psychology, delivered by coaches and therapists that young people can trust, in a place where they feel safe, cared for and understood.

With Empire Fighting Chance, young people gain support in ways that are natural and enjoyable, encouraging them to turn up, relax, engage in the work, and go on to make positive changes to their lives.

About the job:

Do you have a drive for breaking down the barriers of traditional therapeutic services, whilst supporting young people to address mental health issues in a creative and non-stigmatising way? 

We are passionate about breaking down the barriers that often prevent young people from accessing the mental health support they need. In many of the communities in which we work, mental health issues are stigmatised and rarely discussed. Traditional clinic-based therapy can be difficult to access and intimidating for young people, leading to reluctance in seeking the necessary help and opening up. Our approach is to bring mental health services out of clinics and into the communities where young people live.

Box Therapy combines non-contact boxing with psychologically informed interventions with the primary aim being to support and empower young people to improve their emotional wellbeing and mental health. Box Therapy most commonly takes place in a boxing gym setting, where our therapists use non-contact boxing as a physical outlet to help young people build trust, manage their emotions, and make positive changes in their lives. We also deliver Box Therapy in school-based settings.

This is an incredible opportunity to play a key role in a thriving charity that is supporting youth in our community through an active and engaging approach to improving lives. Every day, we meet young people who are facing significant challenges in their lives such as mental health issues, chaotic home lives, difficulties at school or involvement in crime.

With your commitment, timely input, and ability to think outside the box, we can dramatically increase the impact of our work, and improve the mental health outcomes of those who engage with our services and promote new and innovative ways to break down the barriers many young people experience in accessing critical mental health support.

We are also embarking on an exciting journey to take Boxing Therapy to the nation. We have just finished our inaugural training programme to create and support new Boxing Therapists from across the UK.

Your role:

Box Therapy is an accessible way for young people to receive support from a qualified practitioner in a non-clinical, non-intimidating setting.

As a Boxing Therapist you will be expected to work with young people with moderate to severe and enduring mental health issues in both 1:1 and group settings. You will not be expected to have a specific sports or boxing qualification, but an interest in fitness and the benefits of physical activity as a therapeutic tool are essential. 

You will receive full boxing coaching skills training as a part of your induction.

Your responsibilities:

• To provide effective mental health support to young people aged between 8 and 25. This includes combining non-contact boxing and physical exercise with psychosocial interventions.
• To work in a dynamic and unconventional work environment where flexibility and creativity are paramount.
• To work with young people in a 1:1 and group-based capacity in both gym and school-based settings.
• To maintain the highest standards of record keeping including electronic data entry and recording, report writing, outcome. measurement and the responsible exercise of professional self-governance in accordance with Service and Partner’s policies and procedures.
• To ensure the development and maintenance of the highest personal and professional standards of practice, through active participation in clinical supervision, training, and reflective personal development sessions.
• To utilise assessment and formulation skills to guide the delivery of therapeutic interventions.
• To work flexibly and with initiative to meet the core aims of service delivery to children and young people, including working evenings and some weekends.
• To autonomously manage own caseload.
• To build positive and effective relationships with young people/ carers/parents/ external services to aid a young person's therapeutic journey.
• To increase understanding and awareness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and how this informs Box Therapy.
• To work within a multi-disciplinary team, and alongside colleagues.
• To work collaboratively with other organisations/agencies.

What we’re looking for from you:

We are seeking compassionate and culturally competent therapeutic practitioners who understand the complexities of working-class communities and the impact of societal inequalities on mental health. In this role, you will have the opportunity to provide support and advocacy to clients from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds

Qualifications:

• Registered practitioner (RMHN, OT, Practitioner Psychologist, Counsellor, Psychotherapist)
• Therapy-related qualification desirable

Essential attributes:

