Mental health peer mentoring worker jobs

Youth Project Worker

Transform the lives of  young people with learning disabilities and autism who are avoiding school . Use creativity, advocacy and relationship-building to help them articulate their needs, re-enter education and rebuild social connections.

You'll work with 35 young people with learning disabilities and autism in Coventry each year , helping them to:

• Articulate their needs and wishes through creative one-to-one advocacy and support
• Re-enter education in a way that works for them as complex individuals
• Re-build social skills and connections to protect their wellbeing and enrich their lives

These young people may be learning-disabled or autistic, in special or mainstream education, or not in education, employment or training (NEET). They include school avoiders, those on reduced timetables, and young people with unmet mental health needs. Without support, their outcomes are often bleak - but you can change that.

What You'll Do

You'll meet young people where they feel most comfortable - at times that suit them, using WhatsApp, Zoom, or face-to-face. Together, you'll:

• Create multimedia person-centred 'back to learning and community' plans using video, voice recording, photographs, artwork or graphics
• Build their confidence through weekly one-to-one sessions, with gradual group engagement on their terms
• Advocate for their views and support them to develop self-advocacy skills
• Connect them with meaningful opportunities across the city
• Work collaboratively with parents, schools, and other professionals
• Complete risk assessments, travel plans and project monitoring

A fun and creative touch is essential - you'll co-design all activities with young people, focusing on what matters to them.

About You

We're looking for someone who:

• Has experience in youth work, particularly one-to-one or small group personal and social development
• Has worked with teenagers experiencing mental health difficulties, special educational needs and disabilities
• Is creative and confident with multiple media platforms and social media
• Can help young people think broadly and creatively about their choices
• Works collaboratively with families, colleagues, and external professionals
• Has a deep listening ability - picking up on young people's signals, cues and feelings
• Is nurturing, non-judgmental and sees past first impressions
• Has tenacity and resilience with the ability to walk in young people's shoes
• Believes disabled young people should lead fulfilling lives as equal citizens

You'll need to be brilliant with young people, adaptable, and bring a flair for doing things differently. You'll have responsibility and autonomy, with the support of a strong team behind you.

Desirable: Qualifications in youth work, psychology or child and youth care; knowledge of person-centred and trauma-informed approaches.

About Grapevine

Grapevine is an award-winning charity bringing people who are marginalised into the centre of their communities. We're nationally acclaimed for our person-centred, strengths-based approach built on 30 years of curiosity and innovation.

Why work for us?

• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 8% non-contributory pension (we pay the full amount!)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Supportive culture focused on uncovering your potential
• Real impact - your work directly changes lives
• Continuous learning through reflective practice and peer learning
• Freedom with support - shape your projects but never feel alone

We're committed to diversity and inclusion, welcoming people from all backgrounds. We actively work to create a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued and able to be themselves.

The Impact

Since 2021, Next Steps has been achieving outstanding outcomes:

• 74% of young people felt more confident about school and the future
• 100% were able to do things that matter to them in a way they like
• 62% showed improved scores across every baseline area
• 34% increased school attendance within 4 months

Now it's your turn to be part of this success story.

Here at Youth4Youth, we have grown a strong, tight-knit community of individuals who are passionate about making a difference and improving the lives of young people across the UK. Our growing team, who are primarily volunteers, all contribute, significantly, to the impact that we have as a charity on our direct beneficiaries, regardless of the department that they work in of the level of time that they are able to commit. Our services primarily offer a peer-support network to young people right across the UK, allowing them to access a peer mentor who is of a similar age to them and somebody that they feel more comfortable speaking with.

If successful, you will be joining a growing team of diverse, but likeminded individuals, collaborating to increase the reach of the Charity and improve support provisions available to young people. All of our volunteers and employees are remote workers, but that doesn't stop us keeping in touch and maintaining a strong positive culture amongst our whole team.

