Peer Support Worker (Living Well, Erewash)
Do you have lived experience of mental health difficulties that you could use to improve mental health outcomes for people across the Erewash area and their communities?
Peer Support Workers are people who have lived experience of mental health problems or challenges themselves. They use these experiences and empathy to support other people and their families receiving mental health services’ support. Peer Support Workers join other members of someone’s care team to help support their wellbeing and provide inspiration, support, and motivation for their recovery.
This is a unique and exciting opportunity to work in partnership with voluntary sector, NHS, and social care colleagues to truly make a difference to the future of mental health support offered in Derbyshire.
You can find out more about the Living Well Derbyshire model and service here: https://livingwellderbyshire.org.uk/
The Role
Role Title: Peer Support Worker (Living Well Derbyshire)Hours: 18 hours per week (part-time, working days to be agreed can be flexible)Salary: £24,919.88 per annum (pro rata)Contract: Fixed term contract – until 31st March 2027 (potential to extend for a further subject to funding)Reports to: Senior Support Worker and Services Lead (Living Well Derbyshire)As Peer Support Worker, you will be part of the VCSE (voluntary, community, and social enterprise) workforce embedded within the Living Well team for the Erewash service. As a key member of the team, and alongside partners, your role will entail supporting people who are experiencing mental health problems, and their families, within their local community.The successful candidate will be able to draw on lived experience to support, encourage and motivate. They will also be able to communicate effectively and build trusting relationships with people experiencing mental health difficulties.Key Responsibilities include:- To support, provide companionship and encouragement to people experiencing mental health difficulties.
- Using your own lived experience of mental health difficulties and recovery journey to connect with a person to offer emotional and practical support, giving them a sense of hope and supporting them to gain a sense of control over their lives.
- Modelling personal responsibility, self-awareness, self-belief, self-advocacy, and hopefulness.
- Support introductions and initial conversations to the service, providing peer support and engagement.
- Provide emotional and practical support to individuals on a 1:1 or group basis - building confidence and skills and grow their ability to self-manage their mental wellbeing.
- Support individuals to access appropriate community services or groups e.g., housing advice, debt support, education, etc.
How to Apply:
- Please read through the Job Description and Person Specification attached.
- If you would like to apply for the role please e-mail your completed Application Form to: community@derbyshiremind.org.uk.
- Please quote the job title and your name in the subject line of the email and confirm that you have a driving license and access to your own vehicle within the email. Please also include a completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form.
When Completing Your Application Form:
- Applicants should use the criteria listed in the Person Specification to structure their ‘Supporting Information’ section on their Application Form.
- To be most successful, applicants should take each criteria in turn, and demonstrate their experience, knowledge, and abilities in that area.
- The shortlisting panel will score applications based on the information the application has provided, and how it meets the listed criteria.
- No assumptions about an applicant’s skills or experience can be made. The panel can only score your application based on what has been written.
- If an applicant perhaps feels they don’t have direct experience of the required criteria, they should think about what transferable skills they might have from other areas of their life, as this can all be considered.
For an Informal Conversation about the Role before Applying:
- Please email community@derbyshiremind.org.uk to arrange a time for a phone call.
Closing Date for Applications:
- Please send your email containing your completed Application Form before the closing date of: Sunday 11th October 2026 at 11.59pm
Invitation for Interview Email:
- You will be notified by the 18th October 2026 if you have been shortlisted and invited for interview. Please look out for an email from us, including checking your Junk Inbox. Not receiving an email means you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.
Interview Date:
- Interviews will be held face to face at Derbyshire Mind’s offices in Mackworth, Derby ideally during the week commencing Monday 26th October 2026. Your interview time will be confirmed in the interview invite. You will be required to confirm your attendance by return email.
This post is subject to a criminal records check with the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Derbyshire Mind aims to be an Equal Opportunities Employer.
About Derbyshire Mind:
Derbyshire Mind is a local independent mental health charity within the national Mind network. Our focus is on improving mental health and wellbeing for people across Derby and Derbyshire. We provide a range of advocacy and community mental wellbeing services designed to support people with mental health problems as well as the wider population. We have over 50 years’ experience of working locally, supporting people in Derby and Derbyshire to maintain good mental health.
Do find out more by taking a look around our website.
Our Vision:
For everyone in Derbyshire to have good mental wellbeing and to live their best life.
Our Values:
WORKING TOGETHER: We work alongside others for the greater good.
LEARNING TOGETHER: We always aim to do things better.
EMPOWERING: We support people to fulfil their potential.
RESPECTFUL: We don’t judge, we treat others as equals.
POSITIVE: We are progressive and focus on solutions.