• A proactive and creative approach to work
• The ability to use own initiative and work cohesively as a part of a team.
• A willingness to support others, and ability to work empathically as part of a team.
• A creative and curious approach to providing alternative approaches to mental health support.
• An active interest in fitness and sport and its therapeutic potential.
• Confidence and enthusiasm, alongside a passion for professional development.
• Excellent written English skills with reading, writing and numeracy skills.
• The ability to build positive working relationships with young people, parents and careers, and other organisations/agencies.
• A high level of analytical and judgement skills.
• Robust and well-developed clinical reasoning skills
• The ability to engage young people in meaningful therapeutic alliances, being personable and welcoming whilst setting clear and consistent boundaries.
• Resilience, a sense of humour and the willingness to integrate as part of the wider Empire boxing team.
• Required experience/knowledge:
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development in an area of mental health or supporting people field.
• Awareness of social determinants of mental health and wellbeing.
• Experience working with underserved populations, and an understanding of the social, economic, and cultural factors that impact mental health outcomes.
• An understanding of common mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions.
• A good understanding of the barriers and challenges that people with serious mental health issues face.
• Must have some understanding of the issues affecting people from underserved and marginalised populations, and a commitment to social justice and advocacy.

Read the full job pack and apply through our website. 

Job Title: Health Advocate Educator - Maternity Cover

Location: Warwickshire
Salary: £25,857.12 per annum
Contract type: Full Time, Fixed Term (from 1 March 2026 until 1 April 2027 - Maternity cover)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Domestic Abuse Health Advocate Educator supporting women and children who are impacted by domestic violence. You will work closely with victims of domestic abuse from the point of crisis, to provide high quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of domestic abuse at the highest risk and their children.

The Health Advocate Educator will support healthcare teams to identify domestic abuse at an early stage and ensure appropriate responses and referral pathways are offered to female, male and non-binary survivors of domestic violence and abuse. In addition, the post holder will directly support survivors of domestic abuse and hold their own case load.

The post holder will collaborate with the local ICB and Service Manager to strengthen connections with healthcare teams and create effective partnerships that support survivors. 

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 6 January 2026

Interview Date: 15 January 2026

Job Title: Health Advocate Educator - Full Time

Location: Warwickshire
Salary: £25,857.12 per annum
Contract type: Full Time, Permanent 

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Domestic Abuse Health Advocate Educator supporting women and children who are impacted by domestic violence. You will work closely with victims of domestic abuse from the point of crisis, to provide high quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of domestic abuse at the highest risk and their children.

The Health Advocate Educator will support healthcare teams to identify domestic abuse at an early stage and ensure appropriate responses and referral pathways are offered to female, male and non-binary survivors of domestic violence and abuse. In addition, the post holder will directly support survivors of domestic abuse and hold their own case load.

The post holder will collaborate with the local ICB and Service Manager to strengthen connections with healthcare teams and create effective partnerships that support survivors. 

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 7 January 2026

Interview Date: 19 January 2026

ob Title: Health Advocate Educator

Location: Warwickshire
Salary: £12,928.56 per annum 
Contract type: Part Time, Permanent

Hours: 18.75 hours per week. Monday and Tuesday – 9am-5pm and Wednesday – 9am-12:45pm. Occasional late shift: 12:30pm – 8:30pm on a rota basis (approximately 2-3 days a month) 

This is an opportunity to join Refuge as a Domestic Abuse Health Advocate Educator supporting women and children who are impacted by domestic violence. You will work closely with victims of domestic abuse from the point of crisis, to provide high quality independent advocacy and support to survivors of domestic abuse at the highest risk and their children.

The Health Advocate Educator will support healthcare teams to identify domestic abuse at an early stage and ensure appropriate responses and referral pathways are offered to female, male and non-binary survivors of domestic violence and abuse. In addition, the post holder will directly support survivors of domestic abuse and hold their own case load.

The post holder will collaborate with the local ICB and Service Manager to strengthen connections with healthcare teams and create effective partnerships that support survivors. 

This post is restricted to women due to the nature of the role. The Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 (part 1) of the Equality Act 2010 applies.

Closing Date: 09:00am 5 January 2026

Interview Date: 12 January 2026

Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?

Do you have experience of working or volunteering in welfare, support or health and social care and are looking for a new challenge?

Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard?

Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility.

We are looking for an Advocate to join our team over in Shetland. We are seeking applicants who have transferable skills, a willingness to learn and a desire to help those in need of support.

