Mental Health Peer Mentoring Worker Jobs in Chapel Langley, Luton

Betknowmore UK is collaborating with partner organisations to work as part of a wider team, on the delivery of the Armed Forces Gambling Harms Support Network (AFGHSN). The work will include the provision of training and gambling awareness activities, helping to raise and address the subject of harmful gambling. Working and engaging with armed forces support and personnel services, individuals harmed by gambling, their wider network, stakeholders, and other relevant groups within the veteran and active armed forces communities, the aim is to create trained personnel able to support the work of the AFGHSN.​

A key aspect of the role will be working with individuals experiencing gambling harms, requiring an empathetic and compassionate approach and awareness of the complex issues being addressed. A robust management of safeguarding and safe working practices is essential.​

It is essential that you are based within one hour travelling time of London, as extensive travel to London and the UK is expected.

Role Purpose

An armed forces veteran or someone closely involved with the armed forces (a family member for example), the post holder will also have a unique insight on gambling harms, and their impact on health and wellbeing specifically within the military.

The Armed Forces Peer Aid Coordinator will initially prioritise engaging with veterans and military organisations to deliver the AFGHSN training programme, along with gambling awareness activities. The purpose is to upskill key armed forces personnel and those in connected communities, enabling and enhancing their knowledge, skills and confidence to address gambling harms. ​

The second key responsibility is to recruit, train and support Peer Supporters to deliver safe, effective support for individuals and their networks that have been harmed by gambling. It is expected that Peer Supporters will be individuals with ‘lived experience’ of gambling harm themselves or as an ‘affected other’.​

The post holder will work with the Head of Peer Support Services to support the development and maintenance of the systems and structure of the service, ensuring that governance and polices are implemented, safeguarding and safe working practices are strictly adhered to, and a clear understanding established of how the service integrates with other support and treatment networks.​

The AFGHSN Peer Aid team will ensure that the support and working relationships are safe and secure, and the health and wellbeing of all participants is intact. Peer Support will be in a befriending capacity and should be provided with a considered and transparent approach. Other support activities will be developed, such as group support and weekly meet ups.​

Stakeholder management is essential to the role, as is establishing and maintaining relationships within the AFGHSN, alongside confident communication skills to deliver presentations and other promotions within armed forces community, education and health centres to help grow and evolve the service. 

We are especially keen to receive applications from​ individuals with experience of gambling addiction​ and recovery from within the armed service with a minimum of two years abstinence.​

Please review the full Job Pack before applying with your CV and cover letter.

Previous applicants need not apply.

About us:

Community ConneX is a campaigning organisation and a multi-project service provider working across West London. We support autistic people, people with a disability, and people and families experiencing barriers to live healthier, happier, and inclusive lives. We do this by ensuring their needs, rights and aspirations are met.

Advocacy 1st is a free, independent service provided by advocates who specialise in the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and the Mental Health Act.

Location: Remote based in Oxfordshire

Key duties:

· Recruiting, training and providing ongoing support to volunteers

· Working with the children and young people to assess their service requirements

· Working with stakeholders to raise awareness and recognise and identify care leavers and young people in need of the Independent Visitors and Care Leavers service

· Looking at opportunities to engage and work with services to identify care leavers and independent visitors

· Reporting and discussing all safeguarding concerns with the service manager

· Completing initial assessments and matching volunteers to young people

· Raising the profile of the Independent Visitors and Care Leavers service

Our ideal candidate:

· Has qualifications relevant to the role

· Has experience of working with children and young people.

· Is aware of legislation such as Care Act 2014, Children and Families Act 2014, Children Act 1989, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the child (UNCRC)

· Has excellent communications and writing skills, and the ability to tailor written and verbal communications to a wide range of different audiences

· Can maintain existing relationships and develop new relationships with clients, families, colleagues and volunteers

· Can generate reports and make presentations

In return we offer a range of benefits including:

· Pension contribution up to 5%

· Death in service insurance

· Employee assistance programme

· Bluelight Card

· Cycle to work scheme

· 23 days of annual leave + bank holidays (increases after 2 years of service)

· Gym membership

· Healthcash plan

· Professional development

We are committed to safeguarding and equal opportunities, and we guarantee an interview to all applicants with disabilities meeting the minimum criteria for the post.

We also want to ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable facilities to participate in job applications or interviews to perform essential job functions. To support this, we are a Disability Confident committed employer.