If you are interested in applying for this role, and would like to find out more, you are welcome to join our Chairman and outgoing Volunteer CEO in one of the following informal drop-in sessions. This will provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the charity, its mission and how you may partner with the Chair to lead Youth4Youth through the next stages of its journey. Sign up is required:

• Wednesday 26th November - 12:00pm
• Wednesday 26th November - 6:00pm
• Friday 5th December - 12:00pm
• Friday 5th December - 6:00pm

Contact us directly to be added to one of these sessions, or sign up via our direct recruitment page.

About the role

We are seeking a transformational and visionary Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) to lead a national youth focused organisation, dedicated to promoting peer-led early intervention support for those in need. The successful candidate will be the first employed leader, propelling Youth4Youth from its robust foundations to the next stages of its development. The CEO will be responsible for turning our recently developed, yet ambitious, strategy into reality. This role provides an exceptional opportunity to make a significant and lasting impact from the outset.

Youth4Youth has secured funding to appoint a CEO for one year, with the expectation that the appointed leader will focus on securing long-term sustainable funding, thereby transitioning this position into a permanent role at the end of the fixed-term period. Additionally, the CEO will facilitate the appointment of further roles to support our mission as further funding becomes available.

Responsibilities 

• Collaborate with the Chair of the Board and Trustees to establish and execute organisational strategy in alignment with the charity’s vision, mission, and objectives. This includes ensuring effective governance and legal compliance, and providing sound, evidence-based recommendations to the Board of Trustees.
• Champion continuous improvement, ensuring Youth4Youth remains a leading provider of youth-led early intervention wellbeing services. Identify and develop opportunities to expand the charity's reach and impact across the UK.
• Oversee effective financial management, ensuring the organisation can continue delivering its services efficiently. Lead the development of sustainable funding streams, enhance fundraising strategies, foster partnerships, and drive growth in commercial activities.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships within and beyond our sector to maximise partnership opportunities. Explore the delivery and co-delivery of commissioned services and access broader funding sources previously untapped by the charity.
• Ensure that youth perspectives are central to decision-making processes about the charity's future. Establish systems to continuously gather input and feedback from our target beneficiaries.

This position offers the chance to advance an organisation with solid foundations, enhancing its reach and impact across the UK through a volunteer executive leadership team and a growing network of approximately 100 volunteers nationwide. The CEO will be instrumental in crafting a strategic vision that translates into operational success, building and strengthening partnerships across the four nations, developing sustainable funding streams, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality services.

Skills 

• Exhibit a profound passion for Youth4Youth's mission and demonstrate a strong commitment to enhancing the impact of our services.
• Possess substantial experience in senior and/or strategic leadership roles, with proven abilities to both develop and implement organisational strategies.
• Have the capacity to influence effectively, both internally and externally.
• Are action-oriented and adaptable to the demands of a dynamic and growing organisation, with the ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently.
• Excel in a fast-paced and varied work environment.
• Show a strong commitment to good governance and compliance.
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, along with exceptional interpersonal abilities.
• Embrace inclusivity in all aspects of their work, demonstrating approachability, active listening, and empathy towards others.

While prior experience in youth-led or youth-focused organisations is not mandatory, candidates must demonstrate passion for our mission and an understanding of our strategy. Experience working with young people is preferred but not required.

Benefits of working with Youth4Youth

• 28 days paid holiday, plus public holidays (pro-rata)
• Remote working, with flexibility allowed
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme, Health Cash Plan & Life Assurance
• Defined contribution pension with a 6% employer contribution
• Access to a range of discounts via charity partner platforms

The hiring process

1. Pre-application information sessions (Optional)
2. Application Deadline: 19th December 2025
3. First round interviews to be conducted in early January 2026
4. Second round interview (including a presentation)

Please let us know if you require any accommodations for the interview process, and we’ll do our best to assist.

Role: Chief Executive Officer

Reports to: Chair of the Board of Trustees

Salary: £60,000 p.a. (pro-rata)

Hours of work: 20 hours per week (Part-time, 0.5FTE)

Location: Remote, with travel required

Contract type: 1 year fixed term contract, with potential to become permanent

Note: Right to work in the UK is required to be able to apply for this position