About us

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations.

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for an Advocate to join and shape this service covering Shetland Your role will require you to travel to locations such as clients’ homes, hospitals, care homes and within community settings across the area to meet with clients and professionals. You will be home based for administration; therefore, access to your own transportation and a suitable home internet connection is essential. 

About you

Desirably you will have some experience of working in advocacy, or providing welfare, supporting, or caring for Adults who have support needs, ideally for those with a variety of communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or barriers to accessing support.

You should have worked or volunteered in health, social care, welfare, support services, education or young person’s services, or advice and guidance. 

How will you make a difference?

You will be responsible for ensuring the individual’s wishes, feelings, beliefs, needs, and values are met to create positive outcomes for the people you support.

You will support people to speak up for themselves and grow in confidence, equip them to understand and exercise their rights and options, and will assist them in the decision-making process relating to their care, treatment, and support.

You will work resourcefully and collaboratively with the individuals you support.  You’ll be creative in your approach to empower our clients by ensuring you meaningfully explain people’s options and rights to them under Scottish legislation.  You’ll support individuals to fully participate in decisions affecting them and will make sure they have their voices heard. 

Benefits 

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service 

5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution 

Salary sacrifices pension scheme 

Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary) 

Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc 

24/7 Employee Assistance programme 

Access to remote counselling service 

Paid Disability Leave 

Paid compassionate Leave 

Home Working Allowance  

Support with continuous professional development 

Access to Clifton Strengths Coaching for development  

Personal Development Plans 

How are staff supported to work remotely? 

VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community. 

When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs).  

VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach. 

Equality and Diversity

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. If you need to apply in a different way, please contact HR for further options.

How to apply

To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account by clicking the apply button on this page. Follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form. 

Important Dates:

Closing date for applications; Midnight on 17th December 2025 however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date.

Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification.

Hint: you can use work, personal and/or voluntary experiences, and examples to tell us why you should be our next Advocate.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Do you want to work with a leading advocacy charity organisation supporting those in need?  

Do you have experience of working or volunteering in welfare, support or health and social care and are looking for a new challenge? 

Are you keen to make a difference to people who want to be heard? 

Then come and join us here at VoiceAbility. 

We have an exciting opportunity for an Advocate to join our team in Wiltshire.  Your role will require you to travel to locations such as hospitals and care homes across the area to meet with clients and professionals and be home based for administration; therefore, a suitable home internet connection is essential. 

About us 

VoiceAbility is an independent charity and one of the UK’s largest providers of advocacy and involvement services. We deliver a wide range of service contracts funded by local authorities, health trusts and other voluntary and private sector organisations. 

We’ve been supporting people to have their say in decisions about their health, care, and wellbeing for over 40 years. We make sure people are heard when it matters most.  For more information on what Advocacy is and the services offered then please visit our website. 

About you

Desirably you will have some experience of working as an Advocate, providing welfare, supporting, or caring for Adults or young people who have support needs, ideally for those with a variety of communication needs, mental ill health, physical health issues, or barriers to accessing education and support.

You should have worked or volunteered in health, social care, welfare, support services, education or young person’s services, or advice and guidance.

How will you make a difference?

You will be responsible for ensuring the individual’s wishes, feelings, beliefs, needs, and values are met to create positive outcomes for the people you support.

You will support people to speak up for themselves and grow in confidence, equip them to understand and exercise their rights and options, and will assist them in the decision-making process relating to their care, treatment, and support.

You will work resourcefully and collaboratively with the individuals you support.  You’ll be creative in your approach to empower our clients by ensuring you meaningfully explain people’s options and rights to them.  You’ll support individuals to fully participate in decisions affecting them and will make sure they have their voices heard. 

Benefits 

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time colleagues) rising to 30 days upon 5 years’ service 

5% employer pension & minimum 3% employee contribution 

Salary sacrifices pension scheme 

Separate Life Assurance Cover (equivalent of two times your annual salary) 

Staff discount scheme including retail discounts, entertainment, holidays, gym membership etc 

24/7 Employee Assistance programme 

Access to remote counselling service 

Paid Disability Leave 

Paid compassionate Leave 

Home Working Allowance  

Support with continuous professional development 

Access to Clifton Strengths Coaching for development  

Personal Development Plans 

How are staff supported to work remotely? 

VoiceAbility has a small number of offices. Employees including Team Leaders are homebased for Administration and meetings will be held online as well as in person in the relevant community. 

When you need to travel for work, expenses will be paid (mileage or public transport costs).  

VoiceAbility offers the usual regular manager one to ones, Staff forums and communities of practice depending on role. Team meetings with a mix of virtual and in person approach. 

Equality and Diversity

VoiceAbility believes in fostering an inclusive workplace which welcomes, values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and partners, treats all on a basis of equality and encourages all to meet their maximum potential.

VoiceAbility are a Disability Confident employer, any applicant that identifies themselves as having a disability and can demonstrate that they meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. 

How to apply

To apply for this role please sign up for a recruitment account by clicking the apply button on this page. Follow the instructions to create your account, upload your CV, and complete our short application form. 

Important Dates:

Closing date for applications; 9am on 03 December 2025, however, VoiceAbility reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy before this date. 

Don’t forget to read the person specification so you can tell us about yourself and how your skills, abilities and experiences match the criteria outlined in the person specification. 

Hint: you can use work, personal and/or voluntary experiences, and examples to tell us why you should be our next Advocate. 

We look forward to hearing from you.

NB: If you don't already hold the Independent Advocacy Practice qualification, and you are successful in your application, it is a requirement that you complete the core element within 12 months of commencing the training.  VoiceAbility will fund this training.

We are recruiting for two opportunities: one Permanent position and one Fixed-Term (12 months) position.

This role sits within our Connecting Communities service, which is an element of the larger Mental Health and Wellbeing Service in Tower Hamlets. The post holder will be committed to supporting our clients through their recovery and developing greater resilience and wellbeing. This role will offer a personalised approach to accessing welfare and housing-related advice and information, through casework, workshops and advice surgeries.

What you’ll do 

• Provide welfare benefits and housing advice to support people with mental health challenges to live independently in the community.
• Help clients understand and resolve issues related to welfare benefits and ensure they receive their correct entitlements.
• Run workshops, groups, and advice surgeries on welfare benefits and related topics, such as money management.
• Work collaboratively with the Connecting Communities team, mental health services, housing associations, and other providers to support welfare benefits enquiries, referrals, and training needs.

Are you passionate about making a difference in people's lives? Do you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment? Are you ready to take on a role that impacts your community? We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Independent Advocate to join our vibrant team in the bustling heart of Birmingham.

As an Independent Advocate, you will provide crucial support to vulnerable adults facing significant health and social care challenges. You will deliver a range of statutory advocacy services including Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA), Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) and Care Act Advocacy. Your role involves delivering persuasive verbal and written representations on behalf of clients, collaborating with public and voluntary organisations, and taking directed actions to address client issues. This role demands flexibility, excellent communication, and the ability to handle sensitive information confidently.

Hours of Work: Full-Time: 37 hours, working between Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm

Location: Home based with travel around the Birmingham area.
(Applicants must live within the area; have a full driver’s licence and access to their own transport)

Salary: Starting Salary of £24,242.40 per annum

Contract type: Permanent

Independent Advocate Requirements:

• Strong communication and time management skills to successfully work remotely.
• Excellent IT skills, including the use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel, and the ability to learn software packages such as client management databases.
• Attention to detail to ensure accurate recording of records and reporting to meet tight deadlines.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in advocacy, information and advice, or a similar role within health, social care, or the voluntary sector.
• Demonstrable experience working with vulnerable adults.
• Working knowledge of public and voluntary organisations.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave + Bank holiday (Rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service) with the option to buy or sell up to 5 days leave + your birthday off as an additional holiday day after 1 years’ service!
• Discretionary shutdown days at Christmas with up to 4 additional days leave.
• 1 Community Leave Day per annum.
• Cash Wellbeing Healthcare Plan which covers Optical/dental/alternative therapy and more!
• Auto enrolment Pension plan
• Death in service cover.
• Bike to work scheme.

Meet the Organisation: Who We Are and What We Do
 

At POhWER, we are committed to empowering individuals and enabling their voices to be heard. We provide advocacy and information services to support people in making effective decisions about their health and social care. Our team is dedicated to listening, exploring options, and taking action to meet our clients' best interests.

Think you are the perfect fit for this Independent Advocate role? Don't wait, click apply now!

Closing Date: 9AM, Wednesday 17th December 2025 (We reserve the right to close this vacancy early)

Interview Date: TBC
 

An Enhanced DBS check and National Offender Management Service vetting will be conducted for this position.

We're proud to support our colleagues from the armed forces signing the Armed Forces Covenant in August 2024.

Successful applicants will need to obtain business insurance for their own vehicle.

POhWER is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities, and particularly welcome candidates from groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. Our goal is to foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. This includes, but is not limited to, people with disabilities, women, men, Black, Asian and other racially minoritised people, LGBTQ+ who are currently under-represented in our workforce.

To help embed inclusion for all, from day one, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee networks to support people from different backgrounds.

POhWER is an equal opportunities employer, holder of the Investors in People Silver award, and a member of the MINDFUL EMPLOYER scheme. We are a level 2 Disability confidence scheme employer, and disabled applicants who meet all the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

Are you passionate about improving the health and well-being of your local community? Do you have the skills and compassion to support individuals living with long-term health conditions? We’re looking for a motivated Health & Wellbeing Facilitator to join our dedicated team at Age UK Bromley & Greenwich.

About the Role
As a Health & Wellbeing Facilitator, you will play a pivotal role in delivering our Long-Term Health Conditions Programme. This includes leading self-management workshops, organising peer support groups, and empowering clients to make positive lifestyle changes. You’ll be a key player in helping individuals build confidence, enhance their health knowledge, and take control of their well-being. Working closely with colleagues and volunteers, you’ll connect clients to valuable services, create support networks, and make a tangible difference in their lives.

What You’ll Do:

• Work with the Lifestyle Coordinator to plan and deliver engaging health and well-being workshops for individuals with ongoing health conditions.
• Facilitate support groups, training and supervising volunteer peer mentors to provide targeted, condition-specific guidance.
• Collaborate with partner organisations to ensure a smooth referral process for additional services like Befriending, Carer Support, and Handyperson services.
• Provide personalised support through various channels, including face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and online communication.
• Help clients develop essential skills, such as managing medication, reducing stress, and communicating with healthcare providers.
• Monitor programme outcomes, maintain accurate client records, and contribute to continuous service improvement.

About You
We’re looking for someone with excellent communication skills, a proactive attitude, and a genuine passion for helping others. You should have experience working with individuals who face health challenges and a commitment to promoting independence and well-being. Knowledge of local resources and services is a plus, as is experience in organising health-related workshops or programmes.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Strong communication skills with a track record of supporting individuals facing health challenges.
• A basic understanding of long-term health conditions and how they impact physical, emotional, and social well-being.
• Ability to work effectively both as part of a team and independently.
• A flexible and adaptive approach to meet the needs of our clients.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us
At Age UK Bromley & Greenwich, we are passionate about making later life a time to enjoy. Join a supportive, mission-driven team where your work is valued and where you’ll have the chance to make a real difference in your community. We value equality, respect, and creativity, offering a collaborative and flexible work environment.

What We Offer:

• 27 days of annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays.
• Pension scheme with a competitive employer match.
• Hybrid working options considered (after completion of Probation Period) to support work-life balance.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme for mental, financial, and physical well-being support.

Woman’s Trust is a leading, specialist mental health charity supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse. As we approach our 30th anniversary in 2026, we stand at a powerful moment of growth and transformation. Each year, our trauma-informed, women-led services provide life-changing counselling, therapeutic support and advocacy to women and children across London. Our ambition is to scale this work to reach many more nationally. With a dedicated team of 45 staff, a strong financial foundation and annual income of £1.3m and a deeply committed Board of Trustees, we are poised to shape an ambitious new strategy for the years ahead.

We are now seeking an inspirational Chief Executive Officer to lead Woman’s Trust into this next chapter. This is a rare opportunity to guide a respected organisation whose work is not only transformative but often life-saving. The CEO will steer our strategic and operational development, strengthen and expand partnerships, grow sustainable income, and champion our voice across policy, public campaigns and mental health advocacy. Alongside a dedicated and collaborative team and Board, you will play a vital role in delivering and developing innovative services—supporting women and children, survivors navigating the justice system, and peer-led support groups—ensuring we remain responsive to the needs and experiences of those we serve.

We are seeking an inspirational and experienced people leader who combines strategic thinking with the ambition needed to position Woman’s Trust for growth. Confident in representing your organisation at a policy and advocacy level, you will act as a powerful ambassador for survivors’ mental health, influencing systems, shaping debate and strengthening our public voice. With strong financial and governance insight and the ability to build trusted, values-driven relationships across sectors, you will model a growth mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement. Above all, you will uphold our feminist, inclusive and survivor-centred values, nurturing an empowering and equitable culture for our staff, volunteers, partners, and—most importantly—the women and children we serve.

To read more about the opportunity and our work, including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief.

If you have the passion, clarity and commitment to champion the mental health and wellbeing of women and children survivors—and the leadership to guide Woman’s Trust into a bold new era—we would be delighted to hear from you.

Closing Date: 21 December 2025

People Beyond Profit Screening Conversations: 22 December - 6 January 2026

Woman’s Trust Panel Interviews:

· First Stage (online): 13 & 14 January 2026

· Second Stage (in-person): 22 January 2026

Please note:

This post is open to female applicants only as this is deemed a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Team Leader (Mental Health) – Talking Spaces Service

Location: Birmingham

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £28,982 per annum

The Talking Space service operates from 1pm to 9pm four days a week throughout the year.

We operate one of our Talking Space services in the vibrant Jewellery Quarter, close to the city centre. Our Talking Space service provides a safe and welcoming environment for individuals aged 18+ living in Birmingham or Solihull who are experiencing emotional distress or a mental health crisis. We offer 1-to-1 appointments and drop-in support across four sites in the city (Selly Oak, Erdington, Jewellery Quarter, and Northfield). We actively listen and offer a range of referral and signposting options.

The service functions as an alternative to A&E as part of the urgent care pathway.

We now have an exciting opportunity for an empathetic and experienced leader to join our team and support the effective delivery of the Talking Space service, with a particular focus on young adults aged 18–25. You will develop engaging activities and groups that appeal to young people, helping them reach their full potential. With strong knowledge of mental wellbeing, you will work confidently within confidentiality frameworks and ensure accurate completion of all relevant documentation.

You will communicate in a style appropriate to your audience, demonstrating compassion and a non-judgmental approach toward individuals experiencing psychological distress. As Team Leader, you will provide support and supervision to the staff team, identify training needs, and complete annual appraisals. You will feel confident challenging discriminatory or disrespectful behaviour while maintaining high standards and ensuring the team upholds the same level of quality.

You may occasionally be required to work across all Talking Space sites.

We are also exploring opportunities to extend our service to support young people aged 16–18 soon.

The ideal candidate will have experience in a similar role and a strong understanding of safeguarding practices, along with a positive attitude toward individuals experiencing mental health difficulties. You will have experience working with confidential, sensitive information in line with GDPR principles. 

A confident communicator, you will feel comfortable liaising with internal and external stakeholders and building strong relationships within the community.

You will be IT literate and able to ensure all documentation is accurately recorded on our bespoke systems. You will have proven experience in leading a team and supporting individuals to develop within their roles. Flexibility is essential, as the role requires working shift patterns—including evenings and weekends, within the service’s opening hours.

Benefits include an attractive defined contribution pension scheme, PayCare which offers employees affordable cover for a range of healthcare treatments; Employee Assistance Programme which includes free counselling and a comprehensive training programme.

Our people are key to the success of the organisation, and we are recognised as both Mindful Employer as well as achieving gold standard success in Investors in People.

We welcome applications from people who have experienced mental health difficulties.

Closing date for applications is Monday 15th December 2025

Interviews to take place - TBC